Nyingchi

Nyingchi also known as Linzhi is a prefecture-level city in southeast of the Tibet Autonomous Region. The administrative seat of Nyingchi is Bayi District. The Chinese claim part of Arunachal Pradesh, which is one of the states of India, as part of the prefecture. Nyingchi is one of the important cradles of ancient Tibetan civilization having been settled as early as four or five thousand years ago. It was under domination of the Tupo Kingdom for two hundred years (7th century to the 9th century). Since its liberation in 1951, it has moved away from its long past as a feudal society. Nyingchi is noted for its verdant mountainous terrain and clear waterways. The Himalayan and Tangula mountains wend their way from west to east to join the Hengduan Mountains. Because of the large number of river valleys and alpine gorges, the region is sometimes referred to as the 'Switzerland of Tibet'.

Yarlung Tsangpo River cuts through the Himalayas making a unique u-turn round Mt. Namcha Barwa before reaching Medog County and the famous Yarlung Tsangpo Canyon. Zayu is a fertile place at the convergence of the Himalayas and Hengduan Mountains. It is crisscrossed by rivers and the weather is moderate throughout the year. Zayu is like a southern China water town reminiscent of a picturesque painting on the Tibetan Plateau. Rice, vegetables and fruits grow on its terraces and plains.