Xiahe (Chinese: 夏河, pinyin: Xiàhé) is a county in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu province, the People's Republic of China. It is home to the famed Labrang Lamaist Buddhist monastery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist monetary in China, outside of Tibet proper. The town is populated largely by ethnic Tibetans, as well as some Hui and Han Chinese. The area is highly rural and pastoral (including yak and other animal rearing). The geography is mountainous. In recent years it has become a tourist attraction. The town was named Xiahe in 1928.

Location

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Xiahe is found in the southern portion of Gansu province, along the western border with Qinghai province. It lies along the Daxia and Zhao rivers. It is on the northeast edge of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The average elevation is 2900 - 3100m with the highest being 4636m and lowest 2160m.

Name

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The name, which literally means, "Xia River" refers to the Daxia River which runs alongside the town.

External links

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• http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/gansu/xiahe/
• Journey through China - A site with numerous pictures of Xiahe.
• http://www.synaptic.bc.ca/gallery/xiahe.htm

Gansu