City Introduction of Qinghai, China: Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Region

Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Region

Major Economic Indicators (2007)

Source: Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Region Economic and Social Development Report 2007

Introduction

Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Region is located in the southeast of Qinghai Province, bordering Gansu Province and Sichuan Province. It covers a vast land area of 78,000 sq km and has a population of only 157,695.

Guoluo has a typical continental plateau climate, and has an extremely cold winter and a large temperature difference between day and night. The average temperatures of the counties under jurisdiction of Guoluo are almost all below 0℃, while the annual precipitation is 297.4-764.1 mm.

Guoluo is rich in natural resources. The largest forestry center in Qinghai, Make River Forest Area, is located in Guoluo. Theoretical hydroelectricity reserves of local rivers and lakes amount to 3.5 million kw. Nine hydropower stations currently are working in the region. In addition, mineral resources such as copper, cobalt, sulfur, cadmium, gold, silver, coal and limestone, are abundant.

Guoluo currently is not accessible by railways and airports. Transportation in Guoluo mainly relies on Xijiu Highway. It is a provincial highway that runs through Guoluo and its five subsidiary counties and extends to Sichuan Province.

Economic Features

Guoluo realized GDP of RMB 1.0 billion in 2007, representing a rise of 13.9% year on year. The region's GDP accounted for approximately 1.3% of Qinghai's total and ranked last in the province.

The value-added output of the agricultural sector increased by 3.5% year on year to RMB 329 million in 2007, contributing 32.5% of the region's GDP. Animal husbandry is the pillar of the agricultural sector. Total output of grain and oil plants amounted to 1,455 tons and 79 tons, up 7.1% and 14.5% year on year, respectively.

In 2007, the value-added output of secondary industry (industry and construction), the largest contributor to the region's economy, amounted to RMB 207 million and accounted for 20.4% of the region's total.

The industrial sector realized value-added industrial output of RMB 82.6 billion, up 505% year on year, while the value-added industrial output of industrial enterprises with designated size or above increased by 1,350% to RMB 74.2 million, contributing 90% to the industrial sector's total. Heavy and light industrial enterprises with designated size or above realized value-added industrial output of RMB 70.6 million and RMB 3.6 million, contributing 95.3% and 4.7% to the total, respectively.

Guoluo-based Qinghai West Copper Company, which is the subsidiary of the Shanghai-listed company, Zijin Mining Group<601899>, realized value-added output of RMB 69.0 million in 2007, accounting for 83.5% to the industrial sector's total.

In 2007, the service sector generated value-added output of RMB 477 million, contributing 47.1% of the region's GDP. Wholesale and retail are important pillars of the sector. As a whole, they realized sales of RMB 134 million, representing a rise of 13.1% year on year.

Tourism is also important for Guoluo’s service sector. In 2007, 121,800 tourists visited the region, up 14.4% year on year, while tourism income totaled RMB 4.2 million.

Cultural Highlights

Guoluo is known for its profound and multi-cultural history. There are 14 minority ethnic groups including Tibetans, the Hui, Mongols and the Tu, living here. Tibetans account for 89% of the total population.

The minority ethnic groups retain their own folk customs and live harmoniously and happily in the region.

The local people revere the Tibetan Epic of King Gesar. Almost every family has one copy of the epic. Nightly reading of "Gesar" is indispensable to the local people’s lives.

Tourist Attractions

Guoluo is rich in beautiful tourism resources. Tourists should visit Eling Lake, Zhaling Lake, Animaqing Mountain, Tuosuo Lake, Baiyu Temple, Tangfan Ancient Road, and Make River Virgin Forest.

Eling Lake and Zhaling Lake are two of the largest fresh water lakes in Qingzang Plateau.

When it comes to local special snacks, hand grabbed mutton, yogurt, milk tea and sheep tendons can be good choices for tourists.