Yunnan
Zhaotong Prefecture 昭通市

In the far northeast of Yunnan, Zhaotong resembles much more Sichuan and Guizhou, the provinces it borders: Like Sichuan’s Zhaotong’s population is overwhelmingly Han, with a few Yi and Miao marginalised high in the mountains. With Guizhou Zhaotong shares the poor weather. Endless grey days with a constant drizzle and grinding poverty on the poor soil: Zhaotong is Yunnan’s least attractive area, yet it reminds of a Chinese reality that one might otherwise forget in beautiful ‘South of the Clouds’.