Historical evolution of Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture

Today’s Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture was located in Qianzhong Jun of the Chu State during the Warring States Period. Later, it was under the jurisdiction of Wuling Jun in the Western Han Dynasty. During the Three Kingdoms Period, it was included in the Shu Kingdom at first and then the Wu Kingdom, and later under the jurisdiction of Wuling Jun of Jing Zhou in the Western Jin Dynasty and the Eastern Jin Dynasty. During the Sui and Tang Dynasties and the Five Dynasties, it was governed by the Qianzhongdao, and then by Chen Zhou and Li Zhou at Jing Zhou Hubeilu in the Song Dynasty. In the Yuan Dynasty, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture was subject to the rule of Huguang Executive Secretariat and Sichuan Executive Secretariat. In the Ming Dynasty, part of the region belonged to Yongshun Xuanweisi, part to Baojing Zhou Xuanweisi, and the rest to Yue Zhou and Chen Zhou. Today’s Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture included Fenghuang, Qianzhou, Yongsui and Yongshun in the Qing Dynasty. From 1914 to 1922, it was under the jurisdiction of Chenyuandao, an organization that dealt with military affairs and politics. From the 1938 to 1949, it was incorporated in the eighth and ninth administrative superintendence district. At the beginning of the founding of the People’s Republic of China, counties like Fenghuang, Qiancheng, Yongsui and Luxi were included in Yuanling Special Area, and counties like Yongshun, Longshan, Baojing and Guzhang belonged to Yongshun Special Area.

On August 1, 1952, with the approval of the Central People’s Government, six counties of Qiancheng, Fenghuang, Yongsui, Luxi, Guzhang and Baojing composed Xiangxi Miao Autonomous Region (prefecture-level), whose government was situated in Suoli Town, Qiancheng County. In September of the same year, the administrative region of Xiangxi and its affiliated Yongshun, Yuanling and Huitong were abolished, and the four counties of Yongshun, Longshan, Sangzhi and Dayong were governed by Xiangxi Miao Autonomous Region temporarily. In December, 1952，four counties of Yongshun, Longshan, Sangzhi and Dayong were governed by Xiangxi Miao Autonomous Region officially.

On April 28, 1955, Xiangxi Miao Autonomous Region was changed into Xiangxi Miao Autonomous Prefecture with same governing territory according to Article 53 of the Constitution.
On September 6, 1957, the fifty-seventh plenary meeting of the State Council passed the proposal from the People’s Government of Hunan Province to establish Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture and to abolish Xiangxi Miao Autonomous Prefecture. On September 20 of the same year, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture was officially established to replace Xiangxi Miao Autonomous Prefecture.

In 1952, Xiangxi Miao Autonomous Region was set up, with its government located in Qiancheng County. Four counties of Qiancheng, Yongsui, Luxi and Fenghuang that were under the jurisdiction of former Yuanling County and six counties of Yongshun, Longshan, Dayong, Baojing, Sangzhi and Guzhang were included in Xiangxi Miao Autonomous Region.
In 1955, Xiangxi Miao Autonomous Region was renamed Xiangxi Miao Autonomous Prefecture, with its government located in Jishou County.

On September 20, 1957, Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture was established, with its government situated in Jishou County. The six counties under the jurisdiction of former Xiangxi Miao Autonomous Prefecture and four counties of Yongshun, Longshan, Dayong and Sangzhi were incorporated into Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture.