Zhaotong

History

Zhaotong has historic and cultural links to the Shu (Sichuan Basin) region. Yi people consider Zhaotong to be their homeland (called Zizipuwu). Zhaotong was part of Zhuti County (朱提縣) from the Han to Tang dynasties. Zhaotong belonged to the Nanzhao then Dali Kingdom until the Mongols destroyed the latter in the 13th century. During the Yuan Dynasty, it became the Wumeng Commandery (乌蒙路), during which time many Hui Muslims settled in the area. During the Qing dynasty, local tusi chieftains were removed, and the region was renamed Zhaotong Prefecture.

Climate

Influenced by the low latitude and moderate elevation, Zhaotong has a temperate subtropical highland climate (Köppen Cwb), with cool, dry winters, and warm, humid summers. Temperatures frequently drop below freezing at night in winter, though the days warm up to around 10 °C. Conversely, in summer, average highs rise to 25 °C. A great majority of the year's rainfall occurs from May to September. |Jan record high C = 24.7 |Jan record low C = −9.1 |Feb record high C = 27.0 |Feb record low C = −8.7 |Mar record high C = 30.3 |Mar record low C = −6.9 |Apr record high C = 31.6 |Apr record low C = −2.7 |May record high C = 33.6 |May record low C = −0.1 |Jun record high C = 33.5 |Jun record low C = 5.8 |Jul record high C = 32.7 |Jul record low C = 7.5 |Aug record high C = 32.0 |Aug record low C = 7.0 |Sep record high C = 33.3 |Sep record low C = 3.6 |Oct record high C = 28.5 |Oct record low C = −0.8 |Nov record high C = 25.4 |Nov record low C = −5.5 |Dec record high C = 23.2 |Dec record low C = −10.4 | script-title=zh:昭通 - 气象数据 -中国天气网 | access-date = 21 November 2022}}

Population

Demography

The prefecture, almost exclusively agricultural, is one of the poorest in China, which led the authorities to encourage young people to migrate to eastern and southern parts of China to find work. For the year 2003, the number of emigrants was 650,000.

The government wanted the number to increase by 50,000 in 2004.

Religion

It is the seat of the Latin Catholic Apostolic Prefecture of Zhaotong.

Language

The local Zhaotong dialect is a variety of Southwestern Mandarin that has been influenced to some extent by the local Yi and Miao languages. It has its own unique features while also showing characteristics of northern Chinese dialects. The dialect has four tone categories: Tone 1, Tone 2, Tone 3, and Tone 4.

Food

Potato rice（洋芋饭）: Potatoes (potatoes) and rice are cooked together. It is soft, sticky and fragrant. It is a common home-cooked staple food for locals.

Chicken stewed with Gastrodia elata（天麻炖鸡）: A specialty of Zhaotong, chicken stewed with Gastrodia elata has a clear and delicious soup with nourishing effects.

Economy

The main industries in the prefecture are mining, tobacco and cement manufacturing

Zhaotong has some of the largest lignite sources in China. The 18,000-capacity Yuanbaoshan Stadium is also located in the city. It hosts many events, for example athletic events such as soccer matches.

Transport

• Zhaotong Airport (ZAT), flight destination to Kunming, Chengdu, Chongqing, Beijing, Guiyang
• Train service to Kunming, Chengdu, Guangzhou
• Zhaotong is connected to the Chongqing-Kunming National Highway network.
• China National Highway 213
• G85 Yinchuan–Kunming Expressway

Zhaotong has several bridges over the Jinsha River, an upstream section of the Yangtze.

Administrative divisions

Ethnicity

Among the resident population, the Han population is 4,683,478, accounting for 89.83% of the total population; the ethnic minorities population is 530,055, accounting for 10.17% of the total population.

References

• Zhaotong Community Development Program - Norwegian Embassy

References

1. 云南省统计局、国家统计局云南调查总队. (December 2023). "《云南统计年鉴－2023》". [[China Statistics Press]].
2. "(云南省)昭通市2024年国民经济和社会发展统计公报-红黑统计公报库".
3. link. [[China Meteorological Administration]]
4. Yunnan Provincial Census Office, Yunnan Provincial Bureau of Statistics. (September 2012). ""Yunnan Provincial Census Data in 2010"". China Statistics Press.