Xiahe County (; , ) is a county in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu province, China, bordering Qinghai province to the west. The name (both Chinese and Tibetan), which literally means "Xia River", refers to the Daxia River which runs through the county. It is home to the famed Labrang Tibetan Buddhist monastery, one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries outside the Tibet Autonomous Region. The town is populated largely by ethnic Tibetans, as well as some Hui and Han Chinese. The area is highly rural and pastoral (including yak and other animal rearing). The geography is mountainous. Over the past decades it has become a tourist attraction. The county was named Xiahe in 1928, after the Daxia River that flows through its territory.
History Xiahe (Sangqu) used to be part of Qinghai when it was under the control of Chinese Muslim General Ma Qi. It was the site of bloody battles between Muslim and Tibetan forces.
In 1980, Xiahe mandible, a hominin fossil jaw, was discovered in Baishiya Karst Cave, Xiahe County.
Location Xiahe (Sangqu) is found in the southern portion of Gansu province, along the western border with Qinghai province. It lies along the Daxia and Zhao rivers. It is on the northeast edge of the Tibetan Plateau. The average elevation is with the highest being and the lowest .
Climate Xiahe County has an alpine subarctic climate (Köppen Dwc) that grades into an alpine climate (ETH) at the highest elevations. The climate is characterised by mild, rainy summers and frigid, but dry and sunny, winters.
Administrative divisions Xiahe County is divided to 8 towns and 5 townships.
Name Simplified Chinese Hanyu Pinyin Tibetan Wylie Administrative division codeTowns Labrang Town(Lazhang, Labuleng) 623027100 Panggurtang Town(Wangge'ertang) 623027101 Amqog Town(Amuquhu) 623027102 Sangkog Town(Sangke) 623027103 Gain'gya Town(Ganjia) 623027104 Martang Town(Madang) 623027105 Bora Town(Bola) 623027106 Kocê Town(Kecai) 623027107Townships Damê Township(Damai) 623027202 Qu'ngoin Township(Qu'ao) 623027204 Tanggarnang Township(Tangga'ang) 623027205 Jayü Township(Zhayou) 623027206 Gyicang Township(Jicang) 623027208
References
External links
People's Government of Xiahe Official Website Chinese version People's Government of Xiahe Official Website English version Journey through China - A site with numerous pictures of Xiahe. The Nomadic Spirit – Picture Gallery of Xiahe