Autonomous prefecture
Autonomous prefectures are one type of autonomous [administrative divisions of China|autonomous administrative division in China], existing at the prefectural level, with either ethnic minorities forming over 50% of the population or being, most commonly, the historic home of significant minorities. The official name of an autonomous prefecture includes the most significant minority in that region, sometimes two, rarely three. For example, a prefecture with a large number of Kazakhs may be called a Kazak Autonomous Prefecture. Like all other prefectural level divisions, autonomous prefectures are divided into county level divisions. There is one exception: Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture contains two prefectures of its own. Under the Constitution of the People's Republic of China, autonomous prefectures cannot be abolished.
Autonomous administrative divisions
The PRC's autonomous administrative divisions may be found in the first to third levels of its national administrative divisions thus:| Level | Type | Chinese | Pinyin | Number as of June 2005 |
| Province | Autonomous regions | 自治区 | 5 | |
| Prefecture | Autonomous prefectures | 自治州 | 30 | |
| County | Autonomous counties | 自治县 | 117 | |
| County | Autonomous banners | 自治旗 | 3 |
Former autonomous prefectures of China
- Hainan Li and Miao Autonomous Prefecture in Guangdong, abolished because of the establishment of Hainan Province.
- Hedong Hui Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu, later changed name as Wuzhong Hui Autonomous Prefecture, abolished because of the establishment of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.
- Xihaigu Hui Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu, later changed name as Guyuan Hui Autonomous Prefecture, abolished because of the establishment of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region.
- Guixi Zhuang Autonomous Prefecture in Guangxi Province, abolished because of the establishment of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.
- Bayinhot Mongol Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu, included today's Dengkou County and Alxa League. The autonomy abolished after it merged into Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.