It was incorporated in 1952,[2][additional citation(s) needed] and has continuously existed since 1960.

It is the unofficial capital of the Yi People and the birthplace of the Torch Festival.

[4] Butuo is considered very impoverished, traditional and still significantly influenced by the legacy of feudalism and slavery, which was only reformed in the 1950s.

[6] The bamboo mouth harp (Kouxian) of Butou County was included as intangible cultural heritage of the Yi People.

The altitude of Butuo County is about 2,460 m (8,070 ft), which makes it have a subtropical highland climate (Cwb).