Bolo Township of Jomda County in Chamdo

Bolo Township is located in the southeastern part of Jomda County (江达县), Chamdo (昌都市), Tibet Autonomous Region (西藏自治区). It lies along the Jinsha River (金沙江), with Sichuan Province’s Baiyu County (白玉县) to the east, Gongjue County (贡觉县) to the south, and neighboring towns including Niangxi Township (娘西乡) and Tongpu Township (同普乡) to the west. To the north, it borders Yanbi Township (岩比乡). The township is 78 kilometers away from Jomda County’s capital.

Covering an area of 1,043.80 square kilometers, Bolo Township had a registered population of 7,607 as of 2019. It is well-known for its unique culture and natural beauty, especially its wood carving heritage and the Ji Rong Canyon Scenic Area (吉荣峡谷风景区).

Administrative Structure

Bolo Township has a long history of administrative changes:

  • In 1960, it was part of one of six districts in Jomda County.

  • By 1970, Bolo had established a Revolutionary Committee.

  • In 1978, this was replaced by the Bolo District Government.

  • In 1988, following a restructuring, it became one of the 18 townships of Jomda County.

As of June 2020, the township is divided into eight administrative villages:

  1. Guse Village (古色村)

  2. Waichong Village (外冲村)

  3. Reduo Village (热多村)

  4. Ningba Village (宁巴村)

  5. Chong Sang Village (冲桑村)

  6. Adang Village (阿当村)

  7. Epeng Village (俄彭村)

  8. Bogong Village (波公村)

Geography and Climate

Geographical Location

Bolo Township is situated on the banks of the Jinsha River. The township covers a vast area of mountainous terrain, with an elevation that contributes to its rich biodiversity. The climate here is classified as a high-altitude, temperate semi-humid monsoon climate, with average temperatures around 12°C. The highest temperature recorded is 36.6°C, while the lowest can drop to -10°C. The region enjoys a significant amount of rainfall, with an average of 400mm annually.

Natural Resources

Bolo Township is home to a diverse range of plant and animal species:

  • Flora: The area boasts many species of trees, including fir, pine, cypress, birch, and green ash. The forest coverage rate is 47.6%. There are also over 20 medicinal plants like Cordyceps (虫草), Fritillaria (贝母), and Rhubarb (大黄).

  • Fauna: The area is rich in wildlife, with species such as the musk deer (麝), wild boar (野猪), Tibetan wild donkey (藏马鸡), and the clouded leopard (云豹).

  • Land: Bolo Township has vast agricultural resources, with a cultivated land area of 10,455.6 acres and grassland covering 41,333 hectares.

Population and Economy

As of the end of 2019, Bolo Township had a registered population of 7,607, with the majority belonging to the Tibetan ethnic group. The economy in Bolo is primarily based on agriculture and livestock farming. The local residents also engage in seasonal activities such as collecting Cordyceps and working in neighboring regions. Additionally, wood carving, which is a traditional skill passed down through generations, plays a significant role in the local economy.

The township has a modest number of businesses, including general stores and supermarkets. In 2019, there were four comprehensive shops or supermarkets with areas larger than 50 square meters.

Transportation

Bolo Township is relatively accessible by road. By the end of 2011, seven of its villages were connected by public roads. However, some more remote areas may still be challenging to access.

Education and Healthcare

By the end of 2011, Bolo Township had a central school and a primary school in Sangwan (桑完), serving the educational needs of local children. There is also a health clinic providing basic healthcare services, with full participation in the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme.

Cultural and Historical Significance

Wood Carving Tradition

Bolo Township is famous for its long history of wood carving, especially in the context of Tibetan Buddhist texts. The wood carvers in Bolo have a long-standing tradition of producing high-quality wooden blocks for Buddhist scriptures. The local materials, such as birch wood, are particularly prized for carving scripture boards. The Bolo wood carving tradition continues to thrive, with over 150 skilled artisans.

In 1682, a wood carving artist from Waichong Village spent seven years carving over 100 volumes of the Danjur (丹珠尔) and 200 volumes of the Kanjur (甘珠尔), making it one of the most complete and refined sets of Buddhist texts of its time. Many of these works are now preserved in the famous Dege Printing Institute (德格印经院).

Scenic Attractions

Ji Rong Canyon Scenic Area (吉荣峡谷风景区)

Located within Bolo Township, the Ji Rong Canyon is a stunning natural landscape. The canyon is approximately 10 kilometers long, with towering cliffs on all sides. The area is known for its unique geological formations and the rare “Skyline” phenomenon, where the sky is only visible as a thin line from the canyon floor.

The canyon is home to diverse wildlife, including endangered species such as the tiger (虎), clouded leopard (云豹), and white-lipped deer (白唇鹿). The region is also rich in Tibetan Buddhist culture, with inscriptions of Buddhist scriptures carved into the canyon walls. According to local legends, the canyon is home to a hidden treasure cave and contains stories related to King Gesar (格萨尔王) and Princess Zhumu (珠姆王妃).