Lincang Ethnic Minorities and Customs

Lincang is the mountainous home of the Wa ethnic minority and was historically seen as too "wild" to be worth settling by neighboring powers, notably British Burma and ancient China. This may have had some connection to the Wa's image as head-hunters.

There are 8 Administrative Division in Lincang City including 1 district (Linxiang); 4 counties (Fengqing, Yunxian, Yongde, Zhenkang); 3 autonomous counties (Shuangjiang Lahu, Wa, Blang and Dai Autonomous County, Gengma Dai and Wa Autonomous County, Cangyuan Wa Autonomous County).

Wa,Lahu,Bulang,Dai and Yi minorities are the largest minorities in Lincang City. The Wa ethnic minority is the largest minority group in Lincang and two thirds of the total Wa population of Yunnan live here. Wa villages and their handmade gifts and other crafts are attractive parts of a trip to Lincang.