Xigaze covers an area of 182,000 square km. Extending 800 km east-west and 200 km south-north, it has a 1,573 km border with Nepal, Bhutan and Sikkim to the south. Shannan lies to the east, Ngari in the west and Nagqu in the north.

Historically, Xigaze has always been an important administrative region. During the period of the Tubo Kingdom, central Tibet was divided into U and Tsang. Tsang was centered on Xigaze and was further divided into Yuru in the present-day Nyang Qu River area and Rulha along the upper reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River. As Tsang lay on the upper reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, it was referred to often as “Tear Tibet”

In the early 20th century, the Gaxag government of Tibet promoted Xigaze to be a Gyizong, equal to a prefecture today, under which were 16 zongs (counties) and some 30 independent Shikas (manors).

Following the peaceful liberation of Tibet, Xigaze and Gyangze became Branch Work Committees. In 1959, the Xigaze Administrative Office was set up. In 1964, the Xigaze and Gyangze administrative offices merged into the Xigaze Administrative Office, being renamed as the Xigaze Prefectural Administrative Office in 1978.

Today, the Xigaze Prefectural Administrative Office has 17 counties, 203 townships, 1,759 villages (neighborhood committees), two first-class State land ports (Nylam and Gyilung) and one second-class State land port (Rewo) under its jurisdiction. Tibetans account for 99.2 percent of the total population of 642,300, with the rest being from the Han, Hui, Sherpa and other ethnic groups.

With a history of some 600 years, Xigaze is the political, economic and cultural center of the whole prefecture. Lying at an average elevation of 3,850 meters, it had a population of 10,000 in 1951. Today, however, this has shot up to some 40,000, becoming the second largest city of Tibet.

Richly Endowed With Resources

Geographically speaking, Xigaze lies in the middle part of the Himalayas and the middle part of the Gangdese-Nyainqentanglha, with an average elevation of more than 4,000 meters.

Fertile land and a pleasant climate, plus ample water supply combine to make Xigaze a leading grain production zone.

There are some 100 rivers, such as the Yarlung Zangbo River, which originates in the Gyima Yangzoin Glacier in Zongba County. In addition, there are more than 40 lakes, including Taru Lake with an area of 520 square km, Paiku Lake (300 sq.km), Zhabuyechaka Lake (235 sq.km.) and Xuruco Lake (208 sq.km.).

Xigaze is rich in natural resources, including more than 200 kinds of mineral ores that have yet to be exploited. Water resources have a hydroelectric energy reserve amounting to 10 million kW.

Xigaze is also rich in solar energy resources. All the 120 townships in the area have set up solar energy power stations.

In addition, Xigaze has 94 geothermal hot springs. Locally produced Qoidain Nyima Mineral Ore Water is widely regarded as holy water.

Wildlife in the Qomolangma Nature Reserve in the Xigaze area includes black-necked cranes, wild yaks, and Tibetan antelopes. Seventy-one species of animals are subject to special protection at the State or regional level.

The area is also home to some 300 kinds of medicinal herbs including dangsheng (Codonopsis piloshula), Chinese caterpillar fungus (Cordyceps sinensis) and Rhodiola.

The area is richly endowed with tourism resources, including the majestic Qomolangma, the source of the Yarlung Zangbo River, and pristine forests at Garmagou, Zham, Yadong and Gyilung, as well as Sagya Monastery (known as one of the three art treasure houses in Tibet), Palkor Monastery and Parlha Manor, symbolic of feudal serfdom. Visitors are entertained with singing and dancing, and Tibetan opera performances.

Xigaze ranks first in Tibet in terms of grain and oil-bearing crops production, and takes second place in terms of the number of livestock (5.5 million head).

Xigaze boasts dozens of goods that sell well throughout Tibet, including fish from Yadong, yaks from Pali, sheep from Gangba, garlic from Gyangze, buckwheat from Xigaze, sweet potatoes from Aimagang, and rape seeds.

Xigaze has easy access to transport facilities. It is bisected by the China-Nepal Highway; and it is connected with other parts of Tibet through the Xigaze-Gyangze, Lhasa-Yadong, Lhasa-Burang and other trunk highways with a total mileage of 9,119.74 km.

All counties in the area have installed program telephones.

A beautiful Xigaze is full of vigor and vitality today.