Kamaduo Town of Riwoqê County in Chamdo

Kamaduo Town (卡玛多乡) is located in the southern part of Riwoqê County (类乌齐县), within the Chamdo (昌都市) region of Tibet Autonomous Region (西藏自治区). It borders Sanduo Town (桑多镇) to the east, connects with Luolong County (洛隆县) to the southwest, and shares boundaries with Bawu County (八宿县) and Luolong County to the southeast. To the west, it is bordered by Dingqing County (丁青县), and to the north, it adjoins Changmaoling Township (长毛岭乡). Kamaduo is located 22 kilometers from the county seat, covering an area of 959.58 square kilometers. As of the end of 2019, the registered population of Kamaduo Town was 6,046 people.

Kamaduo was established in 1963 as Basha District (巴夏区), which was later reorganized into Kamaduo Township in 1987 after the merging of several areas. As of June 2020, Kamaduo Town governs 9 administrative villages.

Historical Development

1963: Basha District was formed by dividing Changmaoling District into Basha and Xie Ma Townships.
1987: Following the merger of administrative districts, Kamaduo was established as a township.

Administrative Divisions

As of June 2020, Kamaduo Town is composed of 9 administrative villages:

Jiqing Village (吉青村)
Jinglin Village (井林村)
Guolong Village (郭龙村)
Gaji Village (嘎吉村)
Xie Ma Village (协玛村)
Lalong Village (拉龙村)
Kamaduo Village (卡玛多村)
Bangga Village (帮嘎村)
Zhelong Village (哲龙村)

These villages are home to 32 natural villages.

Geographic Environment

Location and Terrain

Kamaduo Town is situated in the western part of the eastern Tibetan region, with an average elevation of 4,200 meters. The town is characterized by mountainous terrain, with the East Ri River (格曲河) flowing through the area. The region is known for its steep and rugged terrain, typical of high-altitude mountain regions.

Climate

Kamaduo experiences distinct wet and dry seasons, with ample sunlight throughout the year. The area’s high-altitude climate supports a semi-arid environment, ideal for pastoralism and agriculture.

Natural Resources

Kamaduo is rich in natural resources. The area has been identified with significant underground mineral deposits, including magnesite (菱镁), iron (铁), and others. Notably, Kamaduo holds the largest magnesite reserves in Tibet.

Wildlife in the area includes precious and protected species such as roe deer (獐子), wolves (狼), foxes (狐狸), squirrels (松鼠), snow leopards (雪豹), bears (马熊), Tibetan pheasants (马鸡), elk (马鹿), and Argali sheep (盘羊). The forested areas also provide valuable medicinal herbs, including caterpillar fungus (虫草), fritillaria (贝母), porcini mushrooms (獐子菌), morel mushrooms (羊肚菌), rhodiola (红景天), snow lotus (雪莲花), and others.

Population and Economy

Population

2011: Kamaduo had a population of 5,006 people, with a predominance of Tibetan (藏族) residents.
2017: The permanent resident population increased to 5,915.
2019: The registered population reached 6,046.

Economic Overview

In 2011, the per capita income for farmers and herders in Kamaduo was 4,350 yuan, with 3,040 yuan of that as cash income. By 2019, Kamaduo had 5 comprehensive stores or supermarkets with a retail area of over 50 square meters.

Agriculture and Livestock

Kamaduo is primarily a pastoral town. In 2011, the town had 1,883.7 acres of arable land, with a total grain production of 235.07 tons. The region also managed 559,200 acres of pastureland. Livestock farming is the primary industry, with 28,576 animals at the end of the year, including yaks (牦牛), sheep (绵羊), and horses (马). In 2011, the town produced a regional GDP of 25.003 million yuan and saw labor export of 1,702 people, generating labor income of 2.5 million yuan.

Social Development

Education

By the end of 2011, Kamaduo had one central primary school with 494 students (332 of whom were from the central school) and 26 teachers. The town also had 3 teaching points: Enda (恩达教学点), Dala (达拉教学点), and Dangjue (当觉教学点), with 84 students. The school enrollment rate for children of school age reached over 95%.

Healthcare

Kamaduo had one township-level health clinic by the end of 2011, staffed with 2 doctors. The rural cooperative medical insurance program was fully implemented, ensuring 100% participation among local residents.

Social Welfare

By the end of 2011, Kamaduo had provided minimum living security to 125 households, totaling 360 people, including 35 orphaned children and elderly individuals.

Transportation

By the end of 2011, Kamaduo had successfully established road access to all its villages, although the quality of village roads was relatively poor. National Highway 317 (317国道) runs through the town, passing through 3 villages over a stretch of 56 kilometers. However, 80% of roads in the natural villages remained in poor condition, and 82% of villages still required various bridges for access.

Scenic Attractions

Temples and Cultural Heritage

Kamaduo is home to five ancient temples built between the 17th and 18th centuries. These temples are an integral part of the region’s rich cultural heritage. The most famous of these is the 1,300-year-old “Quyama” Pagoda Forest (曲雅玛塔林), which originally contained 144 white stupas, of which 88 remain. These pagodas are known for their unique and varied designs, attracting many visitors interested in Tibetan Buddhist architecture. Another notable site is Gaji Temple’s “Sangduoba” (嗓多坝), which boasts a history of over 600 years. This temple is one of only two “Sangduoba” structures in the entire region, renowned for its architectural style.

Kamaduo’s mix of rich history, cultural heritage, and stunning natural beauty makes it a captivating destination for visitors seeking to explore the Tibetan plateau’s deep-rooted traditions and majestic landscapes.