Nyingchi Overview
Located in the southeast of Tibet, Nyingchi means the throne of sun in Tibetan language. Bordering Burma to the south, Nyingchi is also famed as the "East Switzerland" and "Jiangnan of Tibet"(Jiangnan in Chinese means the fertile and prosperous area in the south of the Yangtze). The deepest canyon in the world, Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon, lies here.
‣ Where is Nyingchi
About 400 kilometers east of Lhasa, Nyingchi connects Yunnan Province to the east and Qamdo to the northeast, adjoins Lhasa and Lhokha to the west and southwest and borders Burma to the south. The center of Nyingchi, Bayi Street, is located in the elevation of 3,000 meters.
‣ Basic Information of Nyingchi
● Chinese Name: 林芝
● Population: 231,000(2016)
● Area: 117,000 square kilometers
● Zip code: 860000
● Dialing code: (+86) 0894
‣ Nyingchi Climate
The Mount Himalayas and Nyenchen Tanglha extend from the west to the east and open a large gap to the Indian Ocean, resulting that the warm current from Indian Ocean and cold current from the north meet in the east of Nyenchen Tanglha Mountain. That’s why various climates coexist in Nyingchi area, tropical, subtropical, temperate and frigid zones included. The annual average temperature of Nyingchi is 8.7℃ and the annual precipitation is about 650 mm.
‣ Nyingchi Attractions
In Nyingchi, tourists can appreciate all natural landscapes except for desert and ocean.
● Plum Blossom: The plum blossom dotted with Tibetan residences and towering snowy peak in a distance makes Nyingchi a dreamlike land.
● Namjagbarwa Mountain: It is not easy for tourists to appreciate the ture features of Namjagbarwa Mountain, which is a mist-shrouded triangle peak at the altitude of 7782 meters. If you do, you are lucky.
● Medog County: the only county in China without a single road. It is the lowest and warmest place in Tibet and also the perfect hiking destination integrated with collapse, debris flow, leech, poisonous insects, high mountain, canyon and rainforest.
● Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon: The downstream of Yarlung Tsangpo River makes a sharp turn around Namjagbarwa Mountain and flows to the south in Nyingchi, hence the precipitous canyon.
‣ Nyingchi Minority Culture
Besides Tibetan ethnic minority, there are people of Moinba, Lhoba, Nu, Dulong, Lisu, Naxi and Bai nationality living here. Of the total population of 2.31 million, Tibetan people occupy 1.22 million, Moinba people occupy 7,800 and Lhoba people occupy 2,800.
‣ What to Eat in Nyingchi
Because of its remote location, the vegetables and grain are transported from the outside, leading to the higher price in Nyingchi. The cuisine in Nyingchi is not only the tradition inheritance of Tibetan cuisine, such as air-dried beef, highland barley wine and buttered tea, but also mixed with some specialities of ethnic minorities. What's more, Sichuan cuisine is also common to be seem in Nyingchi.
‣ Nyingchi Transportation
Tourist can travel to Lhasa by air or train firstly and then transfer to Nyingchi by long-distance bus, which is the major choice. And Nyingchi Mainling Airport operates the flights to Lhasa, Chengdu and Chongqing but the prices are a little bit expensive.
‣ Nyingchi Travel Tips
● Best Time to Visit
The period between March to October is the best time to visit Nyingchi. From March to April, plum blossom all over the mountains and plains makes Nyingchi a fairyland. From May to June, tourists can appreciate the beautiful rhododendra. Nyingchi turns to be green world from July to August and golden yellow during September to October.
