Liannan Yao Autonomous County (postal: Linnam; ) is located in the north of Guangdong province, China, and is part of Qingyuan prefecture-level city. It is one of Guangdong's three autonomous counties. More than half the population of the county is of Yao ethnicity.
The Yao people have inhabited the area that is the modern Liannan Yao Autonomous County since ancient times. Initially part of the Chu state during the Spring and Autumn period and Warring States period, it later fell under the administration of Changsha Commandery during the Qin dynasty and Guiyang Commandery during the Han dynasty. Later commanderies included Shixing, Yangshan and Xiping.In the Tang dynasty, the area was governed as part of the Lian Prefecture, until the Ming dynasty. The Qing dynasty incorporated traditional Yao leadership with the local governments and set up new administrative offices to manage the Yao-populated areas.
The Republic of China created Liannan County in 1946 as part of government reforms for minority areas, with Sanjiang as the county seat. In 1955 it was officially designated Liannan Yao Autonomous County. From 1958âÂÂ1961, the region was merged with various neighboring counties, but eventually restored under Shaoguan Prefecture's government. Liannan was transferred to the jurisdiction of Qingyuan city in 1988.
Liannan Yao Autonomous County borders Lianzhou to the northeast, Yangshan County to the southeast, Huaiji County to the south, Lianshan Zhuang and Yao Autonomous County to the west, and Jianghua Yao Autonomous County of Hunan to the northwest. The county covers a total area of 1,231 square kilometres, and administers 7 towns and 71 village (community) committees.
In 2024, Liannan recorded a gross domestic product (GDP) of ÃÂ¥7.207 billion, an increase of 0.2% year on year. The primary, secondary and tertiary sectors contributed ÃÂ¥1.35 billion (18.7%), ÃÂ¥1.397 billion (19.4%) and ÃÂ¥4.459 billion (61.9%) respectively. Per capita GDP reached ÃÂ¥53,087, while fixed asset investment declined by 31.2%. General public budget revenue totaled ÃÂ¥305 million, up 5.5%, though tax revenue fell to ÃÂ¥81 million. Public budget expenditure was ÃÂ¥2.269 billion, down 4.6%.
Agriculture and related industries grew modestly, with total output reaching ÃÂ¥2.054 billion. Industrial value added above designated size increased by 3.7%, despite a contraction in construction activity. The tertiary sector dominated the economy, supported by tourism and foreign trade. Retail sales remained largely flat at ÃÂ¥1.186 billion, while total imports and exports increased by 177.7%. Tourism recorded 474,400 visitors, generating ÃÂ¥492 million in revenue. By the end of 2024, financial institution deposits stood at ÃÂ¥6.666 billion and loans at ÃÂ¥4.476 billion.