Autonomous prefectures are one type of autonomous administrative divisions of China, existing at the prefectural level, with either ethnic minorities forming over 50% of the population or being the historic home of significant minorities. Autonomous prefectures are mostly majority Han Chinese by population. The official name of an autonomous prefecture includes the most significant minority in that region, sometimes two, rarely three. For example, a Kazakh (Kazak in official naming system) prefecture may be called Kazak Zizhizhou. 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 (or top) to third levels of its national administrative divisions thus:

[Map of all minority regions under autonomous rule designated by the Central Government

{{legend|#78D2FF|Autonomous Region}} {{legend|#78FFD2|Autonomous Prefecture}} {{legend|#FFA850|Autonomous County}} {{legend|#B9A03A|Autonomous Banner}} {{legend|#FF0000|Ethnic district}} | upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/04/Autonomous///rule///divisions///in///China.png]

List of autonomous prefectures

Ethnic composition of autonomous prefectures

Former autonomous prefectures of China

Administrative prefecture level units with a population of 30% or more of ethnic minorities