1. Overview

Binchuan County lies in the eastern foothills of the Cangshan Mountains, bordering Xiaguan (Dali New Town) to the southwest and Heqing/Yongsheng counties to the north.

 

Area: 2,627 km²

 

Population: 341,319 (2020 census)

 

County Seat: Jinniu Town (金牛镇)

 

Timezone: China Standard Time (UTC+8)

 

2. Geography & Climate

Topography:

 

Mount Jizu (鸡足山), a 3,000 m sacred Buddhist peak, dominates the western skyline.

 

The Dadan River, rising in the southwest, cuts deep valleys and drains into the Jinsha (upper Yangtze) River

 

Elevation: 1,300 – 3,000 m

 

Climate:

 

Köppen Cwa (warm temperate humid subtropical)

 

Mild, dry winters; warm, wet summers

 

Annual mean temperature ≈ 15 – 17 °C

 

Annual precipitation ≈ 900 – 1,100 mm, concentrated May–October

 

3. Administrative Divisions

Binchuan administers 8 towns and 2 ethnic townships:

 

Towns:

 

Jinniu (金牛镇)

 

Binju (宾居镇)

 

Daying (大营镇)

 

Zhoucheng (州城镇)

 

Jizushan (鸡足山镇)

 

Lijiao (力角镇)

 

Pingchuan (平川镇)

 

Qiaodian (乔甸镇)

 

Ethnic Townships:

 

Zhongying Lisu & Yi (钟英傈僳族彝族乡)

 

Lawu Yi (拉乌彝族乡)

 

4. Demographics & Ethnic Composition

Total Population: 341,319 (2020)

Urban vs. Rural: ~105,600 urban; ~235,700 rural

 

Major Ethnic Groups:

 

Bai: ~45,000 (≈13%)—traditional inhabitants of Dali region

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Han: “Guests from Sichuan,” whose migration gave Binchuan its Chinese name

 

Lisu: ~250 individuals in Zhongying Township

 

Yi and Guola (Nipu): small communities in mountain villages

 

5. Economy & Agriculture

Agriculture:

 

Tea: High-mountain Cangshan tea and Jizushan black tea

 

Tobacco and corn in river valleys

 

Fruit orchards: peaches, apples, walnuts on mid-slopes

 

Tourism:

 

Mount Jizu attracts Buddhist pilgrims and hikers

 

Chicken-Foot Mountain (Jizushan): ancient temples and alpine meadows

 

Light Industry: Food processing, wood products, and tea factories

 

6. Culture & Festivals

Mount Jizu Pilgrimage: Annual circuit around 12 temples, especially during Qingming (April)

 

Bai Third-Month Fair (三月街): revived in Zhoucheng—folk markets, boat races on Dadan River

 

Yi Torch Festival: Bonfire dances and goat-fighting displays in Yi villages

 

7. Key Attractions

Mount Jizu Scenic Area

 

Over 50 temples and monasteries built into cliffs and ridges, with panoramic views of Erhai Lake and Cangshan.

 

Dadan River Gorge

 

Scenic hiking and rafting through limestone gorges and waterfalls.

 

Jizushan Ancient Pine Woods

 

Alpine forests of Picea and Abies, with spring blossoms and autumn colors.

 

Zhoucheng Old Town

 

Historic Bai courtyards, drum towers, and traditional wooden bridges.

 

8. Transportation

Roads:

 

Provincial Road S228 links Binchuan to Xiaguan (Dali) in ≈ 1.5 hrs.

 

County roads serve all towns and scenic spots.

 

Rail & Air:

 

Nearest high-speed rail at Dali Station (~1 hr)

 

Dali Fengyi Airport (DLU), ~2 hrs by road

 

9. Education & Public Services

Binchuan Normal School and several vocational institutes focus on hospitality and tea-cultivation training.

 

Healthcare centers in Jinniu and Zhoucheng provide basic medical services to rural townships.

 

10. Conclusion

Binchuan County blends sacred Buddhist peaks, deep river gorges, and a multi-ethnic tapestry into an off-the-beaten-path Yunnan destination. From the pilgrim trails of Mount Jizu to the hidden villages of the Yi and Lisu, visitors encounter both ancient traditions and modern rural revitalization against the backdrop of one of China’s most dramatic highland landscapes.