Location: located between 29 north altitude and 88 east longitude with an elevation of 3800 meters; at the confluence of Nyangchu and Yarlung Tsangbo River about 250 kilometers to the west of Lhasa

Neighboring areas: Qinghai province , Sichuan province , and Yunnan province; Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region

Population: 70,000

Nationalities: Han, Hui and Tibetan

History: a history of more than 5 centuries; formerly called Tsang and ever rivalled Lhasa

Climatic Features: moderate climate with plenty of sunshine; frost-free period of 160 days

Average Temperature: 6 C
Rainfall: average annual of 300 to 450 mm

Local Highlights: Various Tibetan festivities and Buddhist activities