Overview

Xichou County lies in the southeastern corner of Wenshan Prefecture, bordering Vietnam to the south. Its county seat is Xisa Town (西洒镇). Covering an area of 1,545 km² and home to 203,630 residents as of the 2020 census, Xichou is a compact, multi‑ethnic county that has undergone a remarkable ecological transformation in recent years

 

Geography & Climate

Topography: Averaging 1,200–1,700 m above sea level, Xichou features rolling karst hills, stony‑desert plateaus, and pockets of fertile basins.

 

Climate: Located in a subtropical low‑latitude monsoon zone, Xichou enjoys mild winters and warm, humid summers. The annual mean temperature is 15.9 °C, with a frost‑free period of 340–362 days and average yearly rainfall of 1,252 mm, concentrated between May and October

 

Administrative Divisions & Population

2 Towns: Xisa (西洒镇), Xingjie (兴街镇)

 

7 Townships: Fadou (法斗乡), Dongma (董马乡), Jijie (鸡街乡), plus 4 others

 

Population: Approximately 203,630.

 

Ethnic Composition: A rich tapestry of Han, Zhuang, Miao, Yao, Yi, and Luo subgroups (e.g., Flowery Luo, Black Luo), reflecting centuries of cultural intermingling

 

Ecological Restoration & Green Development

Since 2012, Xichou has pioneered a “stony desert to karst oasis” strategy:

 

Afforestation of 20,000 ha of wasteland and 15,333 ha of closed mountains

 

Forest coverage now exceeds 100,667 ha (≈55% of county area)

 

Management of 423 km² of karst terrain and 247 km² of formerly desertified land

 

Designated in 2021 as a national innovation base for ecological protection (“lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets”)

 

Agriculture & Specialty Industries

Panax Notoginseng: In Lianhuatang Town, large‑scale, standardized cultivation has turned Xichou into a key node in Wenshan’s biopharma industry. As of 2022, Wenshan’s Panax notoginseng area exceeded 153,000 ha, with bases around Xichou contributing significantly to a 31 billion ¥ output value

 

Organic Fruit & Kiwifruit: In Sanguang Village, dragon‑fruit and high‑altitude kiwifruit plantations provide sustainable incomes for hundreds of households.

 

Grain & Vegetables: Consolidation of terraces and improved irrigation guarantee food security, while plateau lakes support carp and shrimp aquaculture

 

Key Attractions

Sanguang Village (三广村)

– A flagship of Xichou’s ecological revival: terraced fields, stone embankments, and restored woodlands now surround a once‑barren hamlet.

 

Lianhuatang Panax Notoginseng Base

– Visitors can tour standardized ginseng fields, learn about biopharmaceutical processing, and experience rural revitalization firsthand

 

Karst Plateaus & “Stony Desert” Landscapes

– Scenic drives through stark, rocky ridges juxtaposed with verdant belts of new forest offer striking photo‑ops and geopark‑style experiences.

 

Transportation

Road: Provincial highways connect Xichou with Wenshan City (~2 hrs) and Jinping County to the south.

 

Rail: Nearest service via Wenshan–Guangzhou line at Wenshan Airport Station.

 

Air: Wenshan Yanshan Airport (WNH) lies just 6 km from Xichou’s center, handling over 268,000 passengers in 2021

 

 

Conclusion

Xichou County exemplifies how innovative land management, ethnic cooperation, and specialty agriculture can convert a fragile karst “stone desert” into a thriving green economy. From its multi‑ethnic heritage to its high‑value Panax notoginseng fields and spectacular karst vistas, Xichou offers both a model of sustainable development and a unique frontier for cultural‑ecotourism.