Nyingchi (Linzhi) Travel Guide

Chinese Name: 林芝 (lín zhī)
Population: 238,000
Area: 117,000 square kilometers (45,173 square miles)
Location: in the southeast of Tibet, southwest China
Administrative Division: 1 district (Bayi); 6 counties (Kongpo Gyamda, Mainling, Medog, Bomi, Zayu, Lanxian)
Area Code: 0894
Zip Code: 860000
GDP (2018): CNY 17.245 billion (USD 2.5 billion)
Nationalities: Tibetan, Han, Monba, Luoba

Located in southeastern Tibet Autonomous Region on the Brahmaputra (Yarlung Tsangpo River), Nyingchi is the gateway to Tibet from Yunnan and Sichuan. It neighbors Diqing of Yunnan to the east and is bordered by Lhasa to the west. In the south, it shares a boundary with India and Burma. This city is over 400 kilometers (248 miles) east of Lhasa.

Tibet is high-altitude and desolate in many people’s eyes, but Nyingchi only has an average height of 3,000m (9,843 ft) with idyllic scenery. In March and April, when the cold air is still raging on the plateau, the bloomy peaches have spread around the Nyingchi’s snow mountains, fields, river valleys, highways, and Tibetan villages. The best peach viewing places are Kongpo Gyamda, Mainling and Bomi.

But you can also feel the magnificent plateau beauty by visiting The Grand Canyon of Yarlung Tsangpo, Yarlung Tsangpo River, Benri Mountain and Midui Glacier. The Grand Canyon of Yarlung Tsangpo is the deepest canyon in China with vast unspoiled forests including wild peach trees and original Tibetan villages. The deepest point of the Canyon is 6,009 meters (19,715 feet), and the average depth is 2,268 meters (7,441 feet). A hike to Pagsum Lake also can be waved into the experience here.

 Pictures 

 Yarlung Tsangpo River: It cuts through the Himalayas making a unique u-turn round Mt. Namcha Barwa before reaching Motuo (Medog County) and the famous Yarlung Tsangpo Canyon. The canyon is 496 kilometers long and is deeper than the Grand Canyon in America. It is, in fact, the deepest canyon in the world. In the innermost recesses of the canyon lies Motuo, the only county in China without a single road. It is like an isolated and mysterious 'Xanadu' seemingly outside the earthly world.  Needless to say, it is best traveled on foot. Want to have a trekking in Motuo? You can read Motuo Trekking.

 Zayu: It is a fertile place at the convergence of the Himalayas and Hengduan Mountains. It is crisscrossed by rivers and the weather is moderate throughout the year. Zayu is like a southern China water town reminiscent of a picturesque painting on the Tibetan Plateau. Rice, vegetables and fruits grow on its terraces and plains.

 Other Scenic Spots: Pagsum lake, Benri Mountain, Midui Glacier, Pugu Monastery.

Pagsum lake

Yarlung Tsangpo River

Nyingchi Mainling Airport is 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) from Mainling's county seat of Mainling and 72 kilometers (45 miles) from Nyingchi (Linzhi) County. It currently operates five flights a week to Chengdu.

Buses leave Bayu Town in Nyingchi County for Lhasa daily at 8:30 a.m. There is now a planned road from Bomi and Motuo to Nyingshi. Construction is expected to start in 2008 and be completed in two years.

Due to the high Indian Ocean winds, the area enjoys temperate semi-humid weather. This climate promotes the growth of lush, green forested areas. Milder weather prevails most of the year but the winters are cold with average temperatures of 32F. October through April is probably the ideal period to visit although winter months can be cold. May though September the weather is warmer; however, this is also the region's rainy season. 

 History: Nyingchi is one of the important cradles of ancient Tibetan civilization having been settled as early as four or five thousand years ago. It was under domination of the Tupo Kingdom for two hundred years (7th century to the 9th century). Since its liberation in 1951, it has moved away from its long past as a feudal society.

 Physical Features: Nyingchi is noted for its verdant mountainous terrain and clear waterways. The Himalayan and Tangula mountains wend their way from west to east to join the Hengduan Mountains. Because of the large number of river valleys and alpine gorges, the region is sometimes referred to as the 'Switzerland of Tibet'.

 Special Local Products: Chinese herbal medicines; Menba wooden bowls; bambooware; pottery and fruits such as oranges, apples and grapes.

 Local Highlights: The Niangbu Lasu Festival is held in Kongpo Gyamda County on the tenth day of the 'horse year' on the Tibetan calendar. It features sacrificial rites as well as horse and yak racing and singing and dancing performances. The Kongpo New Year Festival, also in Kongpo Gyamda, is held on October 1. It is filled with such entertainment as ethnic singing and dancing, horse racing and archery contests.

Incorruptible Rock

Verdant mountainous terrain

 Further Reading:

15 Most Beautiful Places in China