Xima (Chinese: 西马镇; pinyin: Xīmǎ Zhèn) is a town located in Longli County, which is part of the Qiannan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in Guizhou Province, People’s Republic of China. The town serves as an administrative division of the county and is one of several township-level units governing the surrounding rural and suburban areas.
Geography
Xima lies in the mountainous region of southwestern Guizhou, characterized by a subtropical humid climate with distinct seasons. The town is situated at an elevation that typically ranges between 600 and 1,200 meters above sea level, and it is traversed by several small streams that feed into larger river systems within the prefecture.
Administrative Structure
As a town (镇, zhèn), Xima administers a number of villages and residential communities. The local government is responsible for public services, economic development, and implementation of policies issued by Longli County and higher levels of government.
Population
Specific population figures for Xima are not consistently reported in publicly available statistical yearbooks. However, township-level towns in Longli County generally have populations ranging from a few thousand to tens of thousands of residents, comprising primarily ethnic groups such as the Buyei, Miao, and Han Chinese.
Economy
The local economy of Xima is predominantly based on agriculture, with key crops including rice, maize, and sweet potatoes. In recent years, there have been efforts to promote cash crops, horticulture, and small-scale agro‑processing. Limited industrial activity exists, primarily in the form of light manufacturing and the processing of local agricultural products. Rural tourism and cultural heritage promotion are emerging sectors, reflecting broader provincial initiatives to diversify income sources in mountainous regions.
Transportation
Xima is connected to the county seat of Longli and neighboring towns via provincial roads. These routes link the town to larger transportation networks, including national highways that provide access to the provincial capital, Guiyang, and other major urban centers in Guizhou. Public bus services operate on a regular schedule, facilitating movement of residents and goods.
Education and Public Services
The town hosts primary and secondary schools that serve local children, as well as health clinics that provide basic medical care. Higher‑level educational and medical facilities are located in the county seat or the prefectural capital.
Cultural Aspects
Given its location within the Buyei and Miao autonomous prefecture, Xima exhibits cultural traditions associated with these ethnic groups, including festivals, traditional clothing, and local cuisine. Community events often feature performances of traditional music and dance.
References
- National Bureau of Statistics of the People’s Republic of China (administrative division codes).
- Guizhou Provincial Statistical Yearbook.
- Qiannan Buyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture governmental publications.