Linzhi

Nyingchi (), also known as Linzhi ( zh, s=林芝, p=Linzhi) or Nyingtri, is a prefecture-level city in the southeast of the Tibet Autonomous Region in China. The administrative seat of Nyingchi is Bayi District.

Nyingchi is the location of Buchu Monastery.

History

The origins of Nyingchi date back to Tibet's prehistoric era. Researchers discovered several human bones and burial groups from the Neolithic Age near the Niyang River in the 1970s, suggesting that humans in Nyingchi were engaged in slash-and-burn agriculture and led a relatively sedentary lifestyle as early as 4,000-5,000 years ago. Unearthed artifacts, including net pendants and arrowheads, indicate that the inhabitants of this region, along the ancient Niyang River, Yarlung Zangbo River, and ancient lakes, were involved in both cultivation and fishing activities along the riverbanks.

Initially, Linzhi was under the dominion of the King of Kongpo. In the Sakya and Patrul epochs (13th-16th centuries), Nyingchi emerged as the dominion of the Karma Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Subsequently, in the 17th century, the Gandenpozhang regime was instituted, leading to the partitioning of Nyingchi into the territories of Ngapoi, Jangzhong, and Kala, which were further subdivided into Zelah, Jomu, Shekhar, and Jangdar dzongs. The Bomi region had long been governed by the indigenous leader Kallang Depa and was in a condition of secession.

In 1931, the Tibetan government partitioned Nyingchi Bomi into two administrative divisions: Bodu and Bomê, while the Mêdog area was reclassified as Mêdog zong.

Tibet was annexed by China in May 1951. In January 1960, the Tagaung Special Department was established, and in February 1960, it was restructured as the Nyingchi Prefecture, with the Special Department located in Nyingchi County. In March 2015, State Council of China sanctioned the dissolution of Linzhi Prefecture and the creation of Nyingchi City at the prefecture level, as well as the dissolution of Linzhi County and the establishment of Bayi District. In July 2021, Xi Jinping, at the time General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, President of China, and Chairman of the Central Military Commission, conducted a research visit to Nyingchi.

Economy

Tourism

The average elevation of Nyingchi is 3,040 meters (9,974 feet), which is the lowest compared with the other prefectures in Tibet. The relatively low elevation compared to other regions of the Tibetan plateau yields a lower risk of altitude sickness. Guangdong province announced in 2012 that it plans to invest more than RMB 400 million (US$63 million) in Nyingchi's tourism industry. According to the plan, Guangdong will help build 22 "prosperous model villages" in Nyingchi in counties such as Bomê and Zayü.

Transportation

The opening ceremony was held on the morning of September 9, 2015 for the (Lhasa to Mozhugongka section) and (Gongbu Jiangda to Linzhi section) connecting Lhasa- Linzhi. It takes about 5 hours to travel from Lhasa to Nyingchi by a highway opened at the end of 2018. Nyingchi is connected to Lhasa by the 435-kilometer Lhasa–Nyingchi railway, completed in 2021. The journey from Lhasa by train takes 2.5 hours.

The Linzhi Milin Airport was opened in Nyingchi in March 2017. Linzhi Airport initiated RNP navigation procedures in 2006, becoming the first airport in China to operate exclusively with RNP. It is presently the sole transportation airport globally where all aircraft takeoffs and landings are mandated to adhere to RNP AR procedures, necessitating compliance with specific aircraft and crew qualifications. In 2018, the construction of the Engineered materials arrestor system (EMAS) was completed at the Miling Airport.

Climate

Köppen-Geiger climate classification system classifies its climate as subtropical highland (Cwb).

Flora and fauna

According to local forestry officials, Nyingchi hosts the country's largest primitive forest region that covers 26.4 billion cubic metres, storing over 800 million cubic metres of wood. The forests of Bomi, Zayu and Loyu have ancient dragon spruces which reach heights of over 80 metres and diameters of 2.5 metres. Wildlife species include "the Bengal tiger, leopard, bear, snub-nosed monkey, antelope and lesser panda."

There are over 2,000 species of higher plants, including some 100 species of xylophyta, 165 species of medical herbs and fungus. Crops include "rice, peanut, apple, orange, banana, lemon. Agricultural products include medicinal materials, edible fungus, orange, tangerine, sugar cane, honey peach, apple, pear, grape, walnut and other fruits.

Administrative subdivisions

The two counties of Zayü () and Mêdog (), collectively known as part of South Tibet, are considered by the Chinese government to be under Chinese jurisdiction.

Sister cities

Pokhara, Nepal

See also

* Laohuzui Hydropower Station
* Medog Hydropower Station

References

External links

Tibetinfor.com

Nyingchi information and travel guides
at Nyingchi.com

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Prefecture-level divisions of Tibet