Transport Hub Formed Gradually
Located between Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Tanggula Mountains, Nagqu, known as the roof of the roof of the world, is the largest land area in Tibet Autonomous Region with an area of 400,000 square km. and the population of 320,000, Its average elevation is over 4,500 meters above sea level. Before Tibet was liberated peacefully, there was not a highway in that area. Goods and materials were transported by beasts of burden. Thus the economy was developed very slowly, and the social development was isolated from the outside. Tibetan masses in Northern Tibet had suffered from the hardship of backward traffic from generation to generation. Qinghai-Tibet Highway, regarded by Tibetans as “the road to the sky” and “golden bridge,” was built to Nagqu in October of 1954, completely ending the history with no highway in Changtang grasslands. Since Qinghai-Tibet Highway was open to the traffic 48 years ago and through efforts made by the PLA troops and highway builders, highway is now available to 11 counties (districts) in Nagqu, and 141 government sites of towns. With the construction of the highway, the highway maintenance has emerged rapidly, realizing the semimechanization. Over the past 48 years, Nagqu has built 107 bridges of various sizes with the total length 2,885.3 meters. As for the transportation, the highway transport networks has been formed with the Qinghai-Tibet Highway, Amdo-Shiquanhe Highway and Nagqu-Qamdo Highway as the backbone, and Nagqu town as the centre, leading to every county (district), township, village. Nagqu has already grown into the important transportation hub of Tibet; it is also the only way for Qinghai-Tibet Highway and Sichuan-Tibet Highway. Nagqu town has consequently obtained favorable conditions for economic development with relevant industries developed. The post and telecommunications of Nagqu have been developed rapidly in recent years. Telephones have been programme-controlled between counties. The long-distance call enters the national direct-dial network and the mobile communication has already been opened. Today’s vast Changtang grassland is boosting of steady politics, economic development, prosperous market and national unity. The people there live and work in peace and contentment, manifesting the unprecedented vitality everywhere and demonstrating a prosperous scene. Animal husbandry is the key industry in Naggu. Its area of grassland, total number of livestock, output value of animal husbandry account for l/3 0f the whole autonomous region. Nagqu is vast in territory, abundant in natural resource, unique in humanity and thus it is a treasured place to be developed in Tibet and has very great potentiality for development. Before liberation, Nagqu lagged far behind with desolation and poverty. After the democratic reform, people of all ethnic groups in Nagqu has, under the unselfish supports from brother provinces and cities, united wholeheartedly and worked hard. Thus the feature of community at large has changed greatly. Take 1998 for n example, the amount of livestock on hand at the end of the year in the whole area was up t0 6,657,400, increased by 28 times compared with 2,418,800 in 1958. The seeded area reached 3,733 hectares and total output of grain was up t0 27,547,700 kg, 100 times the output of 225,000 kg in 1958. The agricultural and pasturing economy has been turned from close type to open type, from supplying type to the operation type. It has been brisk in the market and th commodity economy has been developed constantly. Hence, the farmers’ living standard has been improving continuously with per capita income of l,238.8 yuan. Nowadays there are some infant industries in Nagqu, such as mining, electric power, car service, food processing, pharmacy, etc. The national handicraft industry gets further development and some handicrafts products have won the title of quality products internally and externally. Carpets and Tibetan patent medicine have found ready markets both at home and abroad. Economic Overview of Nagqu The natural resources in Nagqu are very abundant mainly with livestock produce, mineral products, famous and precious traditional Chinese medicine, tourist resources, etc. Nagqu is the base of animal husbandry of Tibet. The output of animal husbandry and livestock produce account for more than l/3 0f the total amount in the whole region, especially the quality of cashmere and yak’s hair, coming out at the top in the whole country. At present the ores in Nagqu that have already verified are over 40 kinds, such as gold, silver, copper, antimony, lead, zinc, borax, petroleum, salt, etc. Meanwhile the ores are large in reserves, high in grade, and is easy for exploitation. The mineral products have already become the new growth point in the region. There are considerable reserves of natural gas and petroleum in Northern Tibet. The petroleum, once developed in scale, will undoubtedly produce enormous effect on the socio-economic development of Nagqu. The rare medicinal herbs in Nagqu such as Chinese caterpillar fungus, bulb of fritillary pilose antler, bear’s gallbladder, cinnabar, etc. are all wildlife resources, enjoying high reputation on the market at home and abroad. Tourist resources are represented by culture and arts in pastoral area of Changtang such as ethnic customs and religious culture, which are profound, colorful and attractive. The natural landscape in Nagqu is the ingenious work of nature with majestic views and unique charms. It is hard to assess the value of the tourist resources there. The water area of aquatic resources in Nagqu is up to more than 3,330,000 hectares. Rivers flow vertically and horizontally and the area of numerous lakes is up to over 10000 sq.km. There is great potential and bright future for the development and utilization of aquatic resources. There are more than 100 kinds of wild animals on the plateau of Northern Tibet, such as crane, musk deer, deer, Tibetan gazelle, Mongolian gazelle, wild ass, argali, snow cock, rough chicken and more than 10 kinds among them belong to one level, second level wild animals protected by the state, which are gifted and valuable resources for the scientific research, travel and hunting. The domestic animals on the plateau of Tibet mainly are Tibet sheep, goat and yak and there are a small amount of oxen, Tibet pig and donkey in some specific areas. Nagqu was only a small village during the democratic reform with total population less than 1000 people. There were only Shodain Monastery and some tumble-down tents. However with development, it has grown into a small city of 6.8 sq.km with 30,000 people. There arc abundant natural resources in Nagqu and there are 36 million hectares of pastureland, among them 25,330,000 hectares are available. On the northern plateau of Tibet, the grassland is wide and beautiful, and the mountains and rivers are steep and colorful. Geladaindong is towering into the blue sky. Nyainqentanglha is totally covered with white snow, and Shiyar and Dargo are incomparably graceful. The lakes just like the pearls dotted in the pasture and the criss-crossed rivers like colored ribbons floating elegantly under the blue sky. The Yangtze River –the mother river of Chinese nation comes from this stretch of land. In the winter of northern Tibet, the grassland is covered by ice and snow everywhere; In August, the grassland of Northern Tibet presents enchanting beauty to visitors, makes them completely carried away and forget to return. The humane view of the northern Tibet is unique with many scenic spots for exploration, travel, and visit. Sangding Kangsang, Nam Co Lake, Damro Yumco Lake, Dargo Mountain have been holy mountains and supernatural lakes in the minds of many people. Besides the mountain and lakes are curled-up smokes of incense and waving flags. The pious pilgrims come from all quarters to make a pilgrimage to the holy lakes and mountains. The “noman area” of Changtang in the west is vast in area and mysterious in exploration. The natural caves with stalactites and stalagmites in the east are very strange, deep and serene. The northern Tibet is the hometown of Gesar and so far the hero’s mythical legend still goes. In a word, numerous holy mountains and supernatural lakes, mysterious “no-man area”, captivating natural caves with stalactites and stalagmites, old mythical legends, simple local folk customs, horse races that have won fame both at home and abroad, have all contributed to charm and mystery of Changtang grassland.