Gonggar, Tibet is the place to visit for anyone who is interested in history, geology, and geography, particularly as they relate to Buddhism. The county is best known for its Tibetan Buddhism school of Sakya which was established in the 14th century. The dzong at Gonggar and the Gonggar Choede Monastery are also among the best known in Tibet.
GonggarTibet is located in the southern portion of Tibet in the Lhoka Prefecture (Shannan Prefecture) and totals an area of almost 900 square miles. The mother river of Tibet, the Yarlung Tsangpo, or Brahmaputra, flows through the county. Gonggar is a flat land with an altitude averaging 12,300 feet. The Gonggar Airport was constructed here since the county is located on a portion of the Yarlung Tsangpo River that is very wide. Rawa-me, the capital of Gonggar, is located just east of the airport. As of 2003, the population stood at 50,000.
In the 1950s, a cultural revolution took place and Gonggar was the location of a battle between the Kamba rebels and the People's Liberation Army (PLA) of China. In Tibet, the natural landscapes such as the valleys, lakes, and especially mountains, hold great religious symbolism. The rebels at the time fought in the name of the “four rivers and six mountain ranges” that were so important to them. It was here at Gonggar that the Kamba rebels ambushed the troops and their vehicles.
The famous Gonggar Dzong is in ruin and can be viewed near the Sundruling Monastery, on the road to Chusul. The fortress is at an elevation of 13,372 feet, near the Tsangpo and Kyichu rivers. The Gonggar Choide Monastery was built in 1464 and is located just off of Lhasa Road. The monastery walls were painted during the 16th century by Wangchuk, one of the most well-known artists of the time. While the monastery used to house 160 monks, it now houses about 30. The building is still in good condition and the exterior was recently restored. The monastery is the site of many festivals held throughout the year, particularly on days with a full moon.
Gonggar county is a monsoon climate, entailing mostly wet weather and very few dry seasons. The average temperature can be anywhere from 45-47 degrees Fahrenheit. The hottest month is 60.4 degrees while the coldest month gets to be about 28 degrees Fahrenheit. Approximately 14 inches of rain fall upon the county, at an average of 29.9 rainy days.
The county is made up of mainly forest area and grassland area. Gonggar is an agricultural economy and provides grain to many counties in the area. Farmers in Gonggar grow barley, wheat, pea, radish, potato, cabbage, and cauliflower, among other things. Many medicinal plants are also farmed in the county and include musk, cypress, ginseng, and snow lotus. Livestock typically include yak, cattle, goats, sheep, horses, donkeys, pigs, and mules. Gonggar is home to many native wildlife species such as wild yak, wild ass, Tibetan gazelle, Tibetan antelope, and Black-necked cranes.
Tourism is steadily growing in Gonggar, Tibet. The county recently held 5 trade fairs and 3 cultural fairs in order to promote and educate locals and tourists about Gonggar's products, cultural arts, and handicrafts. Among these crafts is the “Jed Show Apron,” which is warn by married Tibetan women. This apron is crafted in Gonggar, particularly in the Jiedexiu (also spelt Gyaideshiu) area, and has been produced here for the last 500 to 600 years. The Jiedexiu group has a particular style of hand weaving that has been practiced for 1,500 years. This technique is often called “China's state-level intangible cultural heritage.”
Getting to Gonggar is made easy via the Lhasa Gonggar Airport. Located 39 miles from the city of Gonggar and a 40 to 60 minute drive.
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