Shouwang Hui Ethnic Town in Zhaoyang District, Zhaotong

Location and Administrative Overview

Shouwang Hui Township 昭通市昭阳区守望回族乡 is under the jurisdiction of Zhaoyang District (昭阳区) in Zhaotong City (昭通市), Yunnan Province (云南省). It is situated in the southeastern part of Zhaoyang City, bordering Xiaolongdong Township (小龙洞乡) to the east, and adjacent to Zhongshui Town (中水镇) in Weining Yi, Hui, and Miao Autonomous County (威宁彝族回族苗族自治县) of Bijie City (毕节市), Guizhou Province (贵州省) to the south. To the west, it shares boundaries with Bugga Hui (回族) Township (布嘎回族乡) and Yongfeng Town (永丰镇), and to the north, it is close to Fenghuang Street (凤凰街道) and Taiping Street (太平街道). The total area of Shouwang Township is 67.21 square kilometers. As of the end of 2019, the registered population was 51,452.

Transportation Tips

By Road: Shouwang Township can be accessed by several county and township-level roads. It is approximately 30 kilometers from Zhaoyang City center.
Public Transport: Buses from Zhaotong City to nearby towns often pass through Shouwang Township.

Historical Development

1950: Initially part of the jurisdiction of Bolu District (博禄区).
1959: Established as Shouwang Commune (守望公社).
1962: Reincorporated into Bolu District.
1966: Re-established as Shouwang Commune.
1984: Became Shouwang District (守望区).
1988: Renamed to Shouwang Hui (回族) Township.

Administrative Structure

2006: The villages of Ganhe Village (甘河村) Groups 1, 2, and 3 (Dayuan Village) and Maguizha Village (马贵闸村) Groups 8 and 9 were reallocated to Fenghuang Office (凤凰办事处).
2011: Shouwang Hui Township included Shui Jing Wan (水井湾), Kazi (卡子), Baxian (八仙), Hulu Ping (葫芦坪), Liu Jia Haizi (刘家海子), Ganhe (甘河), and Maguizha (马贵闸) village committees, with a total of 96 village groups and 51 natural villages.
2020: The township was divided into 4 communities and 3 administrative villages: Shui Jing Wan Community (水井湾社区), Ganhe Community (甘河社区), Liu Jia Haizi Community (刘家海子社区), Maguizha Community (马贵闸社区), Kazi Village (卡子村), Baxian Ying Village (八仙营村), Hulu Ping Village (葫芦坪村). The township government is located in Shui Jing Wan.

Geographical Environment

Location: Located in the southeastern part of Zhaoyang City, Shouwang Township borders Xiaolongdong Township to the east, Zhongshui Town to the south, Bugga Hui Township and Yongfeng Town to the west, and Fenghuang Street and Taiping Street to the north. The area covers 67.21 square kilometers.
Terrain: Shouwang Township is in a basin area with higher elevations in the east and lower elevations in the west. The highest point is Dabeishan (大碑山) at 2,192 meters above sea level, and the lowest point is Ma Guizha Chaimei Mountain (马贵闸柴煤山) at 1,918 meters above sea level.
Climate: The average annual temperature is 11°C, with an average annual precipitation of 750 millimeters and a frost-free period of approximately 220 days.
Hydrology: There are three fourth-level rivers in the township with a total length of 20 kilometers. The largest river is the Diao River (低河), flowing through Shouwang from Duanjia Stone Bridge (段家石桥) to Yongfeng Qingping (永丰青平), with a length of 12 kilometers and a drainage area of 12.4 square kilometers.

Natural Resources

Minerals: The township has proven reserves of lignite and anthracite. Lignite reserves are estimated at 500 million tons with 3 operational mining areas in Maguizha, Liu Jia Haizi, covering a geological reserve of 100 million tons with an annual production of 140,000 tons.

Population

2011: The total population was 43,704, with 2,814 residing in urban areas and a 6.4% urbanization rate. The population included 22,150 males (50.7%) and 21,554 females (49.3%). The Hui ethnic group (回族) predominates with 29,393 individuals (67.2%). The natural population growth rate was 9.14‰.
2017: The resident population was 43,128.
2019: The registered population reached 51,452.

Transportation

By Road: Shouwang Township is connected by a network of county and township roads totaling 36.4 kilometers in length. It is well-served by local roads, making it accessible from major towns and cities in the region.

Origin of the Name

The name “Shouwang” is derived from the township government’s location in Shui Jing Wan (水井湾), known for its extensive water fields and low-lying areas. “Shui Wang” (水旺) refers to “water abundance,” which is phonetically similar to “Shouwang” (守望), meaning “to guard and hope.”

Travel Tips

Accommodation: There are limited accommodations within the township, so booking in advance in nearby Zhaoyang City is recommended.
Local Cuisine: Try local Hui (回族) dishes, which are flavorful and reflect the region’s diverse culinary heritage.
Sightseeing: Explore the natural landscapes and rivers, and take time to appreciate the local culture and festivals.