A Stop in Xigaze

by+Dong+Fang

Located in southwestern Tibet， 280 kilometers from Lhasa， Xigaze is the second largest city in the Tibet Autonomous Region， home to the traditional residence of Panchen Lamas. Xigaze， built over 600 years ago， has a population of 720，000 representing more than a dozen ethnic groups including Han， Hui， Mongolian， Tu， Manchu， Miao， Zhuang， and of course Tibetan. It has been called the “most beautiful， comfortable homeland” due to its natural landscape and unique culture.

Xigaze is the most densely populated area， with the longest stretch of border and the most concentrated areas of agriculture in Tibet. It enjoys rich resources for agriculture， animal husbandry， mining， tourism， and border trade. Moreover， it serves as a connection hub for travelers bound for many different destinations throughout South Asia. In 2013， Xigazes gross national product （GNP） topped 14.2 billion yuan， trailing only Lhasa in Tibet.

July 22， 2014， marked the formal completion of an extension of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway linking Lhasa to Xigaze. The new line will greatly improve the transportation and investment environment in Xigaze and accelerate local economic progress， particularly mineral exploitation， tourism， and special animal husbandry.

I reached Xigaze by train， and was deeply impressed by the beautiful natural scenery and dual urban and rural appeal during my stay. In pastures， flocks of cattle and sheep can be found on almost every slope， yet herders use modern vehicles like Jeeps rather than horses or carriages. Down- town， high-rises are lining up one after another， sharply contrasting its traditional Tibetan-style buildings.

I was most impressed by the local people. I felt their hospitability the day I arrived as I checked in a small hotel： The owner received me at the door with a white hada， a piece of silk used as a greeting gift， and offered food usually reserved for festive occasions. Everyone I encountered， regardless of occupation， social status or wealth， was hospitable， easygoing and seemed peaceful and relaxed.

Youre not going to take another trip like a visit to Xigaze.