The Ethnics Groups of China
Here are some pictures I found of the different ethnic groups in China, and I thought it would be interesting to share. I love the study of people, their clothes, customs, beliefs, where they come from, why they are the way they are. Fascinating to me…so many beautiful and exotic people in the world.
Tsem Rinpoche
Ethnic Achang
Location: China Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region
Shooting Date: 30/10/2010
Altitude: 1438m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 97 ̊53´ North latitude 24 ̊28´
Ethnic Bai
Location: China Yunnan Province Dali Bai-zu Autonomous State Dali City Jingchun Island
Shooting Date: 19/10/2010
Altitude: 1961m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 100 ̊15´ North latitude 25 ̊41´
Ethnic Bouyei
Location: China Guizhou Province Anshun City Zhenlin Bouyei-zu Miao-zu Autonomous Prefecture
Shooting Date: 05/01/2009
Altitude: 1961m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 105 ̊40´ North latitude 26 ̊01´
Ethnic Blang
Location: China Yunnan Province
Shooting Date: 10/10/2008
Altitude: 1738m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 100 ̊09´ North latitude 21 ̊55´
Ethnic Bonan
Location: China Gansu Province Linxia Hui-zu Autonomous State Jisishan Bonan-zu Dongxiang-zu Salar-zu Autonomous Prefecture
Shooting Date: 08/02/2009
Altitude: 1957m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 102 ̊45´ North latitude 35 ̊50´
Ethnic Dai
Location: China Yunnan Province Xisuanban Dai-zu Autonomous State
Shooting Date: 08/10/2008
Altitude: 555m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 100 ̊48´ North latitude 22 ̊00´
Ethnic Daur
Location: China Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Hulunbeier City Moli Daur-zu Autonomous
Shooting Date: 22/02/2009
Altitude: 191m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 124 ̊28´ North latitude 48 ̊28´
Ethnic De’Ang
Location: China Yunnan Province Dehong Dai-zu jingpo-zu Autonomous State Luxi City Santaishan De’ang-zu Town Donguizhiran Village
Shooting Date: 29/10/2008
Altitude: 1229m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 98 ̊25´ North latitude 24 ̊20´
Ethnic Derung
Location: China Yunnan Province Nujiang Lisu-zu Autonomous State Gongshan Derung-zu Nu-zu Autonomous Prefecture
Shooting Date: 26/10/2008
Altitude: 1568m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 98 ̊40´ North latitude 27 ̊44´
Ethnic Dong
Location: China Guizhou Province Dong-Miao Autonomous State Liping Prefecture Zixinxiang Zixindongzai
Shooting Date: 09/01/2009
Altitude: 627m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 109 ̊09´ North latitude 26 ̊04´
Ethnic Dongxiang
Location: China Gansu Province Linxia Hui-zu Autonomous State Dongchun Autonomous Prefecture
Shooting Date: 09/02/2009
Altitude: 2407m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 103 ̊23´ North latitude 35 ̊39´
Ethnic Ewenki
Location: China Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Hulunpuer City Ewenki-zu
Shooting Date: 18/02/2009
Altitude: 616m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 119 ̊45´ North latitude 49 ̊08´
Ethnic Gelao
Location: China Guizhou Province Zhunyi City Gelao-zu Miao-zu Autonomous Prefecture Daping Zhenlongtan Village
Shooting Date: 03/01/2009
Altitude: 640m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 107 ̊56´ North latitude 28 ̊34´
Ethnic Han
Location: China Shandong Province Jining City Qufu City Kongfu
Shooting Date: 22/07/2009
Altitude: 62m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 116 ̊58´ North latitude 35 ̊35´
Ethnic Hani
Location: China Yunnan Province Xisuanban Dai-zu Autonomous State Menghai Prefecture Hani-zu Blung-zu xiangmanlai Village
Shooting Date: 10/10/2008
Altitude: 1738m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 100 ̊09´ North latitude 21 ̊55´
Ethnic Hezhen
Location: China Heilongjiang Province Jiamuer City Tongjiang City Jingkou Hezhen-zu Village
Shooting Date: 22/11/2008
Altitude: 44m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 132 ̊49´ North latitude 47 ̊56´
Ethnic Hui
Location: China Ningxia Hui-zu Autonomous Region Wuzhong City Tongxin Prefecture Maqita Hui-zu Village
Shooting Date: 10/02/2009
Altitude: 1349m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 105 ̊54´ North latitude 36 ̊58´
Ethnic Jing
Location: China Guangxi Zhuang-zu Autonomous Region Fangchengang City Dongxin City Jiangpingzhen
Shooting Date: 27/03/2009
Altitude: 0m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 108 ̊08´ North latitude 21 ̊35´
Ethnic Jingpo
Location: China Yunnan Province Dehong Dai-zu jingpo-zu Autonomous State Longxi Prefecture Zhanfong Town Guangshan Jinping Fengqiang Zhaizhen
Shooting Date: 30/10/2008
Altitude: 954m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 97 ̊48´ North latitude 24 ̊11´
Ethnic Jino
Location: China Yunnan Province Xisuanban Dai-zu Autonomous State Jinhong City Jinoshan Jino-zu
Shooting Date: 09/10/2008
Altitude: 917m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 101 ̊00´ North latitude 22 ̊02´
Ethnic Kazak
Location: China Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Eli Kazak-zu Autonomous State Yilin City
Shooting Date: 20/04/2009
Altitude: 645m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 81 ̊17´ North latitude 43 ̊56´
Ethnic Kirgiz
Location: China Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Kirgiz-zu Autonomous State Ahketao Prefecture Pulunkou Town Pulunkou Village
Shooting Date: 26/04/2009
Altitude: 3312m; Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 74 ̊58´ North latitude 38 ̊39´
Ethnic Korean
Location: China Jilin Province Yenbian korean-zu Autonomous State Huichun City Bijiang Village
Shooting Date: 23/11/2008
Altitude: 65m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 130 ̊08´ North latitude 42 ̊59´
Ethnic Lahu
Location: China Yunnan Province Puer City Lanchang Lahu-zu Autonomous Prefecture
Shooting Date: 11/10/2008
Altitude: 1021m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 99 ̊56´ North latitude 22 ̊33´
Ethnic Lhoba
Location: China Tibet Autonomous Region Linzi Area Milin Prefecture Nanyi Lhoba-zu chazao
Shooting Date: 20/05/2009
Altitude: 2967m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 94 ̊24´ North latitude 29 ̊38´
Ethnic Li
Location: China Hainan Province Wuzhishan City Chongshanzhen Li-zu Village
Shooting Date: 06/03/2009
Altitude: 656m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 109 ̊32´ North latitude 18 ̊53´
Ethnic Lisu
Location: China Yunnan Province Nujiang Lisu-zu Autonomous State Fugong Prefecture Shanbeaizhen
Shooting Date: 24/10/2008
Altitude: 1193m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 98 ̊52´ North latitude 26 ̊54´
Ethnic Manchu
Location: China Jilin Province Changchun City Jiutai Town Kimuzhen Liujiachun Baseyahama Manchu Zhirantun
Shooting Date: 25/11/2008
Altitude: 178m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 126 ̊21´ North latitude 44 ̊22´
Maonan Ethnic
Ethnic Miao
Location: China Guizhou Province Dong-Miao-zu Tong-zu Autonomous State Leishan Prefecture
Shooting Date: Ogos 2008
Altitude: 877m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 108 ̊06´ North latitude 26 ̊29´
Ethnic Monba
Location: China Tibet Autonomous Region Shannan Area Chuna Prefecture
Shooting Date: 22/05/2008
Altitude: 2500m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 91 ̊57´ North latitude 27 ̊59´
Ethnic Mongol
Location: China Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Xilin Gol League
Shooting Date: 14/02/2009
Altitude: 836m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 116 ̊58´ North latitude 45 ̊30´
Ethnic Mulam
Location: China Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Hechi City Lochen Mulam-zu Auyonomous Prefecture Dongmeng Village
Shooting Date: 29/03/2009
Altitude: 347m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 108 ̊53´ North latitude 24 ̊48´
Ethnic Naxi
Location: China Yunnan Province Lijiang City Yulong Naxi-zu Autonomous Province Taian Town
Shooting Date: 20/10/2008
Altitude: 2436m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 100 ̊12´ North latitude 26 ̊54´
Ethnic Nu
Location: China Yunnan Province Nujiang Lisu-zu Autonomous State Fugongbihe Nu-zu Xianglaomuten Town
Shooting Date: 24/10/2008
Altitude: 1184m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 98 ̊53´ North latitude 26 ̊31´
Ethnic Oroqen
Location: China Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Huilunbeier City Oroqen Autonomous Qi Aliheizhen
Shooting Date: 21/02/2009
Altitude: 424m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 123 ̊43´ North latitude 50 ̊35´
Ethnic Ozbek
Location: China Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Huilunbeier City Oroqen Autonomous Qi Aliheizhen
Shooting Date: 21/02/2009
Altitude: 424m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 123 ̊43´ North latitude 50 ̊35´
Ethnic Pumi
Location: China Yunnan Province Nujiang Lisu-zu Autonomous State Lanping Bai-zu Pumi-zu Autonomous Prefecture Hexi Town jihua Village
Shooting Date: 22/10/2008
Altitude: 2421m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 99 ̊25´ North latitude 26 ̊27´
Ethnic Qiang
Location: China Sichuan Province Abei zhangzu Qiang-zu Autonomous State Li Prefecture Taopingerzhai
Shooting Date: 14/12/2008
Altitude: 1533m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 103 ̊27´ North latitude 31 ̊33´
Ethnic Russian
Location: China Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region Hulunpuer City Kergunapuen Autonomous Qibanituihaizhen
Shooting Date: 19/02/2009
Altitude: 967m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 120 ̊09´ North latitude 50 ̊47´
Ethnic Salar
Location: China Qinghai Province Haidong area Xunhua Salar-zu Autonomous Prefecture Jiezi Town Shanlanbahai Village
Shooting Date: 07/02/2009
Altitude: 1867m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 102 ̊29´ North latitude 35 ̊51´
Ethnic She
Location: China Zhejiang Province Lishui city Jinin She-zu Autonomous Prefecture
Shooting Date: 14/03/2009
Altitude: 782m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 119 ̊48´ North latitude 27 ̊58´
Ethnic Sui
Location: China Guizhou Province Ninan Buyi-zu Miao-zu Autonomous State Sui Autonomous Prefecture Shanhe Town
Shooting Date: 07/01/2009
Altitude: 388m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 99 ̊56´ North latitude 22 ̊33´
Ethnic Minorities in Taiwan
Location: China Taiwan Taitung Prefecture Jinfeng Town Xinxing Village
Shooting Date: 08/05/2009
Altitude: 1784m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 120 ̊59´ North latitude 22 ̊59´
Ethnic Tajik
Location: China Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Keme Area Tamekuergan Tajik-zu Autonomous Prefecture Tamekuergan Town
Shooting Date: 24/04/2009
Altitude: 3452m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 75 ̊19´ North latitude 37 ̊47´
Ethnic Tatar
Location: China Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Changji Hui-zu Autonomous State Qitai Prefecture Daquan Tatar-zu xiangheigou Village
Shooting Date: 16/04/2009
Altitude: 796m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 89 ̊24´ North latitude 43 ̊57´
Ethnic Tibetan
Location: China Tibet Autonomous Region Lhasa City
Shooting Date: 26/05/2009
Altitude: 3656m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 91 ̊06´ North latitude 29 ̊39´
Ethnic Tu
Location: China Qinghai Province haidong area Mutual Aid Tu Autonomous Prefecture Donggou Town Dazhuang Village
Shooting Date: 05/02/2009
Altitude: 2662m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 102 ̊03´ North latitude 36 ̊50´
Ethnic Tujia
Location: China Hunan Province Xiangxi Tujia-zu Miao-zu Autonomous Sate Yongshun Prefecture
Shooting Date: 20/12/2008
Altitude: 470m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 109 ̊58´ North latitude 29 ̊08´
Ethnic Ugyur
Location: China Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Kashi Area Kashi City
Shooting Date: 23/04/2009
Altitude: 1298m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 75 ̊57´ North latitude 39 ̊27´
Ethnic Va
Location: China Yunnan Province Linchang City Changyen Va-zu Autonomous Prefecture
Shooting Date: 13/10/2008
Altitude: 1510m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 99 ̊10´ North latitude 23 ̊16´
Ethnic Xibe
Location: China Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region Yilishake Autonomous State Yilin City Chapuchaer Xibe-zu Autonomous Prefecture
Shooting Date: 20/04/2009
Altitude: 606.2m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 81 ̊01´ North latitude 43 ̊17´
Ethnic Yao
Location: China Guangxi Zhuang-zu Autonomous Region Laiping City Jingxiu Yao-zu Autonomous Prefecture
Shooting Date: 31/03/2009
Altitude: 1350m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 110 ̊04´ North latitude 24 ̊01´
Ethnic Yi
Location: China Sichuan Province Liangshan Yi-zu Autonomous State Meigu Prefecture Bajizhen
Shooting Date: 17/12/2008
Altitude: 2062m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 103 ̊08´ North latitude 28 ̊19´
Ethnic Yugur
Location: China Gansu Province Zhangye City Sunan Yugur-zu Autonomous Prefecture Hongwanzhen
Shooting Date: 04/02/2009
Altitude: 2286m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 99 ̊36´ North latitude 38 ̊50´
Ethnic Zhuang
Location: China Guangxi Zhuang-zu Autonomous Region Chongzhuo City Daxin Prefecture Taochenzhen
Shooting Date: 25/03/2009
Altitude: 253m;
Latitude and Longitude: East longitude 107 ̊11´ North latitude 22 ̊50´
Note: All pictures were photographed by Chen Hai Wei
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Never thought that there are so many ethnic group in China. That show how big is China that has so many interesting ethnic, dialect, cultural and history. I would believe each ethnic has different religion, thinking which mainly driven by different background and socioeconomic. Due to China huge geography area and rich culture, I am sure the government of China would have to put a lot of thoughts in uniting the people who come from diverse background and bring them to the same vision. Thank you Rinpoche for sharing this interesting article
Wow ….there are so many different ethnics groups of people in China. As a large united multi-national state, China is composed of so many ethnic groups. Amazing ….. the origins and histories of ethnic groups in China are different, the overall trend of their development was to form a unified, stable country with multiple ethnic groups. I have seen singing and dancing troupes from one of those various ethnic groups appearing on television,but I did not know there are indeed so many different ethnics groups in China. And I have also seen live cultural dance of the ethnic Miao during my last visiting to China. I loved seeing their costumes ,there are so unique and colourful . Looking at those beautiful pictures of the different ethnics groups in tradition costumes ,its really fantastic.
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing.
Wow! Thank you very much for this interesting post that outlined the many different ethnics groups thriving in China. It arose my interest in wanting to know more about the population of each ethnic group, their history and recent struggle as well as their geo-political evolution. Learning about the humanized facets of each ethnic group helps us to understand China better too.
This is a fascinating post, seeing how people in various parts of China express themselves. Reading this gives you a small idea of the diversity of the Chinese population. In that way, it also gives you a small idea of the challenges facing the Chinese leadership in ensuring unity and equality for their people.
I think it’s unfair of people to criticise China for wanting to protect their borders and ethnic groups, when Chinese society has been in flux for many centuries. Take the Kalmyks for example. They’re not included in this list of ethnic groups but they do have history in Xinjiang. And if you look into their migration patterns to and from Xinjiang to areas further west (towards Russia), you can imagine what the Chinese leadership have to deal with when it comes to the movements and demands of so many ethnic groups.
So if we therefore approach the Chinese question with our Western-influenced paradigms, it’s not going to work. We aren’t going to develop our understanding of China, which is necessary if we want to exploit a relationship with a nation that’s poised to become the next superpower. We can’t expect Western ideals of democracy to apply in China when the idea of a Chinese state was in flux until very recently (as demonstrated by the Kalmyks as an example).
Gosh this is really fascinating – I would never have thought there were so many different ethnicities from the very country that I myself originate from! How funny it is that we hold on so strongly to our cultural and racial identities, often to the exclusion of everyone else in the world, or even to a point that we become so dangerously racist.
Rinpoche speaks to us often about the different cultures, histories and traditions of countries, people and faiths all over the world, explaining the importance of being exposed to different types of people and minds. We do this not just as a form of entertainment or amusement but actually, for a dharmic reason – to understand the fact that there really are such diverse minds in the world, and, at every opportunity to examine how we can bring relief, happiness and wisdom to others. Within this study is also the important lesson that we must be tolerant and understanding to everyone, no matter how different their outward cultural / racial backgrounds may be from ours, because really at the heart of every single person is the same wish for the same things – happiness, peace, protection, shelter, food, clothing, love. We may be Chinese in this life, but we may have been from a completely different part of the world (or even another planet!) in our previous life; in our next life, we may end up in a race or culture that we dislike, we could end up anywhere else in the world. It’s important to realise this, to know that even our cultural and racial identities, which we hold so solid now, disappear with us just as quickly as anything else when we die. Then, we start all over again a totally new culture.
So what do we choose now? To hang on to that shell of an outward identity? Or realise that wish that every single person wants the same intrinsic things, and develop those things?
在中国有非常多的少数民族，我本人非常喜欢少数民族的传统服饰，颜色很鲜艳美丽。
这次再重看仁波切poss的 (The Ethnic of China )后，也再次激发起我时装灵感。谢谢你仁波切。
太美了。。。各族部落的服饰和头饰。尤其是苗族的装束时常会给我带来灵感。
说实在，在仁波切博客里的内容，应有尽有，里面不但有佛法开示，你想到的，你们要的答案，其实
全都在里面。。。我会把这遍美丽的 (The Ethnic of China ) 分享给我服装界的朋友，希望
他们也能从这里得到些灵感。
Wow, such a complete collections pictures of the Ethnic groups, I like those colorful & beautiful traditional costumes.
Thanks for sharing !
There are so many ethnics groups in China who preserved the traditions so well. Most of them are in the remote areas of China. Sometimes I felt that they so far behind in terms of development compared to the cities, but this is what makes them preserve the traditions so well..
It is kinda like the Tibetan Buddhism. Since all these years it is not get to Tibet, the place is far from developed, but it is what made the teachings all preserved well…
It will be interesting to know why the Han group is the only people without traditional costumes.
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