Běishèng

Beisheng lies among the mountains and basins of northwestern Yunnan, on a route between Sichuan and Dali. The Gao family held power here under the Dali kingdom and continued as hereditary chiefs after the Yuan conquest. The Ming stationed a garrison at Beisheng in 1395, creating the Lancang Guard to secure the route through the region. Soldiers farmed as well as served, while the Gao and neighboring chiefs retained authority over local communities. The Qing abolished the guard in 1687.