Zhaotong (Chinese: 昭通) is a prefecture-level city located in the northeast corner of Yunnan province, China, bordering the provinces of Guizhou to the south and southeast and Sichuan to the northeast, north, and west.

During the Yuan Dynasty, it became the Wumeng Commandery (乌蒙路), during which many Hui Muslims settled in the area.

During the Qing dynasty, local tusi chieftains were removed, and the region was renamed Zhaotong Prefecture.

Influenced by the low latitude and moderate elevation, Zhaotong has a temperate subtropical highland climate (Köppen Cwb), with cool, dry winters, and warm, humid summers.

The main industries in the prefecture are mining, tobacco and cement manufacturing Zhaotong has some of the largest lignite sources in China.