Overview

Honghe County (红河县) is located in the southern part of Honghe Prefecture, Yunnan Province, and sits along the upper reaches of the Red River (Honghe River), from which it gets its name. As a predominantly mountainous county rich in ethnic diversity—especially Hani communities—it is known for its majestic rice terraces, intact forest ecosystems, and deep-rooted intangible cultural heritage.

 

With a strong emphasis on environmental conservation and cultural preservation, Honghe County is regarded as one of Yunnan’s most authentic expressions of ethnic rural life and traditional agriculture.

 

Geography and Climate

Area: Approx. 2,000 square kilometers

 

Location:

 

South of Honghe Prefecture

 

Borders Yuanyang County to the west and Jinping County to the south

 

Topography:

 

Rugged mountains and deep river valleys

 

Average altitude around 1,200–2,300 meters

 

Climate:

 

Subtropical monsoon climate

 

Mild temperatures year-round

 

Annual average temperature: ~18°C

 

Rainfall: 1,200–1,500 mm, mostly in summer

 

The vertical geography gives rise to layered ecological zones, enabling rice, corn, tea, and tropical fruits to coexist within the same county.

 

Population and Ethnic Composition

Total Population: ~280,000

 

Ethnic Groups:

 

Hani (majority)

 

Yi, Yao, Miao, Dai, Han, and others

 

Over 80% of the population belongs to ethnic minorities

 

Honghe County is one of the core cultural areas of the Hani ethnic group, maintaining distinct language, rituals, festivals, and farming customs

 

Cultural Heritage and Attractions

�� Terraced Fields of Hani People

Spanning across villages such as Chegu, Panzhihua, and Dazhai, the rice terraces are a continuation of the Honghe Hani Cultural Landscape recognized by UNESCO

 

Unlike Yuanyang’s grand-scale terraces, Honghe’s are more remote, less commercialized, and deeply integrated into local village life

 

Perfect for cultural eco-tourism, photography, and agritourism

 

��️ Ethnic Villages and Traditions

Dayangjie (大羊街) and Chegu (车古) preserve traditional mushroom-shaped Hani houses, communal water systems, and ancestral halls

 

Traditional fire pits, bamboo weaving, and ritual dances are part of daily life

 

Local festivals like:

 

Kuzhazha Festival – to worship mountain gods and pray for good harvests

 

Angmatu – Hani New Year, marked by singing, dancing, and communal feasts

 

Villagers maintain Hani oral literature, multivoice choral songs, and shamanic rituals

 

��️ Natural Attractions

Honghe River Valley: Steep river gorges, subtropical biodiversity, and ancient trade paths

 

Laojizhai Nature Reserve: Forested highlands that host rare bird species, orchids, and medicinal plants

 

Hot Springs and Waterfalls in mountainous areas, offering potential for eco-resorts and wellness tourism

 

Economy

Agriculture is the backbone of the county:

 

Rice terraces, corn, tea, sugarcane, and tropical fruits like bananas and papayas

 

Recently introduced organic farming and ethnic-featured specialty products

 

Traditional crafts: Hand-woven Hani clothing, bamboo baskets, and herbal products

 

Tourism development:

 

Community-based cultural and eco-tourism is growing steadily

 

Low-density, experience-rich rural tourism preferred over mass development

 

Modernization and Rural Development

Honghe County is undergoing rural revitalization focused on:

 

Infrastructure improvements (roads, electricity, digital connectivity)

 

Education support for ethnic children

 

Preservation of Hani cultural systems through tourism, e-commerce, and government aid

 

Participates in poverty alleviation and UNDP-backed sustainable farming projects

 

Transportation

Though remote and mountainous, Honghe County is gradually improving access:

 

Highways connect the county to Yuanyang, Jianshui, and Gejiu

 

Rural roads bring visitors into scenic and cultural villages

 

Nearest high-speed rail station: Jianshui or Mengzi (approx. 3–4 hours’ drive)

 

No airport within the county; Honghe Mengzi Airport (under construction) will enhance future accessibility

 

Administrative Divisions

Composed of several ethnic townships, town centers, and administrative villages

 

County seat located in Yisa Town (一洒镇) – administrative and commercial hub

 

Strong emphasis on village autonomy and ethnic self-governance

 

Conclusion

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