Lintan County is under jurisdiction of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu Province. It was called “Tao Zhou” in ancient times.
Lintan County has a national 4A-level scenic spot Yeliguan, Huangjianzi National Forest Park, Lianhuashan National Nature Reserve, and a provincial geological park.
Best travel time
From May to October
Local climate
Temperate continental climate
Most popular sites
Taozhou Acropolis is the largest existing acropolis in China. It was originally named Houhe City, and being rebuilt in Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 386-534) and renamed Honghe City. In Ming Dynasty, it was rebuilt as present Taozhou Acropolis. It was severely damaged in earthquake in 2013. It faces south from north and has a circumference of 5,430 meters. Acropolis’s south side faces river, other three sides face mountains
Houjia monastery is also known as “Yerwa Gon Samdrubling” in Tibetan language. At most, there were more than 1,000 monks. Houjia monastery owns more than 300 acres of land and being financially strong. Main religious event is annual Pujia on 19th day of the first month of Lunar calendar. During festival, there are activities such as Shining Treasures, Huge Thangkar unfolding, Chanting, Monk Dharma dances.
Manu Temple, also called “Tashigar Monastery” in Tibetan, is an ancient Tibetan Buddhist monastery. Located on opposite side of Yangpozhuang, about 3 kilometers away from Lintan County, temple’s site covers an area of 26 acres. It is one of 108 Sakya monasteries built by Kublai Khan in Yuan Dynasty based on suggestion of King Ba Sipa from imperial capital to southwest.
Duoshan Stone Bamboo Shoots, It is located on Beiduo Mountain, Xincheng Town. Duoshan means Big Stone Moutnain. The view on eastern slope of main peak of Duoshan is in a shape of a steamed bun. An independent stone pillar emerged suddenly, about 120 meters high and more than 40 meters in diameter. Stone pillars are cylindrical with same diameter up and down, it is entirely composed of off-white limestone. It stands upright from a close view, like a sword piercing sky, and from a distance, it is like a bamboo shoot coming out of earth, so it is called Duoshan jade bamboo shoot.
Geography and climate
Lintan County is a mountainous and hilly area, terrain is high in west and low in east, and slopes from southwest to northeast. Territory is mostly low mountains and deep valleys, complex terrain, and many ravines. Altitude is between 2200-3926 meters, with an average altitude of 2825 meters
Its climate in most parts belongs to high-cold and arid area, with cold, humid and unclear four seasons. Precipitation is more in northeast and less in southwest.
Its climate features long, cold and dry winter, slow-warming in summer and spring, fast cooling in autumn. Annual average temperature is 3.2℃; Annual precipitation is 383-668 mm; Snshine hours are 2314 hours, and annual average frost-free period is about 65 days.
Population and ethnic group
As of 2011, total population of Lintan County was 150,000. There are 10 ethnic groups including Han, Hui, Tibetan, Mongolian, Dongxiang, Tu, Manchu, Miao, Li, and Salar. Eethnic minority population is 41,000, accounting for 28% of total population.
Brief history
As early as Neolithic period, nomads lived in this region
“Tea-Horse Trading Market” began in this area, with start in Song Dynasty, flourished in Ming Dynasty, and ended in Qing Dynasty.
During Western Han Dynasty, refuges of wars were moved to this region, which brought advanced production technology, culture and art of Central Plains.
In Western Jin Dynasty, Tuyuhun regime occupied Lintan area, built monasteries, since then Buddhist culture spread in here.
In 12th year of Hongwu of Ming Dynasty (AD 1379), Ming’s army reclaimed Lintan area, and built a well-preserved Acropolis in new city of Lintan, which was called Taozhou Acropolis.
In Tang Dynasty, Lintan County was established.
In Qing Dynasty, it was named as Taozhou region
In 2nd year of Republic of China (1913), Lintan County was restored, till now
