The autonomous county spans an area of 20,176.7 square kilometres (7,790.3 sq mi), and is home to a total population of 39,283 as of 2021.

[2] The autonomous county is ethnically diverse, with large populations of Han Chinese, Yugurs, and Tibetans, with none comprising a majority.

[2] Sunan Yugur Autonomous County consists of three separate areas: Mínghua District, situated in the plains in the northwest, and Huángcheng District, situated in the mountains in the southeast, are separated from the main part of the county.

[2] Sunan Yugur Autonomous County is located in the middle portion of the Hexi Corridor, along the northern foot of Qilian Mountains.

[2] Prominent mountains within the autonomous county include Suzhu Lian (Chinese: 素珠链; pinyin: Sùzhū Liàn) and the July 1 Glacier.

[2] Sunan Yugur Autonomous County has an semi-arid alpine climate, with cold winters and cool summers.

[9] Sunan Yugur Autonomous County had a total gross domestic product (GDP) of 3.306 billion renminbi (RMB) as of 2021, an increase of 5.8% from 2020.

[2] Sunan Yugur Autonomous county is home to a sizable mining industry, and rich in deposits of coal, copper, iron, tungsten, chromium, manganese, and other mineral resources.