1. Overview

Yongping County lies in the central–southern part of Dali Prefecture, bordering Binchuan to the west, Xiaguan (Dali City) to the southwest, Midu to the southeast, and Weishan to the north.

 

Area: approximately 2,884 km²

 

Population: about 175,000 (2010 census)

 

County Seat: Bonan Town (博南镇)

 

Postal Code: 672600; Area Code: 0872

 

2. Geography & Climate

Topography: Rolling hills, plateau basins and karst outcrops at elevations from 1,700 m to 2,200 m.

 

Climate: Subtropical highland monsoon climate, with mild, dry winters and warm, rainy summers.

 

Average annual temperature: ~16 °C

 

Annual rainfall: ~900–1,200 mm, concentrated May–October

 

3. Administrative Divisions

Yongping administers 3 towns, 1 township, and 3 Yi ethnic townships:

 

Towns:

 

Bonan (博南镇)

 

Shanyang (杉阳镇)

 

Longjie (龙街镇)

 

Township:

 

Longmen Township (龙门乡)

 

Ethnic Townships:

 

Beidou Yi (北斗彝族乡)

 

Changjie Yi (厂街彝族乡)

 

Shuixie Yi (水泄彝族乡)

 

4. Demographics & Ethnic Composition

Yongping is a multi-ethnic county with over 20 groups, including Bai, Han, Yi, Miao, Hui, and Lisu. Bai culture remains influential in towns like Bonan and Longjie

 

5. Economy & Agriculture

Agriculture: Upland rice, maize, tobacco, and vegetables dominate the plains and terraces.

 

Specialties:

 

Yongping fermented soybean (豆豉) and stew chicken (炖鸡) are local culinary trademarks.

 

Chestnuts and walnuts from valley orchards.

 

Industry & Services: Food processing, tea production, and a growing eco-tourism sector centered on cultural and natural sites.

 

6. Culture & Heritage

Southwest Silk Road: Yongping preserves over 100 km of the ancient trade route, visible along the Bonan Ancient Road.

 

Neolithic Legacy: The Xinguang Neolithic Site (3700–4000 BP) attests to early human settlement in the region

 

Folklore & Festivals: Torch Festival (Yi), March Street (Bai), and local clan temple fairs.

 

7. Key Attractions

Xinguang Neolithic Site

 

Jinguang Temple (金光寺) – historic Buddhist monastery

 

Baotaishan National Forest Park (宝台山) – evergreen woodlands and panoramic viewpoints

 

Qudong Hot Spring (曲东温泉) – geothermal baths in a mountain valley

 

Yuhuangge Pavilion (玉皇阁) and Laojiangpo Cliff Inscriptions

 

8. Transportation

Highway: Provincial roads link Yongping with Xiaguan (Dali) in ≈ 1.5 hrs and Midu in ≈ 1 hr.

 

Bus: Regular county-wide and intercity bus services.

 

Nearest Rail/Air: Dali Fengyi Airport and Dali Railway Station (Xiaguan) are accessible via bus or car.

 

Conclusion

Yongping County combines ancient heritage, Bai-Yi multicultural life, and scenic highland landscapes. Its blend of archaeological sites, ethnic villages, and natural hot springs makes it an emerging destination for cultural eco-tourism in Dali Prefecture.