Name: Nangchen County Chinese name: 囊谦县 Province: Qinghai Status: County (xian) Population: 59,066 Area: 72,000 km²

Nangchen is an administrative county under the jurisdiction of the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in the Qinghai region. The county is situated in the southern part of Qinghai Province, bordering the Chamdo District of Tibet. The county seat is Sharda, located 165 km from Gyegu and 965 km from Xining.

History

Nangchen was part of the Kham region in ancient times.

Until the 1950s, Nangchen was an independent kingdom, separate from both Tibet and Pékin.

Today

With an economy built on nomadic farming, Nangchen is a county heavily affected by poverty. Some villages still lack electricity, and access roads remain scarce.

Still remarkably pristine, the landscapes remain untouched by infrastructure, scattered with Buddhist monasteries perched on hillsides.

Venture out to meet the nomads and stop along the way to visit monasteries, immersing yourself in this distinctive Buddhist atmosphere.

Climate

Weather here is quite harsh, with a high-altitude climate. Average winter temperatures hover around −6°C in the coldest month. In summer, the average reaches just 14°C in the coldest month.

Rainfall is abundant throughout the county.

How to Get There

You can reach Nangchen by minivan from the small bus station in Gyegu.

How to Get Around Nangchen County

You can rent a jeep to explore the county and navigate the still-challenging roads more easily.

Certain hikes can also be done on horseback.

What to Do in Nangchen County

• Meet the nomads and experience their way of life.
• Discover Tibetan monasteries and immerse yourself in their Buddhist history and culture.
• Meditate before the spectacular mountain landscapes of Gebchak Gonpa.