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CHEMI
NYINGCHI, KONGPO, TIBET ETHNIC DIVERSITY -
NATURAL WONDERS
NYINGCHI (KONGPO) PREFECTURE
Nyingchi
Prefecture, previously Tibetan's Kongpo area, this land is situated in the lower reach of the Yarlung Tsangbo
River. This
climate is uniquely mild and wet at an altitude of 3,000 meters,
bordering India and Burma to the south and Yunnan Province
to the east. A considerable allotment of lakes, glaciers and
waterfalls makes the region chock full of breathtaking
natural wonders. One of the main attraction is the Yarlung Tsangbo River
which cuts through the
Himalayas, forming the Grand Yarlung Tsangbo Canyon, the deepest in
the world, at the foot of Mt. Namjagbarwa. The Medong Nature Reserve
is famed for its great variety of rare species of plants. The Tsayu
area with semi-tropical climate and vegetation is popular with
nature-lovers. Lake Basumtso and other exceptional scenery of
natural wonder are also admired tourist attractions. The region is
known as 'Tibetan Jiangnan', which means those regions to
the south of the Yangtze River. The Tibetans refer to the
area as, 'the throne of the sun'. As China's third largest
forested region, Nyingchi covers 80% of the Tibetan area
forest resources that once belonged to Tibet. See
Tibetan Mountains.
KONGPO NATURE RESERVES
KONGPO CULTURAL
TREASUREHOUSE
Pemako National Fauna and Flora
Reserve, Dzayul Rare Fauna and Flora Reserve and Pagqi
Cypress Reserve all have a spectacular variety of flora and
fauna, including over 3500 plants and trees, even palm
trees.
Over
100 different species of wildlife can be found here,
including the magnificent Bengal tigers, pangolins, red-chested
parrots, boas and yakins.
Due to the vast river, glacier,
and waterfall resources in this Tibetan land now occupied by
China, the area provides a wealthy supply of water resources
and wondrous beauty. These areas can be reached by highways
from Sichuan, Yunnan, Lhasa and the Shannan Region.
The Tibetan area Kongpo, now
referred to as Nyingchi Prefecture has a history of over
4,000 years.
Practicing
the Bon Religion here for centuries, Tibetans enjoyed this
fertile land along with other ethnic groups like the Menpa,
Luopa, Naxi, Dulong, and Deng, and others. There may be as
many as ten unique groups in the area, many who continue
their cultural traditions in spite of the current climate.
It is no wonder some groups still cling to life in the
canyons of this wilderness. The Menpa/Monba and the Luopa/Lhoba
people still carry on their primitive but distinctive
customs in the deepest part of the Great Canyon.
BAYI TOWN
TSETANG (Zetang)
The administrative office of
the Nyingchi Prefecture is located in Bayi Town. It's a
bustling Chinese city with plenty of hotels and services. At
2,900 meters above sea level, this city is surrounded by
green mountains, with abundant rain and a pleasant climate.
Before the 1960s Bayi Town was a desolate flood land, an
open wilderness where wildlife abounded. The town then had
two small temples with a population of nomads and farmers.
Later, to commemorate the People's Liberation Army's
contribution to the construction of the "Lhabagar" town, it
was renamed Bayi Town. Under Chinese rule, the small rural
community became a city of wool mills, power plants, timber
mills, paper mills, printing houses, and building materials
businesses. Only in the late nineties and the years
following did this town explode into a population of 14,000,
workers needed to harvest these forests for expansion all
over China. Although Bayi Town itself doesn't have much to
see, it's a good stopping over point to get supplies and map
out your journey into the surrounding regions. Come to old
Kongpo while the forests still stand and the nomads still
linger.
Zetang, as the birthplace of
the earliest Tibetans, sits on the south bank in the middle
section of the Yarlung Tsangbo River. It has a
moderate climate at an altitude of 3,600 meters. The scenic
area nearby is the a series of national parks, one of which
is where Samya Monastery and Yarlung River scenic area is
located.
Also Yumbu Lhakang
Palace. Located in the center of the Yarlung valley, Yumbu
Lhakang is a medieval-European-castle-like structure,
reputed to be the oldest building in Tibet. It was built by
or for, Nyatri Tsanpo in the 2nd century B.C., a Tibetan
king. In the 7th century it reportedly became the summer
palace of King Songtsan Gampo and Princess Wencheng. With
traditional Tibetan colors of red and white, it has the
ambiance of a Tibetan castle, it's rock structure amazing.
The view of the valley from the top of the edifice is
breathtaking. Traduk Monastery is also nearby.
SAMYE MONASTERY
CHONGKYE
- TOMB OF THE KINGS
Samye Monastery is built on the
site of the first formal Buddhist monastery in Tibet.
Although a number of Buddhist temples predated the Samye
monastery, Buddhism was still resisted by the aristocratic
Bonpo families. In response, King Trisong Detsen invited
Padmasambhava to Tibet to subdue hostile elemental forces.
At Samye, he crushed the local demons and consecrated the
site for Tibet's first monastery. To get to Samye one must
cross the river in a wooden boat, then ride for six or so
dusty miles in the back of a truck. It isn't easy, but it is
well worth the trouble for the adventurous. The entire
construction is designed in accordance with the shape of a "mandala."
Forest-like stupas pop high into the clouds, while the
entire building is royally expansive, the temple rising into
the heavens. Truly there is no other monastery remaining
like Samye, with a rare combination of architectural styles,
wood and stone carvings and magnificent frescos. Sadly, the
monastery suffered considerable damage during the Cultural
Revolution, but restorations are now underway.
This is the only site where a
group of Tibetan royal tombs have been discovered. Covering
a total of 3.85 million square meters, the Tombs of Tibetan
kings in Chongkye County offer an amazing glimpse into the
Tibetan past during the Tupo Dynasty. Buried here are the
most important people of their time, from royal concubines,
ministers and kings between the 29th-40th generations of the
Tubo era. Remarkable enough is the pristine area the royals
choose as their last resting place. Having all of the
Tibetan kingdom to select from they chose Chongkye with it's
treasures of natural beauty, shady trees and glorious wild
flower. Of all the tombs, you will certainly be impressed by
the tomb of Songtsan Gampo's. Imagine his power and
prestige, all that he accomplished, everything he enjoyed
and possessed. Still, as with all humans, he moved on to
that ether world, to the bardo and beyond, maybe to the
heavens or maybe to another life. For all we know, he was
now be a worm in our garden or a snow lion or an enlightened
Buddha amonst us. To witness this burial ground is to honor
all those who have lived before us and all those who live
after us, offering hope for us all.
TRADUK MONASTERY
As one of the earliest
monasteries in Tibetan Buddhist history, Traduk Monastery
was built back in 641 A.D.. Imagine it! King Songtsan Gampo established the temple to suppress the ogress
(ogre, see Religion) in
order to gain prosperity for his kingdom. At one time may have been
used as the winter palace
of King Songtsan Gampo and Princess Wencheng. Of all the
treasures, art and relics kept in this monastery, the pearled Tangka -- "Avalokitesvara
at his rest" is the most remarkable one. Stop by while you are
in the Shannon area and enjoy the historical significance of
this wondrous place.
NO "TOUR GROUP"
LIMITATIONS
ANYWHERE YOU WANT TO GO - WE TAKE YOU!
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entirely your responsibility. We wish you happy travels.
This
climate is uniquely mild and wet at an altitude of 3,000 meters,
bordering India and Burma to the south and Yunnan Province
to the east. A considerable allotment of lakes, glaciers and
waterfalls makes the region chock full of breathtaking
natural wonders. One of the main attraction is the Yarlung Tsangbo River
which cuts through the
Himalayas, forming the Grand Yarlung Tsangbo Canyon, the deepest in
the world, at the foot of Mt. Namjagbarwa. The Medong Nature Reserve
is famed for its great variety of rare species of plants. The Tsayu
area with semi-tropical climate and vegetation is popular with
nature-lovers. Lake Basumtso and other exceptional scenery of
natural wonder are also admired tourist attractions. The region is
known as 'Tibetan Jiangnan', which means those regions to
the south of the Yangtze River. The Tibetans refer to the
area as, 'the throne of the sun'. As China's third largest
forested region, Nyingchi covers 80% of the Tibetan area
forest resources that once belonged to Tibet. See
Over
100 different species of wildlife can be found here,
including the magnificent Bengal tigers, pangolins, red-chested
parrots, boas and yakins.
Practicing
the Bon Religion here for centuries, Tibetans enjoyed this
fertile land along with other ethnic groups like the Menpa,
Luopa, Naxi, Dulong, and Deng, and others. There may be as
many as ten unique groups in the area, many who continue
their cultural traditions in spite of the current climate.
It is no wonder some groups still cling to life in the
canyons of this wilderness. The Menpa/Monba and the Luopa/Lhoba
people still carry on their primitive but distinctive
customs in the deepest part of the Great Canyon. 
Also Yumbu Lhakang
Palace. Located in the center of the Yarlung valley, Yumbu
Lhakang is a medieval-European-castle-like structure,
reputed to be the oldest building in Tibet. It was built by
or for, Nyatri Tsanpo in the 2nd century B.C., a Tibetan
king. In the 7th century it reportedly became the summer
palace of King Songtsan Gampo and Princess Wencheng. With
traditional Tibetan colors of red and white, it has the
ambiance of a Tibetan castle, it's rock structure amazing.
The view of the valley from the top of the edifice is
breathtaking. Traduk Monastery is also nearby.
