Lajing Town of Lanping County, Nujiang

Geographical Location and Administrative Divisions: Lajing Town is located in the middle of Lantsang Bai and Pumi Autonomous County, Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province. It is situated between 99°10′ – 99°23′ E and 26°18′ – 26°41′ N, connecting Dian and Jinding to the east, Tuo’e to the south, Yingpan to the west, and Shideng to the north. The town covers an area of 508.47 square kilometers and has nine village committees, 78 natural villages, 103 villager groups, and a population of 16,420 (as of 2017).

Cultural Characteristics: Lajing Town is a multi-ethnic settlement, primarily inhabited by Bai, Pumi, Lisu, Yi, and Han ethnic groups. The Bai people make up 59.7% of the population, while the Lisu people account for 35.7%, and other ethnic groups make up 4.6%. The town is rich in cultural heritage, with notable sites such as the Yang Yuke Family Shrine Complex, a provincial-level cultural protection unit.

Economic Development: Lajing Town is known for its salt production, with a history dating back to the Tongzhi period of the Qing Dynasty. The town is also rich in forest resources, with a forest coverage rate of 78%, making it one of the towns with better forest vegetation in the county. The town’s economy is primarily based on agriculture, with crops such as rice, corn, and wheat. It is also a significant commodity grain production base in the county. Additionally, the town is rich in mineral resources, particularly copper, which is of high quality and in large reserves.

Historical Evolution: Lajing Town has a rich history. The name “Lajing” originated in the fourth year of the Tongzhi reign during the Qing Dynasty (1865), when troops were stationed there. Before 1913, the area belonged to Lijiang County and was known as Shanhou Li. After the establishment of Lanping County, it was renamed Xin Hua Li. In 1919, it was designated as the third district. The town has undergone several administrative changes and was officially established as Lajing Town in 1987.

Tourist Resources: Lajing Town is well-preserved, with 78% forest coverage and rich biological species. It is a natural green ecological paradise. Fuhe Mountain is a green pearl, which belongs to the core area of Yunling, a world natural heritage site with three parallel rivers, with an average altitude of 2,900 meters. The town also has its own ancient salt mine development site, Yanma ancient road culture, natural hot spring, Taoshu Lake, and other tourist attractions.

Lajing Town, with its unique geographical location, rich ethnic culture, and diverse economic development model, stands as a distinctive and vibrant town in Lantsang County.