Luodian is located in the southern part of Qiannan Bouyei and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou Province, along the Hongshui River at the junction of Guizhou and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. It is in close proximity to the "Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical Telescope (FAST)" (also known as "China's Sky Eye"). The county is 150 kilometers away from Guiyang, the provincial capital, and 170 kilometers from Duyun, the seat of the prefectural government.
With a total area of 3,013 square kilometers, Luodian administers 8 towns, 1 township, 1 sub-district, and 186 villages (communities). It has a total population of 367,000, consisting of 30 ethnic groups including the Han, Bouyei, Miao, and Dong. Among them, ethnic minorities account for 71% of the total population. Luodian is a key county under national support for rural revitalization.
Luodian boasts a long history and profound cultural heritage. Its administrative establishment can be traced back to the 3rd year of the Zhenguan era in the Tang Dynasty (629 AD), when Zhuangzhou Prefecture was set up, governing Le'an County (which is now within the territory of Luodian). The Manwa Branch of the Communist Party of China, one of the earliest underground Party branches in Guizhou, was founded here. The "Daguan Spirit" and "Mahuai Diligence" originated here, and 11 "National Model Workers" have emerged from the county over the years.
A variety of cultures converge and endure here: the vibrant ethnic cultures represented by the Bouyei and Miao peoples, the profound red culture (revolutionary culture), and the unique model worker culture. Together, they form the profound cultural foundation of Luodian.
Luodian enjoys convenient transportation. Two expressways - Yinbai Expressway and Yu'an Expressway - run through the county. National highways G552 and G212, as well as the dedicated tourist route to FAST, also pass through the area.
Via the waterway of the Hongshui River, ships can sail directly to the Xijiang River and the Pearl River. The Luotuo Port is over 300 kilometers away from the Longbang Port, and more than 1,200 kilometers away from the Modaomen Port in Guangdong Province. The integrated land-water transportation network, which connects to rivers and the sea, is driving Luodian to become an important transportation hub in southern Guizhou. It also serves as a key node city linking the Qianzhong Economic Zone with the Beibu Gulf Economic Zone, the Pan-Pearl River Delta Region, and the ASEAN Free Trade Area.
Luodian is situated in the subtropical monsoon climate zone, characterized by an early spring, a long summer, a late autumn, and a short winter. The annual average temperature is 19.6°C, with an average temperature of 11.6°C in winter. The county receives 1,350 to 1,520 hours of sunshine annually, with an average annual rainfall of 1,335 millimeters and a frost-free period as long as 335 days.
Known as a "natural greenhouse," Luodian is a national county for "vegetable basket" production (supplying vegetables to major cities) and one of the main production areas for fruits, dried fruits, and vegetables in Guizhou. Its characteristic agricultural products are well-known both inside and outside the province. Luodian navel oranges, pitayas, and Blumea balsamifera have been granted the status of National Geographical Indication Protected Products. The county has also been awarded titles such as "Hometown of Chinese Pitaya" and "National County with Safe Agricultural Product Quality."
Luodian is rich in natural resources. More than 30 kinds of minerals have been proven, including jade, marble, and silicon. It is also abundant in clean energy resources such as water, wind, and solar energy, and has a broad water area of over 300 square kilometers.
In terms of tourism resources, Luodian features unique attractions such as the Daxiaojing Scenic Area (known as the "Museum of Eastern Caves"), the Bangeng Beach of the "Triassic" Daguizhou Bank, the world's largest Dadahe Tiankeng (sinkhole), the Dongjia Wuxing Tiankeng, and the floating plank road on the Hongshui River.
The county has been honored with titles including "Hometown of Longevity in China," "China's Climate Livable City (County)," "Top 100 Counties for Ecotourism in China," "Guizhou Provincial Model County for Sports Tourism," and "Guizhou's Best Winter Resort." Its exclusive 4S tourism and living brand - "Sunshine, Sports, Sweetness, Slow Life" - is gradually gaining popularity. Luodian has become an ideal destination for health preservation and winter tourism.
In 2024, Luodian's gross regional product (GRP) reached 11.107 billion yuan, representing a year-on-year growth of 5.9%, ranking 4th in the prefecture in terms of growth rate. Specifically, the primary industry grew by 4.1%, the secondary industry by 9.0%, and the tertiary industry by 5.5%.
