On May 23, the list of the seventh batch of "National Civilized Cities" was announced. Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County in Shaoguan (韶关乳源瑶族自治县) became the first ethnic minority autonomous county in Guangdong Province to receive this national honor.
Where is this ethnic minority autonomous county located? What are its distinctive ethnic and cultural features? And how has it improved the lives of its residents through its efforts to become one of the National Civilized Cities in China? Keep reading to find out.
Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County
Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County is located to the west of Shaoguan, a city in northern Guangdong Province. As one of the three ethnic minority autonomous counties in Guangdong Province, it is known as the "Hometown of the World's Mountain Yao". The county has a registered population of 232,300, of which 25,900 are Yao people, accounting for 11.13% of the total population.
Established in 1167 AD (the 3rd year of the Reign of Emperor Qiandao in the Southern Song Dynasty), the county boasts a history of over 850 years. In 1963, the State Council officially approved the establishment of Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County. Historically, Ruyuan has been a key transportation hub in the Lingnan region. Today, Shaoguan Danxia Airport, located in Guitou Town of Ruyuan, operates several domestic flight routes connecting major cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Chongqing, and Chengdu.
Ruyuan is home to several key scenic spots, including Yunmen Mountain Ecotourism Area (云门山生态旅游区) and Lanshanyuan Tourist Area (蓝山源旅游区). It has hosted numerous provincial triathlon competitions, national fitness cycling events, and other sports competitions. It also features one national-level wetland park, two national-level forest parks, and four national 4A-level tourist attractions.
People perform at the Panwang Festival. (Photo: Official website of Ruyuan Yao Autonomous County Government)
As the ancestral homeland of the Mountain Yao people, Ruyuan possesses a rich and long-standing ethnic culture, with 26 intangible cultural heritage items recognized at various administrative levels. Among these is the Panwang Festival (盘王节) of the Yao ethnic group, which is recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. The festival originates from the traditional worship practices of the Mian/Yao (勉/瑶), a subgroup of the Mountain Yao ethnic group, in which they honor Panwang—their ancestral king—and fulfill vows made to him. In Ruyuan, the Panwang Festival is primarily celebrated through the worship of Panwang, featuring rituals such as lantern hanging, the Dushi ceremony (rite of passage), the Qiannian Altar (Millennium Altar), and the Banlu Altar (Halfway Altar).
In recent years, Ruyuan has adopted a "people-centered" approach, actively listening to public opinions and responding to their needs. A WeChat mini-program called "Yaoxiang Watchtower" (瑶乡瞭望台) has been warmly welcomed by local residents. In just over two weeks since its launch, the platform received 29 public service requests covering areas such as municipal facilities and environmental sanitation. The average processing time was less than 48 hours, with a resolution rate exceeding 90%.
The community environment is clean.
A community worker is repairing fitness equipment.
The county gathers public opinions and suggestions about community governance, the urban environment, and other topics through a combination of online and offline channels, including questionnaire surveys, community visits, and the "12345" government service hotline. These inputs guide public services such as streetlight maintenance and road repairs.
Additionally, Ruyuan has implemented a grid-based community governance system to promote public awareness of policies and regulations and to mediate neighborhood disputes. By addressing the everyday concerns of residents, the county has launched targeted campaigns to tackle problematic behaviors identified by community residents, such as littering and walking dogs without leashes. It also prioritizes livelihood-enhancing initiatives, such as renovating aging residential communities and rolling out smart parking solutions.
A community canteen catering exclusively to older people
A volunteer helps an elderly person push a tricycle across the street.
The county is committed to building a "15-minute living circle" that integrates various functions such as government services and healthcare, aiming to enhance the quality of public services. It promotes "one-stop online services" and "one-stop window for all" service models, having achieved full coverage of community canteens catering exclusively to older people across all nine towns in the county.
Relying on local cultural centers and other venues, the county organizes 346 volunteer service teams and 13 specialized volunteer programs to carry out regular events, bringing traditional Yao ethnic songs and dances to the doorsteps of residents.
A volunteer helps at a service station.
Volunteers are sweeping the sidewalk.
Volunteers bring traditional Yao ethnic songs and dances to the doorsteps of residents.
Note: The title of "National Civilized City" is China's highest and most comprehensive honor recognizing a city's overall level of civilization. It serves as a benchmark or model for cities in the comprehensive construction of a moderately prosperous society.
Reporter | Pan Junyu
Photo | Zhong Hua, Nanfang Plus
Editor | Zhang Xuanzhen (intern), Hong Ting (intern), Liu Lingzhi, James, Shen He
