Nakchu overview and highlights attractions
What to visit in North Tibet-Nakchu? Information about Nakchu Prefecture,Tibet
Full Name: Nakchu Prefecture
Nakchu, TibetChinese Name:
Population: 362,000
Area: 420,000 square kilometers (162,163 square miles)
Nationalities: Tibetan
Administrative Division: 10 counties (Nakchu, Lhari, Driru, Nyainrong, Amdo, Xainza, Sog, Palgon, Drachen, Nyima); 1 special district (Shuanghu Special District)
Seat of the Regional Government: 24, Zhejiang Xi Lu, Nakchu Town, Nakchu County
Useful Telephone Numbers: Tourist Complaints: 0896-3820677
Weather Forecast: 121
Zip Code Inquiry: 184
China Post Nakchu Branch: 149, Seni Xi Lu, Nakchu Town, Nakchu County
Location: Nachu Prefecture stands in the vast land of northern Tibet Autonomous Region, neighboring Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Qinghai Province to the north. Within Tibet, it is bordered by Chamdo Prefecture to the east, Lhasa to the south and Ngari to the west.
History: Nakchu area was known as 'Zhuodai' in the historical records of Tibet and means pasturing tribe, Nomads living there were called 'Zhuoba' of 'Qiangba'. Before the 7th Century, the Supi tribe governed this area. As the Tubo tribe became stronger and established its own regime in the 7th century, Nakchu was brought into the sphere of the new dynasty. After the Song Dynasty (960-1279), Nakchu was one of the four major tribes in northern Tibet.
Physical Features: The region is embraced by the mountains of Tanggula, Kangdese and Nyainqentanglha, guarded by snow capped Dargo Mountain in the west and Burgyi Mountain in the east. The terrain of Nakchu slopes downward from the west to the east. The average altitude of the region is over 4,500 meters (14,764 feet). Its eastern part holds a river valley which is the only agricultural belt in northern Tibet.
Climate: Belonging to the second frigid climatic zone, Nakchu is characterized by high altitude, coldness, lack of oxygen, dry and windy weather. Its annual average temperature falls around -3.3?to -0.9 (26.1-30.4?). November to March is the dry season.
When to Go: The weather is warm during the period from May to September, and this is the golden season for the grassland of Nakchu.
Local Highlights: The Horse Racing Festival, held every August, is quite an occasion to admire the natural landscape and folkcustoms of the grassland of northern Tibet.
The unpopulated area in northern Tibet is mysterious for tourists. Wild yaks and Tibetan antelopes inhabit this land. Rock paintings discovered in the undeveloped virgin ground add more mystery and charms to the deserted landscape.
Special Local Products: dried meat of yak and sheep, ghee, cashmere, Tibetan decorations
Attractions:
Mt. Nyainqentanglha: Driving 100 kilometers (62 miles) northward after leaving Lhasa and traversing the Yangpachen, visitors can see the mountain right in front of you. The snow-capped mountain with clouds wafting around the lofty peak is spoken of as a famous religious patron saint in Tibet, which is considered to be the chief sacred mountain in northern Tibet. Both Bonist and Buddhist disciples venerate it as the ashram of divinities. Namtso Lake and Changtang (Qiangtang) Pasture are all famous spots of this area.
Namtso Lake
Mt. Nyainqentanglha
Other Scenic Spots: Dargo Snow Mountain, Tsangyang Gyatse Lake, Serling Lake
Travel Tips:
Nakchu Railway Station is seated in Emadige Village of Mendi Township, which is about two kilometers (1.2 miles) from Nakchu County. Trains from Lhasa to Lanzhou, Xining, Chongqing, Chengdu and Beijing all make short stops at the station.
Discover more about Nakchu Attractions below as listed below: