An Important Pass in Northern Tibet

In Tibetan, Nagqu means Black River. Nagqu (Nagchu, Naqu, Nakchu) lies in the northern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region at longitude 84°55'E and latitude 29°55'-36°30'N. It is embraced by the Tanggula, Nyainqentanglha and kangdese Mountains, and the snow-capped Dargo Mountain in the west and the Burgyi Mountain in the east, guarding this fabled land like two ferocious lions.

Covering an area of some 400,000 square kilometers, Nagqu is generally referred to as Changtang. The area is high in the west at an elevation of over 4,500 meters and is low in the east. The vast region of the central west is basically flat but dotted with hills and numerous lakes, and is crisscrossed by rivers. There are high mountains surrounding the river valleys in the east, which is the farming region of northern Tibet. This area lies at an elevation of 3,500 to 4,500 meters and also has forest resources and bush pasture. The climate is more temperate than that in the central west.

Nagqu falls within the sub-freezing zone and experiences extreme cold, a scarcity of oxygen, dry air and storms. There are no absolutely frost-free periods. From November to March the air is dry, the temperature is low and the area is exposed to violent sandstorms. From May to September, Nagqu is warm and enjoys good weather. The annual growing season lasts for 100 days, and during this period the area receives 80 percent of its annual precipitation. At this time the grasslands are emerald and grazed by flocks of sheep.

Nagqu had a population of 330,286, including 326,920 Tibetans (98.98 percent). There are 10 counties in Nagqu, including Nagqu, Amdo, Nyainrong, Biru, Jiali, Baqen, Sog, Pangkog, Xainza and Nyima. Nagqu Town is a political, economic, cultural and trading center as well as a transport hub of the Tibet Autonomous Region. It is also the collection and reshipment center for the region's animal products, mineral ores, and agricultural and forestry products. Bisected by the Xining-Lhasa, Nagqu-Qamdo and Amdo-Shiquanhe Highways, Nagqu Town is an important  transport hub for northern Tibetan contacts with other parts of the region and other parts of China.