Mindo Township of Gonjo County in Chamdo

Mindo Township (敏都乡) is located in the southeastern part of Gonjo County (贡觉县), Chamdo (昌都市), Tibet Autonomous Region. It borders Baiyu County (白玉县) in the Ganzi Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan to the east, and is adjacent to Xiong Song Township (雄松乡) to the south, Awang Township (阿旺乡) and Muxie Township (木协乡) to the west, and Shadong Township (沙东乡) to the north.

Key Information

  • Location: Southeastern part of Gonjo County

  • Area: 205.87 km²

  • Population: 8,352 people (as of the end of 2020)

  • Postal Code: 854214

  • Area Code: 0895

  • Climate: Continental plateau monsoon climate

  • License Plate Code: Zang B (藏B)

Administrative History

  • 1959: Originally administered by Luomai District (罗麦区).

  • 1960-1987: Governed by Xiong Song District (雄松区).

  • 1974: Established as a commune with a revolutionary committee.

  • 1984: Administrative separation, and Mindo Township was officially created.

  • 1988: Mindo Township was formally established.

Administrative Divisions

Mindo Township consists of the following 8 administrative villages:

  1. Mindo Village (敏都村)

  2. Kaba Village (卡巴村)

  3. Xiong Guo Village (雄果村)

  4. Mai Ba Village (麦巴村)

  5. Guo Ba Village (果巴村)

  6. Gong Ba Village (贡巴村)

  7. Wa Dui Village (瓦堆村)

  8. Ma Jue Village (马觉村)

The township’s government is located in Mindo Village, which also serves as the administrative and cultural center of the area.

Geography and Natural Resources

  • Elevation: The average elevation of Mindo Township is 2,940 meters above sea level.

  • Natural Resources: Mindo is rich in mineral resources, including gold, copper, and zinc. The region is also famous for producing traditional medicinal materials, such as Cordyceps (冬虫夏草), a highly prized fungus used in Chinese medicine.

Population and Economy

Population Growth

  • 2011: 2,211 people

  • 2017: 1,857 people

  • 2019: 2,335 people

  • 2020: 8,352 people

Economic Overview

In 2011, the per capita income for farmers and herders in Mindo Township was 2,993 yuan, with a cash income of 1,946 yuan. By 2020, Mindo Township’s revenue and expenditure budget reached 18,233,793.86 yuan, a 23.8% increase compared to the previous year. The township also has 9 comprehensive stores or supermarkets with an area of more than 50 square meters.

Agriculture

Mindo is primarily an agricultural township. In 2011, the township’s total agricultural output value reached 11.25 million yuan. The main crops grown are barley (青稞) and oats (大麦). The total cultivated area in 2011 was 3,291.6 acres, with 5,068 acres planted with grain, including 1,891 acres of barley, 1,493.8 acres of oats, and 1,354 acres of spring wheat.

Mindo is also known for its livestock farming, with a focus on cattle, horses, and sheep. In 2011, the township saw the birth of 1,849 new livestock, with a survival rate of 95.7% and a mortality rate of 2.4% for adult livestock.

Social Development

Education

  • 2011: Mindo Township had 1 township primary school, 1 village primary school, and 3 teaching points. The enrollment rate for primary school-aged children was 89%.

Healthcare

  • 2011: The township had one health center, with 95% of the population participating in the new rural cooperative medical scheme. The vaccination rate for children was above 90%.

Infrastructure and Transportation

Mindo Township is connected by National Road 317 (317国道), which provides access to neighboring regions.

Cultural and Scenic Attractions

Mindo Township is home to several Tibetan Buddhist monasteries belonging to the Nyingma Sect (宁玛派):

  1. Gensha Monastery (根沙寺) in Kaba Village (卡巴村)

  2. Zhamang Monastery (扎芒寺) in Mindo Village (敏都村)

  3. Taixi Monastery (台西寺) in Ani Village (阿尼村)

These monasteries are important cultural and religious landmarks for the local Tibetan community and are popular among visitors interested in Tibetan Buddhist culture.