Gugan Shui Ethnic Town in Fuyuan County, Qujing

Gugan Shui Ethnic Town in Fuyuan County, Qujing

Overview

Gugan Shui Ethnic Township (古敢水族乡) is located in the southeastern part of Fuyuan County (富源县), Qujing City (曲靖市), Yunnan Province (云南省). It borders Muxia Street (木贾街道) and Wusha Town (乌沙镇) in Xingyi City (兴义市), Guizhou Province (贵州省) to the east and south, Huangnihe Town (黄泥河镇) to the west, and Qingshuihe Town (清水河镇) and Weishe Town (威舍镇) in Xingyi City to the north. The township is situated 135 kilometers from the county seat. The total area of Gugan Shui Ethnic Township is 82.6 square kilometers. As of the end of 2019, the registered population was 16,718 people.

Transportation

Getting There:

By Car: Gugan Shui Ethnic Township is accessible by car from Qujing City. The drive takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. The main route is via National Road G326.
By Train: The closest railway station is the Daqiao Railway Station (大田边铁路站), which is about 20 kilometers away from the township. The station is serviced by several daily trains, including express trains and high-speed trains. The daily passenger volume is around 40 people.
Local Transport: Within the township, local transportation includes buses and taxis. Gugan Passenger Station (古敢客运站) serves as the central transport hub for the area.

Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit is during the spring and autumn months when the weather is mild and pleasant. Avoid visiting during the peak rainy season from May to August.
Local Cuisine: Don’t miss out on local specialties such as spicy Shui ethnic dishes and traditional snacks.
Accommodation: Basic accommodation is available in the township. Booking in advance is recommended during peak travel times.
Local Festivals: If possible, visit during local festivals to experience traditional Shui ethnic performances and cultural activities.

History and Development

Gugan Shui Ethnic Township was established in February 1988 during the administrative reform of the district and township. The township was formed by separating Gugan, Shaying, and Buzhang from Huangnihe District (黄泥河区). In 2020, Gugan Shui Ethnic Township managed three administrative villages: Gugan Village (古敢村), Shaying Village (沙营村), and Buzhang Village (补掌村).

Historical Timeline

February 1988: Gugan, Shaying, and Buzhang were separated from Huangnihe District to form Gugan Shui Ethnic Township.
June 2020: The township continues to govern the three administrative villages.

Administrative Divisions

As of late 2011, Gugan Shui Ethnic Township was divided into the following three village committees:

Gugan Village
Shaying Village
Buzhang Village

The township government is located at 240 Gugan Street (古敢大街240号), Gugan Village.

Geography

Location

Gugan Shui Ethnic Township is situated in the southeastern part of Fuyuan County, bordering several towns in Guizhou Province. It is 135 kilometers from the county seat.

Terrain and Landforms

The township features a varied topography with steep rocky mountains, terraced earth hills, and mountain valleys. The highest point is Mount Chexian Dahei (扯鲜大黑山) at an elevation of 1,830.1 meters, while the lowest point is the Te Tumu Lang River (特土木浪河) at 100 meters above sea level.

Climate

Gugan Shui Ethnic Township has an average annual temperature of 16°C. January averages 1°C, while July averages 28°C. The area experiences an average annual rainfall of 1,500 millimeters, with the highest rainfall in June. Frost-free days average 333 per year. The region has a diverse climate with distinct wet and dry periods.

Hydrology

The primary rivers in the township include:

Huangnihe River (黄泥河): A second-grade river, 12 kilometers long.
Buzhang River (补掌河) and Muliang River (木浪河): Third-grade rivers, totaling 25 kilometers in length.
Total Length: The combined river length is 37 kilometers with a density of 0.5 kilometers per square kilometer.

Natural Disasters

Gugan Shui Ethnic Township is prone to natural disasters such as droughts, floods, and landslides. Floods occur approximately every three years, with the most severe event recorded on July 26, 2009. Landslides occur about once every five years, with a major landslide occurring on June 11, 2008.

Population

As of late 2011, the registered population was 16,000, with an urban population of 2,810 and a rural population of 13,190. The ethnic composition includes Shui (水族), Buyei (布依族), Yi (彝族), Hui (回族), Miao (苗族), Bai (白族), and Mongol (蒙古族) minorities. The Shui ethnic group is the largest minority group, making up 67.5% of the minority population.

Population Data

2019: Registered population of 16,718.
2017: Resident population of 13,657.

Economy

Overview

In 2011, the average per capita net income for farmers was 3,676 RMB. The township has several industries, including building materials, leather, paper-making, and carbide production. Industrial revenue in 2011 was 780 million RMB, accounting for 64% of the rural economy.

Primary Sector

Agriculture: Cultivated area of 66,000 acres, with crops including wheat, corn, and miscellaneous grains. The total grain output in 2011 was 13,100 tons.
Animal Husbandry: Focuses on cattle, sheep, and poultry.

Secondary Sector

Industries: Includes building materials, leather, and paper production, with 27 enterprises in total.

Tertiary Sector

Commerce: The township has one comprehensive trade market, dealing in agricultural products, small commodities, and livestock.

Local Culture

Origin of the Name

The name Gugan Shui Ethnic Township is derived from Gugan Village, where the township government is located.

Folk Art

Local folk arts include Shui ethnic dances such as the Tongkou Dance (吞口舞), Lion Dance, and Bamboo Pole Dance. The Shui ethnic group has over 9,000 folk songs, with over 4,000 published.