Gamtog Town of Jomda County in Chamdo

Gangtuo Town (岗托镇) is located in the eastern part of Jomda County (江达县), Chamdo Prefecture (昌都市), Tibet Autonomous Region, China. It is one of the key towns supported by the local government. Gangtuo is situated along the northern route of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway (National Road 317), making it the first town to enter Tibet from Sichuan. The town is bordered to the east by the Jinsha River (金沙江), which separates it from Dege County (德格县) in Sichuan. The township government is located 83 kilometers from Jomda County’s city center. Gangtuo covers an area of 32.49 square kilometers. As of the end of 2019, the population of Gangtuo Town was 4,098.

History

• Pre-1959: Gangtuo was under the jurisdiction of the Dege Chieftain (德格土司) and the local government of the Tibetan Gashar (噶厦) administration.

• Post-1959: After the peaceful liberation of Tibet, Gangtuo became part of Tibet Autonomous Region under the jurisdiction of the regional government, while the eastern bank of the Jinsha River was administered by Sichuan.

• 1988: Gangtuo Township was established following the division of administrative regions.

• 2001: The township was upgraded to Gangtuo Town.

As of June 2020, Gangtuo Town governs five administrative villages.

Geography and Environment

Location

Gangtuo Town lies in the eastern part of Jomda County, at the intersection of Sichuan and Tibet. It is strategically located on the northern route of the Sichuan-Tibet Highway (National Road 317), making it the first town to enter Tibet from Sichuan. The town is separated from Dege County (德格县) in Sichuan by the Jinsha River (金沙江), and its area spans 32.49 square kilometers.

Terrain and Elevation

Gangtuo Town is located along the Jinsha River, where the terrain is relatively flat. Over 80% of the population resides along the river’s western bank. The town’s landscape is characterized by a typical high-mountain canyon terrain, with vast valleys and rugged terrain surrounding the town.

Climate

Gangtuo Town experiences a plateau temperate semi-humid monsoon climate. The region has mild temperatures, abundant rainfall, and plenty of sunshine. The annual average temperature is 8.5°C, with the coldest month (January) averaging -2°C, and the warmest month (July) averaging 20°C. The town enjoys a long frost-free period and a moderate climate with sufficient rainfall, particularly from May to September, which accounts for 90% of the total annual precipitation.

Key climate features:

• Annual Average Temperature: 8.5°C

• Coldest Month: January (-2°C)

• Warmest Month: July (20°C)

• Annual Precipitation: 651 mm

• Sunshine Hours: 2,022 hours annually

Natural Resources

Gangtuo Town is rich in natural resources, with identified deposits of aluminum, zinc, and copper. The region is also home to a variety of wild animals, including black bears, brown bears, and roe deer. The forest cover in Gangtuo is about 55.26%. The town’s wild flora includes valuable species like matsutake mushrooms (松茸), caterpillar fungus (虫草), and wild ginseng (手掌参).

Population and Demographics

As of the end of 2019, the registered population of Gangtuo Town was 4,108, with Tibetans comprising over 99% of the population. The town has witnessed steady population growth, with the permanent population reaching 3,937 in 2017.

Economy

Overview

Gangtuo Town’s economy is based on agriculture and animal husbandry, with a mix of farming and livestock activities. In 2011, the total economic income of Gangtuo was 44.26 million yuan, with an average per capita income of 4,087.35 yuan.

Agriculture

Gangtuo is primarily an agricultural area, with 5,657 acres of farmland. The main crops grown are barley (青稞), wheat, oilseed rape, buckwheat, and various vegetables. The region also has 146,000 acres of grasslands, including 50,000 acres of high-quality pasture.

Animal Husbandry

Animal husbandry plays a vital role in the local economy. The primary livestock raised in Gangtuo include yaks, sheep, horses, and Tibetan pigs. By the end of 2011, the township had 14,126 livestock, and meat production reached 100 tons that year.

Infrastructure and Social Services

Education

By the end of 2011, Gangtuo Town had a central school, one primary school in Aila Village (矮拉村), and four additional teaching points. There were 445 primary school students in total, with 212 students attending the central school, 139 students at Aila Primary School, and 94 students across the four teaching points.

Healthcare

Gangtuo Town has two health clinics with four doctors and a total of 10 beds. However, the medical equipment was outdated, and there were no health clinics in the five villages. As of the end of 2011, 91% of residents participated in the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme.

Social Security

Gangtuo has a rural minimum living guarantee program, covering 207 people by the end of 2011. The township also completed the construction of 349 new homes under its housing program, benefiting 2,430 residents.

Postal and Telecommunications

By the end of 2011, Gangtuo Town had expanded telephone access to three villages, and mobile network coverage was available in all villages. The number of farmers and herders using mobile phones reached 1,005.

Transportation

National Road 317 runs through the center of Gangtuo Town, connecting it to surrounding regions. By the end of 2011, all villages in Gangtuo had road access, and the road infrastructure reached 100% completion.

Cultural and Historical Significance

Scenic Attractions

Gangtuo Town is home to several notable attractions, including:

• Minsu First Bridge (民俗第一桥)

• Langza Temple (郎扎寺)

• Leixin Stone at Langza Temple (郎扎寺雷心石)

• Shengci Langza Sacred Mountain (生次郎扎神山)

• Jiangxi Yanglin (江西阳林)

• First Bridge to Tibet (进藏第一桥)

• Eighteenth Army Ferry Crossing (十八军渡口)

• Gucheng Ancient Castle (孤丘古堡)

• Aiqu Canyon (矮曲峡谷)

Recognition and Honors

• February 2022: Gangtuo was selected as one of the “Ecological Civilization Demonstration Towns” by the Tibet Autonomous Region.

• November 2022: Gangtuo was included in the second batch of key rural tourism towns in China, recognized by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism.