Chamdo Facts

With an area about 108,600 sq km, Chamdo Region is the oldest inhabit for the people in Tibet. Besides the important situation in the east part of Tibet, Chamdo is called as the East Gate to this highland district from Sichuan, Yunnan and Qinghai provinces.

The political and commercial center of the region is Chamdo Town, which is just located along the Qinghai-Tibet Highway that connects Sichuan and Tibet. Two rivers passing through the town divide it into four districts.

Like other parts of Tibet, most of Tibetan people in Chamdo Region believe in Tibetan Buddhism. There are many ancient monasteries, murals and sculptures that have been left in the name of Tibetan Buddhism. Splendid sacred mountains and holy lakes are also scattered throughout the region. Besides, there is a Catholic church in Chamdo Region, one of the two Catholic churches in Tibet. Hot springs in the region are also legendary for their curative effects. Rare animals such as golden monkey and red deer are well protected in natural reserve areas.

The culture relics discovered in 1977 and 1980 tell the long history of Chamdo Region. There were inhabitants living in the region 5,000 years ago. Under the unification campaign of King Songtsen Gampo, Chamdo Region became a part of Tubo Kingdom and has been called Kham for many years.

On October 19, 1950, the People Liberation Committee was set up in Chamdo Prefecture, which administrated 3 districts, i.e. the 13 zongs directly under the jurisdiction of the Chamdo Liberation Committee, the 10 zongs administrated by the 39-nationality and the 3 zongs and the brine pit area governed by the No.2 office in Bome district, and the 28 zongs in Zayul. In 1955, the Preparatory Committee of the Tibet Autonomous Region was established and it started to administrate Chamdo. The Commissioner Office of Chamdo Prefecture was set up in 1960.

Chamdo Region enjoys social stability, dynamic economic development, convenient transportation and tourist facilities and good telecommunications.

Area Code: 0895

Zip Code: 854000

Area: Chamdo Region covers about 108,600 sq km

Geography: Chamdo is located in eastern Tibet, tucked away in the famous Hengduan Mountains Range, which is known as the Eastern Tibet Valley mentioned in the Geography books.

The Chamdo Prefecture has an average altitude of over 3,500 meters, with a unique topography and wonderful landscapes. It is in the plateau continental climate zone. The terrain lowers down from northwest to southeast, and the valley deepens from north to south.

With complicated topographical structures, high mountains and dense forests, Chamdo is a paradise for a great amount of wild animals.

Population: Chamdo has a total population of 583,600, which accounts for 12% of the total population of Tibet Autonomous. Chamdo is a region mixes twenty-one ethnic groups including Tibetan, Han (Chinese), Hui, Zhuang, Naxi, Lhoba, Moinba and Bai.

Monks were one third of the population back in the time of the turn of the 20th century.

Administrative Division: Chamdo administrates 11 counties, 24 towns and 118 townships.

Climate: Due to the Hengduan Mountains Range in Chamdu Prefecture, the climate in this region is changeable. Some one can experience four seasons in only one month. Most of the area possess temperate, humid plateau climate，while the lower valley of the Three River Region (The Salween, the Mekong, and the Yangtze) possess temperate plateau dry climate because of the block of mountains.

With a complicated geomorphologic structure, different topographies, climate types and plant growing environments, the average annual sunshine is 2,100-2,700 hours, and the non-frost period ranges from 46 to 162 days.

Generally speaking, the weather condition is good, and the average yearly temperature is 7-10 cent degrees. The yearly rainfall of 460-650mm, more frequently in the south, mainly happens between May and September.