Shuiyao Shui Ethnic Town in Libo County, Qiannan

Overview

Shui Yao Shui Ethnic Township黔南布依族苗族自治州荔波县水尧水族乡, located in Libo County, Qiannan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province, was established on May 3, 1984. It is situated in the northeastern part of Libo County, with coordinates ranging from 25°21′N to 25°29′N latitude and 107°55′E to 108°01′E longitude.

Introduction

Shui Yao Shui Ethnic Township is located about 13 kilometers east of Libo County’s urban center. It is bordered to the east by Maolan Town, to the west by Yuping Town, to the south by Yongkang Township, and to the north by Jiuqian Town in Sandu County. The township administers 5 administrative villages, 46 village groups, and has a total of 1,642 households with a population of 7,940. The floating population is 734, while the agricultural population stands at 7,502, making up 94.5% of the total population. There are 4,556 people of working age, with 1,500 engaged in labor migration.

The average elevation is approximately 700 meters, with an annual average temperature of 16.8°C and annual rainfall ranging from 1,320 to 1,400 millimeters. The total area of the township is 90.7 square kilometers, including 9,654 acres of forest land, 4,789 acres of arable land, and 1,500 acres for urban construction. The arable land includes 4,229 acres of paddy fields and 560 acres of dry land. The land is predominantly sloped, with paddy fields located mainly on the lower slopes.

The transportation infrastructure in the township is generally poor, with the Libo-Da Highway passing through 7 village groups in Shui Yao Village. There are 93 kilometers of village roads and 114 kilometers of roads connecting the village groups. However, there are 121 groups without road access, resulting in very underdeveloped transportation conditions, with roads often impassable during rainy weather.

In 2010, the total agricultural output value of Shui Yao Shui Ethnic Township was 77.77 million yuan, with a per capita agricultural output value of 3,450 yuan. The local fiscal revenue was 220,000 yuan, with expenditures of 2.61 million yuan. The per capita net income for farmers was 2,196 yuan. Although agriculture has undergone structural adjustments and is transitioning from traditional to benefit-oriented and modern agriculture, the industry remains at a relatively low level of development, with a small economic scale, an unreasonable structure, and overall low efficiency. Major grain crops include rice, corn, and tubers, with a total grain output of 13,181 tons in 2010, equating to 453 kilograms per capita. Economic crops mainly consist of tobacco, with an annual output of 300 tons and a value of 2.7 million yuan. Livestock farming is primarily focused on pigs, with 3,571 large livestock, 778 sold, 10,135 pigs, and 9,994 sold. There are also 350 goats. In 2010, the livestock output value reached 18.7 million yuan.

Historical Development

1953: Shui Yao Township established its People’s Government.
1958: Merged into the Xianfeng People’s Commune.
1958: Reorganized into the Liming People’s Commune (including Yongkang Township).
1960: Administrative area was abolished, and Shui Yao People’s Commune was established.
1961: Shui Yao Commune Management Committee was set up under the jurisdiction of the Yuping District Office, covering the original Shui Yao Township area.
1976: The Shui Yao Commune Revolutionary Committee was established, under the Chengguan District Revolutionary Committee, and included the Shui Yao, Lajiao, Shui Ba, Shui Gong, and Shui Lao Brigade Management Committees.
1980: The Sixth People’s Congress was held, establishing the Shui Yao Commune Management Committee.
1984: The Seventh People’s Congress established the Shui Yao Shui Ethnic Township People’s Government.
1991: Shui Yao Shui Ethnic Township was established as an independent ethnic township based on the provisions of the Guizhou Provincial Committee and Government documents, with its administrative region unchanged but upgraded to a bureau-level township.
1998: The government relocated 70 Yao households to better conditions in Weimen (a local name), which was renamed Shui Yao New Village and placed under Shui Yao Shui Ethnic Township administration.
2004: According to the county’s document on improving village-level organization construction, Shui Ba Village and Shui Yao Village were merged to form Shui Yao Village, encompassing the original two villages’ areas.

Administrative Division

As of 2014, Shui Yao Shui Ethnic Township consists of the following administrative divisions:

Shui Yao Village
Shui Gong Village
Shui Lao Village
Lajiao Village
Shui Yao New Village

Geographical Environment

Location and Boundaries

Shui Yao Shui Ethnic Township is situated in the northeastern part of Libo County. It is bordered by Maolan Town to the east, Yuping Town to the west, Yongkang Township to the south, and Jiuqian Town in Sandu County to the north.

Topography and Landforms

The township is located in a transitional area between the Guizhou Plateau and the Eastern Guangxi Hills. The terrain is characterized by sloped, mountainous areas with sparse flatlands. The predominant landforms are karst peak forests and valleys.

Climate

Shui Yao Shui Ethnic Township experiences a subtropical monsoon climate, with mild temperatures and ample rainfall. The average annual temperature is 16.8°C, and the annual precipitation ranges between 1,320 and 1,400 millimeters, with the majority of rain falling between April and September.

Natural Disasters

The main natural disasters in Shui Yao Shui Ethnic Township include droughts, windstorms, hailstorms, floods, pests, autumn rains, and frost.

Natural Resources

In 2011, the township had 4,789 acres of arable land, including 4,229 acres of paddy fields and 560 acres of dry land.

Population

By the end of 2011, Shui Yao Shui Ethnic Township had a population of 7,940. Of this, 7,502 were engaged in agriculture, representing 94.5% of the total population. The per capita net income for farmers was 2,196 yuan.

Transportation

The township is connected by National Highway 552, and has 93 kilometers of village roads and 114 kilometers of roads connecting village groups. However, many areas lack proper road access, resulting in poor transportation conditions.

Historical and Cultural Background

Origin of the Name

The name Shui Yao Shui Ethnic Township was derived by combining characters from Shui Feng and Shui Li in 1931.

How to Get There

By Car: Drive to Libo County, then follow local roads to Shui Yao Shui Ethnic Township. National Highway 552 provides a major route through the area.
Public Transportation: Utilize local bus services from Libo County to reach Shui Yao Shui Ethnic Township.

Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit: The ideal time to visit is from April to September, avoiding the peak of the rainy season.
Clothing: Bring appropriate clothing for variable weather conditions, including both warm layers and rain gear.
Local Attractions: Explore the region’s karst landscapes and ethnic Shui culture.
Accommodations: Accommodations in rural areas may be limited; plan ahead and book in advance if necessary.
Cultural Sensitivity: Be respectful of local customs and traditions, especially when visiting ethnic communities.