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

2. Xigaze Region- Most comprehensive natural landscapes

Xigaze is located in the mid-south of Tibet. It neighbours Lhasa to the east, Ngari to the west, Nagqu to the north, Bhutan, Sikkim and Nepal lie to its south. Besides the city of Xigaze, the region also includes 17 counties: Nyalam, Dinggye, Gyirong, Sagya, Yadong, Gyangze, Xaitongmoin, Lhaze, Ngamring, Tingri, Gamba, Kangmar, Zhongba, Saga, Rinbung, Bainang and Namling. Covering a total area of 180,000 square kilometres, the region has a population of 635,200 (by the year 2000). Apart from the majority of Tibetan people, there are also Han, Hui, Mongolian and Naxi ethnic minorities and the Xarba people. The administration office of the region is located at the city of Xigaze, 228 kilometres away from Lhasa.

Among the traditional Tibetan names, The ethnic handicrafts fascinate foreign tourists the region centering on the city of Xigaze on the small commodity market of Xigaze. is known as "Zang." In the standard Chinese language, the region is called "Hou-zang" (Rear Tibet). This is the origin of names like "Xi-zang" (Tibet), "Zang-zu" (Tibetan nationality) and other titles related with Tibet. (The region centering on Lhasa is called "Uuml" or "Front Tibet." Together with "Zang" they form the traditional term "Uuml-Zang" or "Front and Rear Tibet.")
Xigaze Region is the most complete showcase of typical Tibetan natural landscapes from vast plateau pasture and beautiful cultivated fields to subtropical forests and bellowing snow-capped mountains. The Mount Qomolangma State Nature Reserve is the world's highest and most intact ecological system vertically distributed. The area's major historical sites include the monasteries of Tashilhunpo, Xalhu, Natang, Sagya, Rongbo, Jo-nang and Palkor. There are also the Pala Manor and the battle ruins against British forces at the Dzong Hill of Gyangze.

Xigaze is recognized internationally as the most suitable place for mountain climbing. Tibet has been developing the area for mountain-climbers. The highest mountains along the Himalayas all gather here. Five Tibetan peaks higher than 8,000 metres all stand here: Mount Qomolangma (8,843.13m), Lozi (8,516m), Markalu (8,463m), Qowowuyag (8,201 m) and Xixabangma (8,012m). Since 1980, the Chinese Government has opened the climbing routes of 44 mountains in or partly inside Tibet. In recent years, an average of over 20 overseas mountain-climbing teams visit Mount Qomolangma every year.
Some of the special products of Xigaze include: silver-covered wooden bowl, tea tray and tea cup holder, Tibetan carpet and gold-rimmed cap of Xigaze; butter lantern, silver bowl and Tibetan knife of Sagya County; wool carpets for sitting or hanging and woman's gold-rimmed cap of Gyangze County; waist sword and boot of Lhaz6 County; silver bowl, silver waist band button and pottery jar of Tingri County; the Zeji back sack of Kangma County; the wooden bowl and bamboo ware of Gyirong County; the Yadong fish, wool and highland barley wine of Yadong County; the Kaga Tibetan knife of Xaitongmoin County; the Sangsang butter of Ngamring County; the Tibetan paper and Gamba sheep cream of Gamba County; the jade ware and carpet of Rinbung County; the Dongga Tibetan boot, Wangdan carpet, Baigang Tibetan incense and Bainang zamba of the Bainang County.
The China-Nepal International Road crosses Xigaze, while the 219 State Road connects the region with Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. By way of Ny6mo, one can reach the Qinghai-Tibet Highway and Qinghai-Tibet Railway. The Peace Airport of Xigaze will soon become available for civil use.

Ancient city of Rear Tibet - Xigaze

Xigaze is the second largest city of Tibet. Under the administration of the Xigaze Region, it is the only county-level city in the Tibet Autonomous Region. At an elevation of 3,836 metres, the city is 273 kilometres away from Lhasa.

Xigaze is a plateau city with nearly 600 years of history. It used to be the political and cultural centre of Rear Tibet. During the Yuan Dynasty in the mid-13th century, the Xigaze region was under jurisdiction of the Xalhu Wanhuzhang, one of 13 commanders dispatched by the central government, each of whom controlled 10,000 households. In the early 14th century, Qamqoi Gyaincain established the Phag-gru Regime to replace the Sagya Regime. He moved the region's political centre from Xalhu to Xigaze and constructed the Xigasamzhuz6. "Samzhuze" means "to fulfill what one wishes;" "Xiga" was the common name for all manors in feudal Tibet (it later became the title of an administration level). With this name, Qamqoi Gyaincain meant that his great wishes had been fulfilled , Xigaze was the last administrative region he would set up. Later on, the long name "Xigasamzhuze" was shortened to "Xigaze. " After many translations, it finally became known as "Xigaze" (or "Rika-ze" in mandarin). Lying on the Riguang Hill to the north of downtown Xigaze, the old Xigasamzhuze castle is well preserved. With the foundation laid in 1360, the castle was completed in 1363. Built along the hill, the castle has four layers and is nicknamed "Little Potala Palace" among the Tibetans. Folk legends say that during the rule of Qing Dynasty Emperor Kangxi, the expansion of the Potala Palace had drawn inspiration from this castle in Xigaze. The castle embraces the Riguang hill, with zig-zagging corridors connecting palaces, halls, mansions and pavilions. The ground and first floors of the castle once served as the offices, prisons and warehouses.

In 1447, Gendain Zhuba who was later known as the 1 st Dalai Lama began to build the Tashilhunpo Monastery at Xigaze. In the 52nd year of Qing Dynasty Emperor Kangxi's reign, the Emperor granted the title of "Panchen Erdeni" to the Panchen Lama who had administration authority over Rear Tibet. The Tashilhunpo Monastery became Panchen Lama's administration office. In the early 20th century, when the 9th Panchen Lama broke rapport with the 13th Dalai Lama and left Tibet for Central China, the local Tibetan Kashak Cabinet set up an administration office at Xigaze, which commanded six departments. After the peaceful liberation of Tibet, the "17 Agreements" ensured the status and power of Panchen Erdeni. The 10th Panchen was then able to return to the Tashilhunpo Monastery.
In 1960, Xigaze became a county. In 1986, the State Council authorized it to become a city.
When Tibet was peacefully liberated in 1951, there were about 10,000 people in Xigaze. Today, the population has grown into 40,000, as the city's area has increased four times to cover 22 square kilometres. There are now enterprises in power generation, machinery, farming machines, pharmaceutical, printing, leather, construction, automobile repairing, food processing and grocery production. Facilities on commerce, tourism, finance, science, hygiene, education, real estate, office and shopping have been established in the second largest city of Tibet. The travel and public service facilities of Xigaze are next only to those of Lhasa in Tibet.

The most famous places of historical interests here are the Tashilhunpo, Xalhu and Natang monasteries.

The public security and foreign affairs hotline of Xigaze is 8822240. Tourists can also complain at 8822221. The long-distance code is 0892.

Gyangze Town

The Gyangze County government is situated at Gyangze Town on the northern bank of the mid-Nyang Qu River. The town is at 4,040 metres above sea level.
Gyangze has a long history. Long before Xigaze flourished, Gyangze had been the political, economic and cultural centre of Rear Tibet. The busy town was the pivot of communications among Lhasa, Yadong and Xigaze. The Qing Dynasty government once dispatched 500 soldiers here to guard the frontier lines. The local Tibetan government also set up an administration office here. In 1959, the administration offices of the Gyangze County and Prefecture were established here. In 1964, it was included in the Xigaze Prefecture and the Gyangze County also belongs to Xigaze. Since a direct road from Lhasa to Xigaze was completed, the vehicles passing by Gyangze have reduced in number. Still, the town is an important pivot connecting Yadong in south, Xigaze in west, Shannan in east and Lhasa in north.

The town of Gyangze has been developing very fast in recent years. There are now about 10,000 people living in this town, with all sorts of facilities ready and available. For tourists, the attractions of Gyangze include the famous battle site where Tibetans fought the British invading troops in 1904, the Palkor Monastery with its famous OneHundred-Thousand-Buddha Tower, the old Pala Manor, the pasture view at the Nyang Qu River and the famous Gyangze carpet. The carpets here have bright colours with complicated patterns and have been sold overseas. Many tourists travel for thousands of kilometres to buy or book carpets from the Gyangze Carpet Factory to get the real art works.

Dzong Hill is the original place of the Gyangze government. In 1904, the British troops led by Colonel Francis Younghusband invaded Tibet but met strong resistance at the Dzong Hill. The local soldiers and farmers fought against the well-equipped British troops with swords, arrows, self-made guns, even stones. They continued the heroic fight for three days and nights until all the ammunitions were exhausted. Then the resisters all leaped down the cliff. Gyangze thus became known as the "Hero City" to the world and the Dzong Hill became a memorial site. On the hill the old local government office is well preserved where researchers can study the feudal serfdom.

Shiasima Town

Shiasima Town is where the county government of Yadong is located. Yadong is originally the name of a small mountain village near Shiasima.

Yadong County is located on the border region. It is connected with Gyangze on the north, Sikkim and Bhutan on the south and not far from India, Nepal and Bangladesh. Starting from Shiasima, one can reach the small border town of Shiayadong in just 6 kilometres. At this town, one can take the western road for Gangtok, capital of Sikkim; or take the eastern road for Bhutan. Following the Yadong River to the south, one will reach the Qunbi Valley where the British invaders set up a base to launch military, political and economic invasion on China a century ago. Since the ancient times, Shiasima has been an important trade centre between Tibet and South Asian countries. In 1888, the Qing Dynasty government established the Yadong Custom Office here and border trade flourished. Most of the foreign goods that Tibetan nobles enjoyed came through this town. In recent years, border trade has again picked up momentum.

With humid weather, Shiasima has a high forest coverage with many cash trees and herbs. About 40 kilometres to the north is the Pagri town, which used to be called "Highest City in the World." The Tibetan people have built pine mansions at Shiasima with fences. The walls, fences and eaves are painted with folk patterns. Their bright colours and complicated designs make the buildings quite different from those in other Tibetan regions. The Donggar Monastery at Shiasima has over 500 years of history and belongs to the Gelug Sect. In July 1951, General Zhang Jingwu, envoy from the Central Government, came to the monastery and handed a letter written by Chairman Mao Zedong himself to the Dalai Lama. Also presented was a copy of the "17 Agreements," which laid foundation for the implementation of this historical agreement. Thus the Donggar Monastery also became quite famous. The famous Kambu Qucain Hot Spring is located at 30 kilometres to the north of Shiasima. On the way is the Garjug Monastery which still has a horizontal board inscribed with the words "Da fang guang ming" (Shine brightly) given by Shengtai, imperial minister of the Qing Dynasty. Outside the monastery is the battery site of the Qing soldiers fighting British troops.

Zhangmu Town

Passing by Chongdoi, where the county seat of Nyalam is located, one can witness the dramatic changes of topography and vegetation in the course of 32 kilometres before reaching the border town Zhangmu. The town is only 13 kilometres away from the Friendship Bridge on the Sino-Nepalese border and 100 kilometres to Kathmandu, capital of Nepal.

Zhangmu lies on the southern slope of the middle part of the Himalayas. With mild climate, the place has beautiful flowers blooming throughout the year. With its special location, the town has a great prospect in developing tourism. Many foreign excursion teams and mountain climbing teams have passed by this place in and out of China. The town has been an important trade centre between Tibet and Nepal since the old times. Before the China-Nepal Road was completed, people could only trek along dangerous paths across the Himalayas. The Xarba people who live nearby Zhangmu are famed for making a living by carrying heavy loads across the mountainous area. In 1965, the ChinaNepal Road entered operation from Lhasa to Kathmandu and completely revolutionized the backward transportation. With increasing trade exchange between China and Nepal, there are more merchants bringing in more goods every day.

The town has govemmental offices in custom, commercial inspection, border inspection, hygiene inspection, animal and plant quarantine, as well as reception for Tibetan compatriots. There are the Zhangmu Hotel for domestic and overseas tourists and businessmen, power station, hospital, post office, bank, school, TV station and some export trade offices.

3. Shannan Region - Combination of natural and cultural scenery