City Introduction of Tibet, China: Shannan

Major Economic Indicators (2007)

Source: Shannan Economic and Social Development Report 2007

Introduction

Shannan Prefecture is located in the southern part of Tibetan Autonomous Region, in the middle-lower reach of Brahmaputra River, bordering Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, to the north, and Bhutan and India to the south. It covers an area of 79,700 sq km and has an average altitude of 3,700 meters. There are 14 ethnic groups, including Tibetans, the Han, the Menba, and the Luoba, living in the area. The population of the city amounted to 330,100 by the end of 2007. Tibetans account for 96% of Shannan's total population.

Shannan is a typical southern Tibetan valley.  It has short a cool summer and a long dry and windy winter. The temperature difference between day and night is very large. The average temperature is 7.4-8.9°C, while the average annual precipitation totals 300-400 mm. Approximately 90% of the rainfall is in the period from June to September.

Shannan is rich in water and mineral resources. Brahmaputra River, which is appraised as the mother river of the Tibetan people, and 41 other rivers run through the city. Theoretical reserves of hydro-energy amount to 35.1 million kw. Currently, Shannan is using only 18,300 kw. In addition, mineral resources such as chromium, gold, copper, iron, antimony, lead, zinc, manganese, mica, crystal, jade and marble are abundant. Proven reserves of chromium amount to 5 million tons, accounting for approximately 35%-45% of China's total, ranking first throughout the country.

Transportation in Shannan is very convenient and mainly relies on highways and airlines. It is 200 km from Shannan to Lhasa. There are buses running between the two cities every day. In addition, Gongga Airport, located in Gongga county of Shannan, is only 65 km from Lhasa. It is the largest airport in Tibet in terms of freight and passenger throughput and operates scheduled flights to domestic cities such as Beijing, the capital of China, Chengdu, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Xi'an, and Kunming. In addition, there are also international flights to Katmandu, the capital city of Nepal.

Economic Features

Shannan realized GDP of RMB 3.3 billion in 2007, representing a rise of 12.6% year on year. The city's GDP accounted for approximately 10.1% of Tibet's total and ranked sixth in the autonomous region.

The agricultural sector, the smallest contributor to the city’s economy, generated value-added output of RMB 33.6 million in 2007, accounting for 10.1% of the city's GDP. The total output of the sector amounted to RMB 600 million, contributing 7.5% to Tibet's total.

In 2007, secondary industry (industry and construction) realized value-added industrial output of RMB 1.2 billion, accounting for 37.4% of the prefecture’s total.  

During 2007, gross output value of industry at townships level and above reached RMB 623 million, accounting for 13.2% of Tibet's total. Heavy and light industries at the township level and above realized RMB 554 million and RMB 68.9 million, contributing 88.9% and 11.1% respectively to the total. The total value-added industrial output of the enterprises above the designated size reached RMB 221 million, accounting for only 9.4% of Tibet's total.

The value-added industrial output of Shangnan's construction sector reached RMB 111 million, and ranked third after Changdu and Lhasa in 2007, contributing 7.6% to the autonomous region’s total.

The service sector, the largest contributor of Shangnan's economy, generated value-added output of RMB 1.7 billion, accounting for 52.5% of the prefecture’s total GDP in 2007.  

Tourism is an important pillar of the service sector. During 2007, 703,000 tourists visited the city, while tourism income totaled RMB 158 million.

Cultural Highlights

Shangnan is an important birthplace of Tibetan culture, which is the dominant culture in the city. Tibetans account for 96% of the prefecture’s total population.

Two of the most important dynasties in Tibet, namely Tufan Dynasty and Pazhu Dynasty, rose from Shannan. Songzan Ganbu, a national hero in the Tang Dynasty, re-unified the whole Tibet Autonomous Region from Shannan. In 641 A.D., he married Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty. There are a lot of legends and stories about the romantic marriage.

Tourist Attractions

Shannan has natural beauty and a charming cultural heritage. Heliu River Scenery Area, covering an area of 920 sq km, is the only state-level scenery area in Tibet, and covers parts of eight counties in Shannan.

Tourists should see the Yalong River, the Wenqu River and the Woka River, as well as Lamunacuo Lake, which is appraised as holy lake of Tibet, and the grassland pearl, Zhegu Lake. Various karst caves, the Zuoluoka Hot Spring, which is for the exclusive use of local religious leaders, are also really must-go tourist attractions.

Historically, the craftworks of Shannan were made for the exclusive use of royal and noble families. The beautiful jade ware of Qiongjie County, handcrafted wooden bowls, and knitted products of Zhanang County are now excellent souvenirs for tourists from home and abroad.