Tibet Regional Guide - Nyingchi		Recommended China Travel Agency: China Odyssey Tours   - China Tour   - Yangtze River Cruise   - Discount China Hotels

6. Nagqu Region - The place closest to the sun

The name "Nagqu" comes from the river Nagqu which is the upper reaches of the Nujiang River. In the past, the river was also called "Heihe" (Black River). In the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), the Manchurian rulers called the river "Halawusu" or "Kalawusu. " Today, "Nagqu" refers to the region, county, town, district and river.

Lying in the northern part of Tibet, the region has 10 counties: Nagqu, Jiali, Xainza, Bagen, Nyainrong, Nyima, Biru, Sog, Baingoin and Amdo. There is also the Shuanghu Special District. To the west of Nagqu is the Ngari Region, Qamdo lies to its east, Lhasa is its southern neighbour, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Qinghai Province lie to its north. To its southwest is the Xigaze Region, Nyingchi lies to its southeast. With a total area of 286,500 square kilometres, the region is home to 366,200 people (by the year 2000), 98 per cent of whom are Tibetans.

The regional administration office is located at the town of Nagqu. The QinghaiTibet, Hei-A (Nagqu to Ngari), Hei-Chang (Nagqu to Qamdo) highways and the QinghaiTibet Railway have turned the place into the transportation pivot of northern Tibet. The Nagqu Railway Station will be built in the western part of the town. The region is famous for the cashmere of sheep, goat and yak, Chinese caterpillar fungus, snow lotus, the fragrant wolf fur carpet, the bulb of fritillary and musk.

The local Tibetan people often refer to the plateau of northern Tibet as Changtang, which is mostly located in Nagqu. The vast Changtang grassland commands unique geological features and changing natural landscape. The great force of Nature has shaped the gorgeous mountains and rivers of this region. Nam Co, Seling Co, Tangra Yumco and over 1,000 lakes are like jadeite scattered on the grassland or gobi desert. There are numerous hot springs and geothermal spots. The region also has rich resources of wildlife and alpine vegetation. There are over 20 animal species under level one or level two national protection. The natural wonders and the special folk customs have formed distinctive tourism treasures. The local people have created colourful religious legends for the mountains, lakes and rivers of Changtang, which have retained their natural appearance. At the town of Nagqu sits the famous Shodain Monastery._ Every year, the town will host the Kyaggen Horse Race that is sure to draw crowds of local people. In the eastern part of Nagqu, there are still more places worthy of visiting: the Arza Lake and Zhungyi Township of Jiali County; the scenery along the Nujiang River, the primitive forest of Painpen, the Paingar-Yangxoi scenic area, Dodoga Skull Wall and the Meimo Karst Cave of Pulung in Biru County. The Tsangdain Monastery at Sog County has a long history. The ancient Bagen County used to be the centre of 39 Hor Tribes in the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). The ruins of the Hor King's palace, the Bacang, Lungka and Lupu monasteries of the Bon religion, etc., are all worthy of visiting.

Nagqu Town

The site of the Nagqu Town had become a transportation pivot and trade centre in northern Tibet long time ago. It takes up important place in the transportation history of Southwest China and that of China with the other countries. In the historical documents of the Qing Dynasty, Nagqu was called "Halawusu" or "Kalawusu," which are translations in the Manchurian and Mongolian languages. The name Nagqu comes directly from the Nagqu River,which is the upper reaches of the Nujiang River. In the Chinese language, "Nagqu" means "Heihe" (Black River). Among the Tibetan people, the site of the Nagqu Town is called "Nagquka." Thus "Nagqu" refers to the prefecture, county, town and the river.

The first direct record about human habitation here dates back to the mid-18th century. In 1953, 364 families lived here. There were Tibetan and Hui merchants, Mongolian doctors, as well as craftsmen working on iron, wood, rock and silver. In 1956, the Preparation Committee of the Tibet Autonomous Region set up the Heihe Jiqiao Office. After the democratic reform of 1959, the Heihe Prefecture and the Heihe County governments were set up. In 1960, the State Council authorized the change of name from Heihe prefecture and county to the Nagqu prefecture and county. Today, the Nagqu Town has developed into a prosperous city with over 10,000 residents and thousands of transient population. With new streets around many buildings and comprehensive social service facilities, Nagqu has become a centre of politics, economy, culture and transportation in northern Tibet.

Shodain Monastery is the biggest Gelug monastery in northern Tibet. Historically, it was the largest subsidiary in northern Tibet under the Sera Monastery in Lhasa. The huge monastery started from tents in 1774. The present scale was formed in 1904. Head of the Shodain Monastery, 7th Zhukang Living Buddha Tubdain Kaigrub, is now a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

The Foreign Affairs and Public Security telephone number of Nagqu Region is

7. Ngari Region - Ridge of the World's Ridges