Yushu Prefecture

Yushu is one of the seven prefectures in Qinghai Province located at the upper reach of Yantze River. 80% of the population of Yushu are Tibetan and mainly khampas. It has 6 six counties under the jurisdiction of Yushu.

Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is a major Tibetan town located 800km southwest of Xining in Qinghai Province. Yushu is the furthest and most remote place in Qinghai Province. There are 5 counties along with Yushu town / Jyekundo (Ji Gu Zhen). The 5 counties are Nangchen County, Zhaduo County, Zhiduo County, Qumalab (Qumalai) County and Chengduo County. Yushu is also the the only prefecture which dominated by Kham Tibetan in Qinghai. The population of Yushu Prefecture is 400.000 and ethnic Tibetan takes 80% of total population.

Yushu or Jyekundo (Tibetan) town is not only the seat of the Yushu government but also the culture, economic and politic center of Yushu Prefecture. It lies along
the tributary of the Drichu (Tongtian He), which contribute to upper reach of mighty Yangtse River (Changjiang). There are many attractions and highlights in Yushu town. The Top three are Gyanak Mani Stone, Mani stones feature carved and painted Tibetan Buddhist mantras on the stones and piled up. It is the largest mani stone piles in entire Tibet, therefore it earned Guinness World Records. The second top attraction is Jiegu Monastery (Jie Gu Si) which is located behind the town up on the hill. Jyegu Monastery is the largest monastery in Yushu Prefecture. The 3^rd top attraction is Princes Wencheng Temple or Nambanangdze Temple (Tibetan).

Nangchen County lies southeast of Yushu with altitude 3660m / 12000ft, a relative low land compare to the rest of the counties in Yushu. Nangchen attracts tourists with its advantage of having many stunning landscapes and monasteries including Great Canyons, Danak Monastery and Gesar heritage site, Gar Monastery, Tsechu Monastery, Gadan Monastery.etc.

Zaduo County is the area around the source of Dzachu tributary of the Mekong River. Far upstream from Nangchen. Zaduo county lies at 4060m/ 13320ft above sea level on the bank of Dzachu River. Though there are not many reknown attractions but there are about 20 small monasteries scattering in this county and most of them are very remote
and authentic. The other highlight that attracts outsiders are the wildlife. Dzado / Zaduo is inside the Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve and home to many plateau wildlife including wild yaks, wild donkey, wolf, fox, brown bear .etc. In recent years, local nomads saw snow leopard in the rocky mountains in Zaduo. Snow Leopard is one of the endangered species in Tibet.

Zhiduo County is the area around the southern source of the Yangtse River. The seat of Zhiduo is located 194km northwest of Yushu town. There are several monasteries in the town. Similar to Zaduo, Zhiduo is also part of Sanjiangyuan Nature Reserve, therefore, you will see many wild animals in this county as well.

Qumalab County (Qumalai Xian) is located 270km towards north from Yushu. This is the highest county in Yushu without altitude 4220m/13845ft. Qumalab is bordering with Tibetan
Autonomous Region in the northwest and Golmud in the northeast. There are several Nyingmapa and Gelukpa monasteries within the county including Khorama Gompa, Kyabdung Gonpa .etc.

Chengduo County (Chengduo Xian) is located at an elevation of 3820m/12530ft. It is referred to the area around the southern source of Yangtze River. It is a
county located southwest of Qinghai Province , China, bordering the autonomous regions of Tibet to the west and Xinjiang to the northwest.