Gaocao Hui Ethnic Town in Xichang City, Liangshan

Gaochao Hui Ethnic Township凉山州西昌市高草回族乡 is located in Xichang City (西昌市), Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture (凉山彝族自治州), Sichuan Province (四川省). It is situated in the southwestern part of Xichang City, bordered by Jingjiu Township (经久乡) to the east across the river, Youjun Town (佑君镇) to the south, Mopai, Maan Mountain (磨盘、马鞍山), and Kaiyuan Yi Townships (开源) to the west, and Yulong Township (裕隆乡) to the north. The township covers an area of 33.56 square kilometers. As of the end of 2019, the registered population was 14,213.

Historical Background

  • October 1953: Gaochao Township was established.
  • October 1958: Merged with Hexi and Xinhe Townships to form Hexi Commune.
  • 1961: Gaochao Commune was re-established.
  • April 1978: Incorporated into Yulong Commune.
  • February 1979: Gaochao Commune was re-established.
  • July 1983: The commune was reformed into a township.
  • May 1989: Merged into Yangjiaoba Hui Ethnic Township.
  • December 1999: Gaochao Hui Ethnic Township was re-established.

Administrative Division

  • End of 2011: Gaochao Hui Ethnic Township was divided into 7 village committees: Jinzhu (金竹), Zhuangbao (庄堡), Chenbao (谌堡), Chengbao (城堡), Gaochao (高草), Zhonghe (中河), and Dazhuang (大庄), with a total of 57 villager groups.
  • June 2020: The township comprised 4 administrative villages: Gaochao Village, Dazhuang Village, Jinzhu Village, and Yangjiaoba Village. The township government is located in the second group of Zhonghe Village.

Geographic Environment

Location

Gaochao Hui Ethnic Township is located in the southwestern part of Xichang City, bordered by Jingjiu Township to the east across the river, Youjun Town to the south, Mopai, Maan Mountain, and Kaiyuan Yi Townships to the west, and Yulong Township to the north. The area covers 33.56 square kilometers.

Terrain and Topography

The highest point in Gaochao Township is Maomaoshi (猫猫石) in Chenbao Village, with an elevation of 1,635 meters. The lowest point is Liujiaci (刘家祠) in Dazhuang Village, with an elevation of 1,515 meters.

Climate

Gaochao Hui Ethnic Township has a subtropical monsoon climate, characterized by rainy summers, dry winters, distinct seasons, and abundant sunlight. The average annual temperature is 17°C, with a frost-free period of about 275 days. The average annual sunshine duration is 2,413 hours, and the average annual precipitation is 1,013 millimeters, with the majority of rainfall occurring from June to August.

Hydrology

The Anning River (安宁河) flows along the boundary of Gaochao Township from north to south and is the largest river in the area, spanning 3.6 kilometers within the township. The Daxi River (大西河) originates from the water intake in Taihe Town (太和镇) on the Anning River and flows through Jinzhu, Chengbao, Zhuangbao, and Dazhuang villages. Other small rivers include the Daxi River, Maomaoshi Mountain River (猫猫石山河), Jiulongyan Ditch (九龙堰沟), Xiaojiadian River (肖家碾河), and Muqiao River (木桥河).

Natural Disasters

Gaochao Hui Ethnic Township is prone to natural disasters such as floods, droughts, and geological hazards. Floods occur on average twice a year, mainly from June to September. The most severe flood occurred in 1998 when mountain floods in Maomaoshi caused extensive damage to two villages, resulting in significant economic losses.

Natural Resources

In 2011, Gaochao Township discovered rare metal minerals in Chenbao Village.

Population

  • End of 2011: The total population was 13,881, with 565 urban residents, giving an urbanization rate of 4.1%. There were also 2,500 floating residents. The population distribution was as follows: 7,079 males (51%), 6,802 females (49%); 2,776 people under 14 years (20%); 8,328 people aged 15-64 (60%); and 2,777 people aged 65 and over (20%). The ethnic composition included Han and Hui as the main groups, with Han being 9,809 (70.7%) and Hui 3,912 (28.2%), along with other ethnic minorities such as Yi, Tibetan, and Mongolian.
  • End of 2019: The registered population was 14,213.

Transportation

  • 2011: Gaochao Hui Ethnic Township had one township road and six village roads connecting the villages, totaling 16.8 kilometers.

Origin of the Place Name

According to local legend, the Anning River originally flowed along the foot of Yaks Mountain, passing through the current Zhuangbao Village. During the Ming Dynasty (1522–1566), a mountain flood altered the river’s course, filling the original riverbed with sediment and overgrown reeds. This led to the area being named “Gaochao,” meaning “Tall Reeds,” or “Gaochao Dam.”

Travel Tips

  • Getting There: To reach Gaochao Hui Ethnic Township, you can fly into Xichang’s Qingshan Airport, which has flights connecting to major cities such as Chengdu. From the airport, you can take a taxi or a local bus to the township.
  • Local Transportation: Within Gaochao, consider renting a bicycle or a small vehicle to explore the area, as public transportation options may be limited.
  • Accommodation: Options in Gaochao Township may be limited. It is advisable to stay in Xichang City, where you can find a range of accommodations from budget to luxury.
  • Best Time to Visit: Spring and autumn are ideal for visiting due to the mild temperatures and lower chance of rain. Avoid summer if you prefer to steer clear of heavy rains.