City Introduction of Tibet, China: Linzhi Prefecture

Major Economic Indicators (2007)

Source: Linzhi Economic and Social Development Report 2007

Introduction

Beautiful Linzhi Prefecture, famous as the Switzerland of Tibet, is located in the southeastern part of Tibetan Autonomous Region, in the lower reach of Yalu Zangbu River, bordering India and Burma. It covers an area of 117,000sq km. The average altitude of Linzhi is approximately 3,000 meters. The population of the prefecture amounted to 164,300 by the end of 2007.

Linzhi has a semi-humid tropical climate with plenty of sunshine and rainfall. The summer is not extremely hot, while the winter is not bitterly cold. The average temperature is 8.7°C, while the average annual precipitation totals approximately 650 mm.

Linzhi is rich in natural resources. Forests cover 46.1% of the prefecture’s lands. Timber reserves amount to 882 million steres, ranking second in China. Linzhi’s Water resources contribute more than 70% of Tibet's total. Potential installed capacity of Yalu Zangbu River is widely believed to exceed 60 million kw, three times the capacity of the Three Gorges Hydropower Station.

Transportation in Linzhi mainly relies on highways and on the airport. There are two highways connecting Linzhi with the outside world, namely the 345 km Linzhi-Ranwu Highway and the 472 km Zedang-Linzhi Highway. Linzhi Airport, which opened in 2006, operates scheduled flights to Lhasa, the capital of Tibet Autonomous Region and Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province.

Economic Features

Linzhi realized GDP of RMB 3.4 billion in 2007, representing a rise of 15.9% year on year. The prefecture's GDP accounted for approximately 9.9% of Tibet's total and ranked fifth out of seven in the autonomous region.

The agricultural sector, the smallest contributor to the prefecture's economy, generated value-added output of RMB 504 million in 2007, accounting for 14.9% of the prefecture's GDP. Total output value of the sector amounted to RMB 660 million, contributing 8.3% to Tibet's total.

In 2007, secondary industry (industry and construction) realized value-added output of RMB 1.2 billion, accounting for 35.6% of the prefecture's total.  

During 2007, gross output value of industry at the township level and above reached RMB 536 million, accounting for only 11.3% of Tibet's total. Heavy and light industries at the township level and above realized RMB 197 million and RMB 339 million, contributing 36.7% and 63.3% respectively to the total. Total value-added industrial output of the enterprises above the designated size reached RMB 255 million, accounting for 10.8% of Tibet's total.

The value-added industrial output of Linzhi's construction sector reached RMB 77.5 million, in 2007, contributing only 5.3% to the autonomous region’s total.

The service sector, the largest contributor of Linzhi's economy, generated value-added output of RMB 1.7 billion, accounting for 49.5% of the prefecture's total GDP in 2007.  

Tourism is an important pillar of the service sector. During 2007, 820,000 tourists visited the prefecture in 2007, up 30% year on year, while tourism income totaled RMB 420 million, representing a rise of 70% over last year.

Cultural Highlights

Tibetans account for approximately 90% of Linzhi's total population. In addition, major local ethnic groups include the Menba, the Luoba and the Chengren. They have folk customs that are similar to those of the Tibetan people.

Polygamy, and unique water, sky, earth and rock burials of the local minority people make Linzhi a mysterious place in China. The traditional Basong Lake Zhuanhu Festival and Gongbu New Year are special festivals among the local people. During the annual Basong Lake Zhuanhu Festival, people come to walk around the Basong Lake to celebrate the birth of Sakyamuni, an early Buddhist figure.

Tourist Attractions

Linzhi has natural beauty and a charming cultural heritage. Tourist attractions include Yalu Zangbu Giant Canyon, Zangbu Badong Waterfall, Baga Temple, Galang Palace Ruins, Basongcuo Tourism Area, Gangxiang Nature Reserve, Dongjiu Nature Reserve, Chayu Natural Reserve and Nanjia Bawa Mountain, which ranks 15th in height among mountains worldwide.

Traditional Tibetan foods such as Zanba, which is made of roasted qingke barley flour, Butter Tea, and Tibetan Qingke Liquor, are also popular among local Linzhi Tibetan people. In addition, for Luoba people, roasted rats are the most delicious dish to serve to guests.