Yunnan Commandery

Yunnan Commandery 雲南郡
Former subdivision of Shu Han → Western Jin → Southern dynasties
225 CE–589 CE
Capital	Yunnan 雲南 (likely near modern Yun County, Yunnan)
Historical era	Imperial China
• Created by Shu Han after Zhuge Liang's southern campaign	225 CE
• Abolished during the Sui dynasty reforms	589 CE
Today part of	Western Yunnan (centered around modern Dali)

Yunnan Commandery (雲南郡) was an administrative commandery established by the state of Shu Han in 225 CE following the pacification of the Nanzhong region by Zhuge Liang. Located in what is now western Yunnan Province, it remained a commandery through the Western Jin and Southern dynasties until it was abolished by the Sui dynasty in 589 CE.

Establishment

Yunnan Commandery was created in the aftermath of Zhuge Liang’s 225 CE southern expedition, which aimed to suppress rebellions by local tribal leaders such as Yong Kai and reassert Shu control over the southwest. As part of the post-campaign reorganization, the western and southern counties of Jianning Commandery were separated to form Yunnan Commandery.

Counties reassigned included:

• Yunnan (雲南) – the name-giving county, possibly located in the modern Yun County–Fengqing area
• Yeyu (葉榆) – near modern Dali
• Xielong (邪龍) – near modern Weishan Yi and Hui Autonomous County
• Yongshou (永壽) – newly created in southern Yunnan, possibly near modern Pu'er

The goal was to improve administrative reach over remote tribal areas and strengthen Shu’s hold on trade routes toward Burma and Southeast Asia.

Jin and Southern dynasties

Under the Western Jin, Yunnan was incorporated into Ningzhou Province along with Jianning and Yongchang. The commandery administered at least four counties, with an estimated population of fewer than 20,000 households. The Jin court delegated authority to local chieftains, granting titles such as “Righteous Pacifier of the Yi” (平夷義侯) and “Tribal Inspector of Yunnan.”

During the Eastern Jin and Southern dynasties, Yunnan Commandery remained nominally under Chinese administration but was effectively controlled by indigenous clans, especially the Cuan clan, who governed Yunnan with limited interference from the central court.

Sui reform

In 589 CE, the Sui dynasty abolished Yunnan Commandery as part of a nationwide reform that replaced commanderies with prefectures. Yunnan’s territory was divided into several new administrative units, including Yongchang Prefecture and Xunzhou, laying the groundwork for Tang-era governance.

Economy and culture

Yunnan’s economy depended on copper mining, cattle rearing, and trade in salt and tropical products. The commandery sat astride overland routes linking Sichuan to the Irrawaddy basin and the eastern Himalayan foothills. Bronze drums and cowrie shells remained in use alongside Chinese coinage and goods, reflecting the hybrid culture of the region.

Archaeology

• Han–Shu era bricks stamped 雲南太守 have been unearthed near Yun County
• Bronze mirrors and cowrie ornaments from Yeyu suggest a blend of Dian and Han traditions
• A stone stele near Weishan records the repair of a mountain road during the Jin period

See also

• Zhuge Liang’s southern campaign
• Jianning Commandery
• Yongchang Commandery
• Cuanman
• Nanzhong