Molo Town of Gonjo County in Chamdo

Molo Town (莫洛镇) is located in the central part of Gonjo County (贡觉县), Chamdo (昌都市), Tibet Autonomous Region. It borders Zeba Township (则巴乡) to the east, Xiongsong Township (哈加乡) to the south, Kuda Township (扩达乡) in Chaya County (察雅县) to the west, and Xiangpi Township (相皮乡) to the north.

Key Information

  • Location: Central part of Gonjo County

  • Area: 841.91 km²

  • Population: 13,619 people (as of the end of 2019)

  • Postal Code: 854220

  • Area Code: 0895

  • Climate: Plateau monsoon climate

  • License Plate Code: Zang B (藏B)

Administrative History

  • 1959: Molo was designated as a district, with Molo Village (莫洛村) as the administrative center, also known as Area One.

  • 1962: Officially named “Molo District.”

  • 1972: Molo established a commune revolutionary committee.

  • 1978: Molo District Revolutionary Committee was restructured into the Molo District Public Office.

  • 1981: The Molo Commune Revolutionary Committee was restructured into the Molo Commune Management Committee.

  • 1984: The commune system was separated from administration, and Molo Township was established.

  • 2000: Molo Township was renamed Molo Town.

As of 2020, Molo Town is divided into 2 communities and 29 administrative villages, with the town government located in Aka Village (阿卡村).

Administrative Divisions

Molo Town is divided into the following administrative areas:

Communities:

  1. Dengka Community (登卡社区)

  2. Zaxi Community (扎西社区)

Villages:

  1. Ruoguo Village (若果村)

  2. Dalong Village (达龙村)

  3. Duoji Village (多吉村)

  4. Qusong Village (曲松村)

  5. Larong Village (拉荣村)

  6. Milai Village (米来村)

  7. Kato Village (卡托村)

  8. Aiyu Village (爱玉村)

  9. Zhangzhong Village (丈中村)

  10. Gendang Village (根当村)

  11. Bangcuo Village (帮措村)

  12. Aguo Village (阿果村)

  13. Chaxiongpu Village (查雄普村)

  14. Xiari Village (夏日村)

  15. Linton Village (林通村)

  16. Dongtuo Village (洞托村)

  17. Kuda Village (苦达村)

  18. Laimima Village (来日玛村)

  19. Chatuo Village (插托村)

  20. Juelong Village (觉龙村)

  21. Demei Village (德麦村)

  22. Guopu Village (果普村)

  23. Molo Village (莫洛村)

  24. Gongzhong Village (贡中村)

  25. Zerenben Village (泽仁本村)

  26. Aka Village (阿卡村)

  27. Odi Village (俄底村)

  28. Seran Village (色然村)

  29. Lama Village (拉玛村)

Geography and Natural Resources

  • Elevation: Molo Town is situated at an average altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level.

  • Natural Resources: The area is rich in mineral resources, including silver, copper, lead, and zinc, with large reserves and promising potential for exploitation. The forest resources are also abundant, with more than 100,000 cubic meters of original forest timber stock.

Climate

Molo Town experiences a plateau monsoon climate, characterized by the following conditions:

  • Annual Precipitation: 480 mm

  • Average Temperature: 6.3°C

  • Frost-Free Period: 80 days

  • Maximum Permafrost Depth: 800 mm

  • Annual Sunshine Hours: 2,100 hours

Population and Economy

Population Growth

  • 2011: 9,349 people

  • 2017: 9,961 people

  • 2019: 13,619 people

Economic Overview

In 2011, the total Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of Molo Town was 94.68 million yuan. By 2019, there were 7 comprehensive stores or supermarkets with an area of more than 50 square meters.

Agriculture

Molo Town has an agricultural land area of 17,700 acres, with 17,300 acres dedicated to crop cultivation. The main crops include barley (青稞), wheat (小麦), and oilseeds, with 13,800 acres devoted to grain production, yielding 633 tons. The town also cultivates economic crops on 3,500 acres, which accounts for 20% of the total planting area. Vegetables are grown on 538 acres.

Livestock Farming

The livestock industry in Molo is centered around yak (牦牛) and Tibetan sheep (藏东绵羊). In 2011, the township had a total of 57,360 livestock at the beginning of the year, with 76,480 at the end of the year. During the year, 19,507 new livestock were born, with a survival rate of 98.02%. The total livestock growth rate reached 25%, and 18,596 livestock were sold, including 7,490 large animals and 1,106 small animals. The total meat production was 156.96 tons, and the milk production was 16.5 tons.

Social Development

Education

In 2011, Molo Town had 12 primary and secondary schools. The primary school enrollment rate for children was over 92%, and the town achieved a 100% participation rate in the new rural cooperative medical program.

Healthcare

  • 2011: Molo Town had a vaccination rate of over 92% for children of appropriate age. The new rural cooperative medical program had a 100% participation rate.

Social Security

  • 2011: 30 people were employed through labor transfer programs, and 4,256 people aged 16-59 were covered by the new rural pension insurance. The participation rate for the elderly over 60 years old reached 73%.

Infrastructure and Transportation

By the end of 2011, 31 village and community committees in Molo Town had been connected by roads, providing accessible transportation for residents.

Cultural and Scenic Attractions

Molo Town is home to several Tibetan Buddhist monasteries belonging to the Nyingma Sect (宁玛派). These include:

  1. Jiaran Monastery (加然寺) in Gendang Village (根当村)

  2. Chari Monastery (查日寺) in Chatuo Village (插托村)

  3. Lepu Monastery (乐普寺) in Qusong Village (曲松村)

  4. Longpu Monastery (龙普寺) in Gongzhong Village (贡中村)

  5. Xibo Monastery (西泊寺) in Kuda Village (苦达村)

  6. Genga Monastery (根嘎寺) in Aka Pasture (阿卡牧场)

  7. Daden Monastery (达登寺) in Lama Pasture (拉玛牧场)

  8. Sulon Monastery (素龙寺) in Bangcuo Village (帮措村)

  9. Yang Monastery (羊寺) in Gendang Village (根当村)

  10. Lequ Monastery (乐曲寺) in Juelong Village (觉龙村)

These monasteries are vital cultural and religious centers for the local Tibetan population and attract visitors interested in Tibetan Buddhism and culture.