Geographical conditions and the territorial control pattern in ancient Yunnan

Relatively stable political ruling and territorial control are prerequisites for urban constructing and landscape order shaping. Research on territorial control plays a significant role in comprehensively and accurately understanding the history of urban planning. Yunnan is an important sample for examining the changes of territorial control order and deserves further comprehensive research. Based on historical archives, local gazetteers, maps, and memorials of local officials to the rulers and emperors’ approval documents, this article comprehensively explores the territorial control pattern in ancient Yunan. This research reveals that: first, Yunnan played an extremely significant role in the stability and expansion of the territorial space of the imperial dynasties in Central Plains due to its association with the control points of multiple long-distance rivers. Second, Kunming in eastern Yunnan and Dali in the west formed a complementary unit in terms of territorial stability and expansion. Third, the core strategy adopted by ancient dynasties in administrating this province was to control Kunming and Dali and to ensure the good relations with the surrounding areas. Fourth, bureaucratization of native headmen was not to achieve direct control on a larger scale by central regimes, but rather a strategy to strengthen the territorial spatial safety.