The Yugur People: China's Hidden Nomadic Minority with Two Languages and a 1,000-Year-Old Voice

Tom Song

Aug 17

14 min read

Introduction

Nestled at the northern foot of the Qilian Mountains in northwestern China's Gansu Province lives one of the country's smallest and most remarkable ethnic minorities: the Yugur people (裕固族). With a population of only about 14,700 according to the 2021 China Statistical Yearbook, the Yugur are among China's ten least-populated ethnic groups, yet they speak two entirely different languages, preserve one of the world's rarest vocal techniques, and trace their ancestry back more than a thousand years to the ancient Uyghur Khaganate. For travelers seeking authentic cultural immersion beyond China's crowded tourist circuit, the Yugur offer a window into a vanishing nomadic civilization that has survived wars, migrations, and modernization. This comprehensive guide explores everything you need to know about the Yugur people, from their ancient origins and dual-language heritage to their UNESCO-listed folk songs, distinctive dress, and practical tips for visiting their homeland in Sunan Yugur Autonomous County.

What Makes the Yugur People Unique Among China's 56 Ethnic Groups?

The Yugur people hold a special distinction in China: they are one of only three ethnic minorities entirely unique to Gansu Province, and the only ethnic group in the world with a bilingual split into two completely different language families. Western Yugur (Yogur language) belongs to the Turkic branch of the Altaic language family, closely related to Uyghur and Kazakh, while Eastern Yugur (Engel language) belongs to the Mongolic branch, related to Mongolian and Dongxiang. This means that two Yugur people from different villages may literally not be able to understand each other's mother tongue, a linguistic phenomenon almost unheard of among such a small population.

The Yugur self-identify as 'Yogur' (尧乎尔), a name with deep historical resonance. The word is etymologically linked to 'Uyghur' and the ancient terms 'Huihe' (回纥) and 'Huihu' (回鹘), reflecting the Yugur's direct descent from the Uyghur Khaganate that ruled the Mongolian steppe from 744 to 840 CE. During the Tang Dynasty (618-907), these ancestors dominated the Orkhon River valley. When the Khaganate collapsed in the mid-9th century under pressure from internal strife and the Kirghiz invasion, one branch migrated westward along the Hexi Corridor, eventually settling in present-day Gansu and Qinghai provinces. This western migration gave rise to the Ganzhou Uyghurs, who would become the direct ancestors of today's Yugur people.

Today, more than 90 percent of all Yugur people live in Sunan Yugur Autonomous County, established in 1954 in the northern foothills of the Qilian Mountains. The remainder live in scattered communities such as Huangnibao Yugur Township near Jiuquan. The name 'Yugur' itself was officially adopted in 1953 after extensive consultation among Yugur elders and leaders. It was chosen for its phonetic similarity to 'Yogur' while carrying the auspicious Chinese meaning of 'prosperity and consolidation' (富裕巩固). This naming ceremony marked the culmination of decades of recognition efforts and cemented the Yugur's status as one of China's officially recognized ethnic minorities.

Yugur History: From the Uyghur Khaganate to the Qilian Mountains

The history of the Yugur people is a saga of migration, resilience, and cultural preservation that spans more than twelve centuries. Understanding this journey is essential to appreciating what makes the Yugur one of China's most fascinating ethnic minorities.

The Uyghur Khaganate Era (744-840 CE)

The Yugur's earliest documented ancestors were the Uyghurs (then called Huihe), a powerful Turkic-speaking nomadic confederation that established the Uyghur Khaganate centered on the Orkhon River in modern-day Mongolia. At its height, the Khaganate controlled vast territories across the Mongolian plateau and engaged in extensive trade along the Silk Road. The Uyghurs adopted Manichaeism as their state religion and developed a sophisticated urban civilization with runic inscriptions, agricultural practices, and diplomatic relations with the Tang Dynasty.

The Western Migration (840-1000 CE)

In 840 CE, the Uyghur Khaganate collapsed after a combination of severe snowstorms, internal power struggles, and a devastating attack by the Yenisei Kirghiz. The Uyghur confederation fractured, with different groups migrating in different directions. One significant branch moved westward, crossing the Mongolian steppe into the Hexi Corridor — the narrow passage between the Qilian Mountains and the Gobi Desert that served as the vital link of the ancient Silk Road. These migrants settled in the areas around present-day Dunhuang (Shazhou), Zhangye (Ganzhou), and Wuwei (Liangzhou), where they became known as the Hexi Uyghurs or Ganzhou Uyghurs.

From Yellow-Head Uyghurs to Sarigh Uyghurs (1000-1600 CE)

During the Liao and Song dynasties (907-1279), the descendants of the Hexi Uyghurs came to be known as the 'Yellow-Head Uyghurs' (黄头回纥), a term referring to their distinctive golden-blond or light-brown hair coloring that set them apart from neighboring populations. By the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), after centuries of intermarriage and interaction with Mongol, Tibetan, and Han communities, the group adopted the collective name 'Sarigh Uyghur' (撒里畏兀儿), meaning 'Yellow Uyghur' in Turkic.

In the mid-Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the Sarigh Uyghurs undertook their final great migration. Under pressure from political instability and conflicts in the Hexi Corridor, they moved southeast into the mountainous regions south of Jiuquan and Zhangye — the northern slopes of the Qilian Mountains where they have lived continuously for over 400 years. During the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), the Yugur were administratively organized into what was known as the 'Seven Yellow Fan Tribes' (黄番七族) and, over this period, gradually embraced Tibetan Buddhism (Gelug school).

Modern Recognition and Development (1949-Present)

Following the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, the Yugur people gained official ethnic recognition. In 1953, the name 'Yugur' was formally adopted, and in 1954, Sunan Yugur Autonomous County was established, giving the Yugur political autonomy and administrative self-governance over their traditional homeland. Since then, the county has developed into a center for Yugur culture, education, and economic activity, with significant improvements in transportation, healthcare, and education infrastructure. Today, the Yugur language and culture are being actively preserved through educational programs, cultural institutions, and national intangible cultural heritage designations.

The Two Yugur Languages: A Linguistic Marvel Under Threat

Perhaps the most remarkable feature of the Yugur people is their use of two entirely distinct languages that belong to different branches of the Altaic language family. This phenomenon is so unusual that it has attracted international attention from linguists and cultural anthropologists studying endangered languages.

Western Yugur (Turkic Branch)

Western Yugur, also known as the Yogur language, is spoken by Yugur people in the western part of Sunan County. It belongs to the Turkic branch of the Altaic language family and shares close linguistic ties with Uyghur, Kazakh, and other Turkic languages. Interestingly, Western Yugur has preserved many archaic features of Old Turkic that have been lost in modern Turkish and other contemporary Turkic languages, making it a 'living fossil' for linguists studying the historical development of the Turkic language family. UNESCO has classified Western Yugur as a 'severely endangered' language, as most fluent speakers are over 60 years old.

Eastern Yugur (Mongolic Branch)

Eastern Yugur, or the Engel language, is spoken in the eastern part of Sunan County. This language belongs to the Mongolic branch of the Altaic family and is closely related to Mongolian and Dongxiang languages. The existence of two distinct languages among such a small ethnic group is a testament to the complex historical interactions between the Yugur's Turkic-speaking ancestors and the Mongol-speaking populations with whom they coexisted for centuries following the Yuan Dynasty.

The Written Language Question

The Yugur people historically used the ancient Old Uyghur script, but this written tradition was gradually lost over the centuries. By the Ming and Qing dynasties, as Tibetan Buddhism spread throughout the region, many Yugur people adopted written Tibetan for religious purposes. Since the mid-20th century, Mandarin Chinese has become the primary written language for most Yugur, with Chinese serving as the common lingua franca for communication between Western and Eastern Yugur speakers. Today, nearly all Yugur people are fluent in Mandarin Chinese, with the two native Yugur languages primarily used in domestic and cultural contexts.

The endangered status of both Yugur languages has prompted concerted preservation efforts. Local schools in Sunan County now offer bilingual education programs, cultural organizations maintain language archives, and younger generations are being encouraged to learn their ancestral tongues. As one elderly Yugur folk singer noted in a 2024 interview, 'When our language disappears, so does our history, our songs, and our way of seeing the world. We must pass it on while there is still time.'

Yugur Culture: Folk Songs, Dress, Festivals, and the Nomadic Way of Life

The Yugur people are often described as a 'people who sing their history.' Because the written language was lost, the Yugur have relied on oral traditions — particularly folk songs — to preserve their collective memory, mythology, and worldview across generations.

Yugur Folk Songs: The Voice of a Thousand Years

In 2006, Yugur folk songs were inscribed on China's first batch of National Intangible Cultural Heritage list, a recognition of their extraordinary cultural value. The songs fall into several categories: narrative songs, labor songs, ceremonial songs, and love songs. Among the most famous are the epic narratives 'Sanamak' (萨娜玛珂), which celebrates a heroic woman who defended her people, 'Huangdaichen' (黄黛琛), a tragic love story, and 'Xizhihazhi' (西至哈志), which recounts the Yugur's migration history.

What makes Yugur folk singing truly extraordinary is the ancient throat-singing technique preserved in Western Yugur vocal tradition. This rare vocalization method involves special vibration of the throat to produce a long, resonant, and haunting tone that mimics the sound of wind sweeping across grassland — a technique almost unheard of outside Central Asian nomadic cultures. Musicologists have identified the 'five-note scale' and 'vibrato technique' in Yugur melodies as preserving genetic markers of ancient Uyghur music, making these songs a living archive of medieval Turkic musical culture.

The songs are inseparable from daily life. During weddings, the 'Dai Tou Mian Ge' (戴头面歌) accompanies the bride's ceremonial hair-dressing; on the pasture, 'herding songs' echo across the valleys; during the sacrifice to Obo (鄂博) cairns, 'spirit-invoking songs' express reverence for nature. This 'song-as-life' tradition makes Yugur folk music the spiritual core of the entire ethnic identity. Today, fewer than a hundred elderly masters can still perform the complete traditional repertoire, and intensive preservation efforts — including digital archives, youth training schools, and annual folk song competitions — are underway to prevent this ancient voice from fading into silence.

Yugur Traditional Dress: A Rainbow on the Grassland

Yugur clothing is among the most visually striking of all Chinese ethnic minority costumes. Women wear high-collar long robes in vibrant red, blue, or green, covered by an embroidered sleeveless jacket. The most distinctive element is the ceremonial headdress worn by married women, called 'toumian' (头面), a heavy ornamental piece composed of silver plaques, coral, agate, turquoise, and shells that can weigh up to 10 kilograms (22 pounds). Three braids hang from the headdress — one at the front and one at each side — symbolizing the wearer's married status.

Unmarried Yugur girls wear the 'Geyao Zeyi Nie' (格尧则依捏), a headband decorated with five-colored beads and tassels, and braid their hair into five to seven plaits decorated with colorful silk threads. At age 15, a girl undergoes the 'Sadarge' (萨达尔格) ceremony, where she receives a square red cloth badge ornamented with shells and corals, signifying her transition to adulthood and marriageability. Men wear gold-brimmed white felt hats with upturned rear brims and high-collar side-buttoning robes, traditionally made from fine woolen cloth.

Yugur Festivals and Customs

The Yugur observe a rich cycle of festivals that blend Tibetan Buddhist traditions with ancient shamanic customs. The most important celebrations include the Spring Festival (known locally as 'Jia'er Festival'), the Horse Mane Cutting Festival in the fourth lunar month, the June Great Assembly, and the Obo sacrifice rituals. During the Horse Mane Cutting Festival, herdsmen invite skilled neighbors to ceremonially trim the manes of one-year-old foals, accompanied by horse mane cutting songs and celebratory feasting — a ritual comparable in significance to a boy's coming-of-age ceremony.

One of the most distinctive Yugur customs is the 'fire drive' ritual held on Lunar New Year's Eve. Families clean their tents or houses thoroughly, then light two fires outside the entrance. Livestock are driven through the gap between the fires while firecrackers are set off, symbolically driving away evil spirits and ensuring safety for people and animals in the coming year. From New Year's Eve through the fifth day of the New Year, butter lamps burn continuously inside and outside the tent and animal pens.

The Nomadic Lifestyle and Cuisine

Traditionally, the Yugur were a nomadic herding people who followed seasonal pastures in the Qilian Mountains, living in felt tents made from woven yak and sheep wool. Their diet revolves around meat and dairy products: hand-grabbed mutton, whole roasted lamb, air-dried beef, butter tea, yogurt, milk skin, and 'chula' (dried milk curds). The Yugur traditionally follow the custom of 'three cups of tea and one meal' daily — drinking butter tea in the morning, at midday, and in the afternoon, with the main meal eaten in the evening after the day's work is complete. Forbidden foods include birds, fish, donkeys, horses, mules, and dogs, following the ancient nomadic taboo on animals with 'pointed beaks or round hooves.'

Travel Guide: Visiting the Yugur Homeland in Sunan Yugur Autonomous County

For travelers who want to experience Yugur culture firsthand, Sunan Yugur Autonomous County offers an extraordinary opportunity to immerse yourself in nomadic grassland life, ancient cliff temples, and dramatic high-altitude landscapes — all largely untouched by mass tourism.

Getting There and When to Visit

Sunan County is located in the northern foothills of the Qilian Mountains, about 90 kilometers (56 miles) southwest of Zhangye city in Gansu Province. The most convenient access is via Zhangye Zhangye West Railway Station, which is served by high-speed trains from Lanzhou (about 3.5 hours), Xi'an, and other major cities. From Zhangye, visitors can take a public bus to Sunan (about 1.5 hours, approximately 22 yuan) or hire a private car. The best time to visit is from May to October, when the grasslands are green and the weather is mild. Summer temperatures average a refreshing 15-25 degrees Celsius, and the region enjoys crisp air and abundant sunshine.

Top Attractions in Sunan

· Kangle Grassland: Also known as the 'China Yugur Cultural Corridor,' this vast grassland is the heart of Yugur cultural tourism. Highlights include the Jiupai Pine viewing platform, horseback riding guided by Yugur herders, and a Yugur folk village where you can try traditional clothing, drink butter tea, and watch cultural performances.

· Mati Temple (Horse Hoof Temple): A stunning complex of over 70 cliff-carved Buddhist grottoes dating back more than 1,600 years. The Thirty-Three Heavens Grotto stands out — a series of chambers carved vertically up a cliff face, offering breathtaking views of snow-capped mountains and surrounding valleys. It is a significant pilgrimage site for both Tibetan and Han Buddhists.

· Binggou Danxia Scenic Area: This dramatic landscape of red rock formations and canyons is often compared to (and considered by some to surpass) the more famous Zhangye Rainbow Danxia, with vibrant colors and far fewer crowds.

· China Yugur Cultural Corridor: A scenic route showcasing glaciers, forests, grasslands, and ethnic villages — ideal for self-driving tours and cultural immersion.

· Yugur Folk Culture Resort: Experience traditional performances, local crafts, and stargazing in a comfortable, family-friendly setting.

Suggested 3-Day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Arrive in Zhangye, drive to Sunan (1.5 hours), explore Kangle Grassland — Jiupai Pine viewing platform, horseback riding, Yugur folk village. Watch the sunset over the grassland. Overnight near the grassland and enjoy stargazing.

2. Day 2: Visit Mati Temple scenic area in the morning, see the cliff grottoes and experience Tibetan Buddhist culture. In the afternoon, drive to Binggou Danxia for photography at golden hour. Return to Sunan county town for a Yugur dinner of hand-grabbed lamb and butter tea.

3. Day 3: Experience immersive Yugur culture — embroidery workshop, folk song and dance performance, and a visit to a herdsman's yurt. Drive back to Zhangye in the afternoon, stopping for photos along the way.

Practical Travel Tips

· Altitude: Sunan ranges from 1,300 to 5,500 meters above sea level. Most visitor areas sit around 3,000 meters, so take it easy on the first day, drink plenty of water, and bring warm clothing even in summer — nights can be cold.

· Transport: Public buses from Zhangye run twice daily to Kangle Grassland. Self-driving is recommended for flexibility; the mountain roads have sharp curves and steep slopes, so drive carefully. Download offline maps in advance, as some areas lack mobile signal.

· Food: Must-try dishes include hand-grabbed lamb (60-120 yuan per portion), butter tea (10-25 yuan per pot), yogurt and milk skin, and 'shaokaozi' (roasted barley flour cakes). Genuine yak jerky and Yugur embroidery make excellent souvenirs.

· Budget: A 2-day self-guided trip costs roughly 500 yuan per person excluding accommodation; guided cultural immersion experiences may cost more. Budget approximately 800-1,500 yuan per person for a comfortable 3-day itinerary with accommodation and meals.

· Respect local customs: Always ask permission before entering a herdsman's yurt, dress modestly at religious sites, and avoid littering on the grassland to protect this pristine environment.

Why the Yugur People Matter for China Cool Travelers and Culture Enthusiasts

The Yugur people represent one of China's most remarkable cultural treasures — a living testament to the resilience of nomadic civilizations and the extraordinary diversity of China's 56 ethnic groups. As global travelers increasingly seek authentic, immersive experiences over conventional sightseeing, the Yugur's grassland homeland in Sunan County offers exactly the kind of 'slow travel' that modern visitors crave.

The surge of interest in China's lesser-known destinations aligns with the broader 'China Cool' phenomenon that has driven inbound tourism growth of over 20 percent in 2026. International visitors are increasingly drawn not to the country's famous landmarks alone, but to the deep cultural experiences offered by communities like the Yugur — from learning traditional embroidery with local craftswomen to hearing the ancient throat-singing melodies that have echoed across the Qilian Mountains for over a millennium.

For culture enthusiasts, anthropologists, and musicologists, the Yugur offer a rare window into a nearly extinct way of life. With fewer than 15,000 members, fluent speakers of both Yugur languages numbering in the hundreds, and complete traditional song repertoires preserved by fewer than a hundred elders, the Yugur are a living reminder that cultural diversity is finite and precious. Every visit to Sunan supports local heritage preservation efforts and helps ensure that this ancient voice continues to be heard for generations to come.

Whether you are a seasoned traveler seeking off-the-beaten-path adventures, a linguist fascinated by endangered languages, or simply someone who appreciates the rich tapestry of human culture, the Yugur people of Gansu Province deserve a place on your itinerary. Their story — of migration, survival, song, and spirit — is a chapter of Chinese history that remains vibrant and alive, waiting to be discovered.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Yugur People

This section answers the most commonly asked questions about the Yugur people, helping you plan your visit or deepen your understanding of this remarkable culture.

Q1. How many Yugur people are there in China?

According to the 2021 China Statistical Yearbook, the Yugur population numbers approximately 14,700 people. More than 90 percent live in Sunan Yugur Autonomous County in Gansu Province, with the remainder in communities such as Huangnibao Yugur Township near Jiuquan.

Q2. What languages do the Yugur people speak?

The Yugur use three languages: Western Yugur (a Turkic language related to Uyghur), Eastern Yugur (a Mongolic language related to Mongolian), and Mandarin Chinese. The two Yugur languages belong to different branches of the Altaic family, and Chinese serves as the common written language.

Q3. Are the Yugur related to the Uyghur people?

Yes. The Yugur trace their ancestry to the ancient Uyghur Khaganate that ruled the Mongolian steppe in the 8th-9th centuries. The self-name 'Yogur' is etymologically linked to 'Uyghur.' After the Khaganate's collapse in 840 CE, one branch migrated to the Hexi Corridor and eventually became today's Yugur people.

Q4. Where is Sunan Yugur Autonomous County located?

Sunan Yugur Autonomous County is located in the northern foothills of the Qilian Mountains, about 90 kilometers southwest of Zhangye city in Gansu Province, northwestern China. It sits along the historic Hexi Corridor at elevations ranging from 1,300 to 5,500 meters.

Q5. What is the best time to visit the Yugur homeland?

The best time to visit Sunan County is from May to October, when the grasslands are green and weather is mild. Summer temperatures average 15-25 degrees Celsius. The Yugur Ethnic Customs Tourism Festival is held in July-August, offering the best opportunity to see traditional performances and cultural activities.

Q6. What is the Yugur traditional wedding ceremony like?

The Yugur wedding is a two-day celebration recognized as a national intangible cultural heritage. The ceremony includes the 'Dai Tou Mian' (head-dressing) ritual, where the bride's hair is styled and she wears the heavy ornamental headdress; the groom shoots three arrows toward the bride (symbolizing mutual affection); and extensive singing and feasting with hand-grabbed lamb and butter tea.

Q7. What food do the Yugur people traditionally eat?

Yugur cuisine is based on meat and dairy products from their nomadic herding lifestyle: hand-grabbed mutton, whole roasted lamb, air-dried beef, butter tea, yogurt, milk skin, and dried milk curds. They follow a custom of 'three cups of tea and one meal' daily. Certain animals (birds, fish, horses, donkeys, mules, dogs) are traditionally forbidden.

Plan Your Yugur Cultural Journey

Ready to experience the Yugur people and the breathtaking landscapes of Sunan Yugur Autonomous County? Kiki Holidays specializes in curated cultural journeys across China's northwest, including bespoke itineraries that combine the Qilian Mountains, Zhangye's Rainbow Danxia, and immersive Yugur cultural experiences. Our human-designed tours include local guides, traditional accommodation, and authentic encounters with Yugur herders, folk artists, and craftspeople. Contact us to design your unforgettable journey to one of China's most extraordinary ethnic homelands.

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