Three Rivers Basin in Eastern Tibet

Brief Introduction of Three Rivers Basin in Eastern Tibet

Three Rivers Basin refers to the large drainage area of three famous rivers in Asia - the Jinsha River, Lantsang River and Nu River in eastern Tibet. Both Lantsang River and Nu River originate from the Tanggula Mountains located at the central region of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Flow to the east from the northwest, the Lantsang River stretches to the Yushu Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province while the Nu River stretches to the Nagqu Prefecture and Qamdo Prefecture. These two rivers finally flow out of China through Yunnan Province and Sichuan Province. Lantsang River is called Meikong River while the Nu River is noted as Salween River in foreign countries.

The Three Rivers are mainly located in Qamdo Prefecture and the Three Rivers Basin also refers to Qamdo Prefecture Area. The Three Rivers Basin in Qamdo Prefecture covers an area of nearly 0.11 million square kilometers, which takes about 9 percent of the total land area of Tibet. The population density here greatly surpasses the average population density of Tibet Autonomous Region. It is reported that there are about 4.9 people in one square kilometer in Qamdo while there is only about 3 people in one square kilometer in Tibet averagely.

Three Rivers Basin in Eastern Tibet – Important Geographical Location

The Three Rivers Basin Area enjoys a pretty special geographical location. Qamdo is noted as the Eastern Gateway of Tibet for it is one of the main stops for tourists and businessmen visiting Tibet through the Sichuan-Tibet Highway or Yunnan-Tibet Highway. The topography in Qamso Prefecture is mainly characterized by high mountains and deep valleys. Qamdo Prefecture is of rich water resources and the quantity of water resources here ranks second in Tibet. The three rivers provide advantaged natural condition for the irrigation works and water conservancy projects in Qamdo Prefecture.

The Tibetans inhabit in the Three Rivers Basin Area are noted as Khampa people. Qamdo is quite far away from Lhasa, Shigatse and some other regions in Tibet due to the limited transportation. But it has been an important gateway of Tibet for it borders on Sichuan Province, Yunnan Province and Qinghai Province. Qamdo plays important role in the cultural and economical change between Tibet and eastern China since ancient times.

Three Rivers Basin in Eastern Tibet – Travel Information

Be far away from the other regions in Tibet, Tibetans living in Qamdo Prefecture have their own distinctive folk customs. Tourists making a Tibet tour to Qamdo would find that the Tibetans in Qamdo have a quite different dressing culture. The Chambaling Monastery in Qamdo Prefecture attracts a large number of tourists with its profound Tibetan Buddhism culture and grand religious ceremonies. The Ranwu Lake and Laigu Glacier with breathtaking natural landscapes also attract a large quantity of tourists.

Tourists planning to visit the Three Rivers Basin Area in Tibet don't need to be over worried about the transportation. The Sichuan-Tibet Highway stretches through the Qamdo Prefecture from the east to the west and most of the self-driving tourists visiting Tibet through the Sichuan-Tibet Highway would take a stop at Qamdo so as to experience the local folk custom. Besides, the Bangda Airport in Qamdo has also been put into operation. The flight between Qamdo and Lhasa has been opened.