Jianzha County is spelled as “Jainca County” or “Jentsa County” or “Chentsa County” in Tibetan language; it is located in southeast of Qinghai Province and north of Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The northeastern part of Jianzha County faces Hualong Hui Autonomous County with Yellow River as boundary, Xunhua Salar Autonomous County in southeast, Guide County in west, and Tongren countyin south.
Location
The county is about 87 kilometers long from north to south and 48 kilometers wide from east to west, with a total area of 1,714 square kilometers. Jianzha County is one of birthplaces of The Second Propagation of Tibetan Buddhism. Kambala National Geological Park is famous for its “Danxia” landform. There are 3 main Tibetan Budhism monasteries of Achung Namdzong monastery, Tashi Namyeling, and Samten Chopeling in this GEO park.
It is also training base of China national team for rowing and kayaking on Qinghai plateau, and the only “Archery county” of China minority tribes
Best time to travel
From May to Ocotber
Local climate
Plateau continental climate
Most popular sites
Kambala National GEO Park, A typical Danxia landform, integrating natural, Tibetan buddhism and cultural
Achung Namdzong monastery, Located in center area of Kambala National Geological Park, about 5 kilometers away from Nandzong valley, it is a Nyingma pa monastery, which has a history of more than 1,100 years
Lamo Dechen monastery, It was built in Huichang year of Tang Dynasty (AD 842). In Qing Dynasty, cliff was cut into many holes, in which a buddhist hall and one statue of Buddha was built in. It is also known as “Vahra cliff monastery” due to most of buildings of this monastery were built in natual made or had made caves on cliff. It is unique because of its unique mountain shape and strange landform. The monastery now still has twenty-eight ancient natural and hand – built halls, and cultural relics of collection include 1,136 various Buddha statues, sculptures, scroll paintings, murals, gold and silver handwritten secrets from Northern Wei Dynasty.
Angla Qianhu Manor, Angla Qianhu means Angla Thousand-Family; Angla Qianhu Manor was built in 1947 AD and was originally a residence of Angla Thousand-family living in Jianzha county. According to historical records, Angla Qianhu was descendant of 41st king of Tubo kingdom, Ralpacan. In order to guard border and collect taxes, in 492 AD, Minister of Tubo kingdom arrrived and began to Live in this area, then became leader of Jianzha county.
In 1657, during Qianlong reign of Qing Dynasty, Zu dorje, one of his descendants, was named Angla Thousand Households. Xiang Qian was seventh generation of Angla Thousands Households, and found this manor, which is currently one of the most well-preserved Tibetan manors among many old houses in Qinghai Province.
Geography and climate
The terrain of Jianzha County is higher in west and lower in east. The lowest elevation is 1960 meters, the highest elevation is 4,614 meters, and relative elevation difference is 2654 meters.
There are obvious vertical differences in river valleys, low-mountain hills and middle-high mountains. Mountain ranges in this territory belong to Xi-Qing mountains. There are 5 big mountains from southwest to northwest, and all of which are over 3500 meters above sea level.
Population and ethnic groups
As of 2011, total population is 55,000, of which Tibetans account for about 67% of total population.
Folk Culture
Jianzha County is a junction of Loess Plateau and Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, its fusion area of Central Plains culture and Qiang-Tibet culture, and intersection of farming civilization and grassland civilization.
The unique geographical environment, clear cultural context, and fusion of various ethnic and religious cultures make cultural form of Jianzha region present a typical diversity. Qiangrong culture, Xianbei culture, Han culture, Tubo culture and other cultural forms alternate and blend, complement each other, and finally form a fluid, open, and conformable regional culture. Jianzha is a natural museum for studying history, culture and folk customs of Qiang and Tibet..
Brief history
It was Nomad area in Qin Dynasty (221 BC ~ 207 BC) and early Western Han Dynasty (202 BC-8 AD)
In second year of Emperor Xuanjue of Western Han Dynasty (60 BC), it was under jurisdiction of Heguan county.
In seventh year of Emperor Huai’s Yongjia in Western Jin Dynasty (313 AD), Jianzha area was Tuyuhun activity site.
During Southern and Northern Dynasties, Jianzha area belonged to Heyin Town of Guide.
In fifth year of Jiande in Northern Zhou Dynasty (AD 576), Jianzha was named as “Dahua County”
In sixth year of Emperor Gaozong’s Yonghui of Tang Dynasty (AD 655 ), Jianzha was under jurisdiction of Michuan County
In Yuan Dynasty, Jianzha was under jurisdiction of Guide,
In 2nd year of Republic of China (1913), Jianzha county was first time appeared but still under the jurisdiction of Guide County.
In 1953, Jianzha County was officially established and under jurisdiction of Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous prefecture
