Bamei Town is a town under jurisdiction of Dawu County and was once resident of former Qianning County.
Qianning County was a county in previously “Xikang Province” which is now Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. Bamei Town used to be the county seat of Qianning county.
According to legend, Gar Tong-tzan, the prime minister of Tubo dynasty, evaded the Tang soldiers from hunting down in this town, hence, this town was named “Garthar” or “Gata“. Later, it was renamed “Qianning County“
In Autumn, Tibetan from surrounding villages or highland pasture gather to this town trade nature products, such like rare mushroom, fox fur…,etc,
The scenery of Bame Town is dominated by plateau grassland scenery. Among them, gorgeous scenery of Moshi Park is comparable to limestone karst stone forest in South China, but it is very special in terms of geological origin, landscape characteristics, micro-topography and natural environment. Similar mylonite soil stone forests have not been reported across China
Location
Located in southeast of Dawu county, at an altitude of 3350 meters, about 78 kilometers away from Dawu County seat, 30 kilometers away from Tagong Township, 60 kilometers away from Xinduqiao Town, 140 kilometers away from Kangding City, with an administrative area of 281 square kilometers.
Bame Town is within “Hinterland of Kham” and is an important transportation node around Mt Gongga. It is also a hub connecting south, north and east of Kham and the gateway to 8 counties in north of Garze County. It connects to Danba County in north, Kangding City in northeast, and Garze County in west.
The whole town of Bamei is to be built on two sides of N317 road with distance of about 200 meter. Most of stores are resturants and hotels, guesthouses which could be over 40, there are also several grossary stores, and vehicle maintanance shops, 2 gas station on two side of this small town
Best time to travel
Throughout year
Local climate
Plateau and mountain climat
Most popular sites
Moshi Park is located about 6 kilometers from east end of Bamei Town and about 400 meters from National Highway 317. It has an area of 5 square kilometers and an altitude of about 3,350 meters. It is Mylonite Stone Forest Geopark
Huiyuan Temple, also known as “Garthar Shangbaling” OR “Garthar Chode Monastery”in Tibetan, is a Gelug pa monastery of Tibetan Buddhism. It is located in Xiede Township about 6 kilometers north of Bamei township. It was built in 1729 AD and was built by central government of Qing dynasty with special funds for the 7thDalai Lama to avoid Dzungar Rebellion. Huiyuan Temple covers an area of 500 acres and has three layers of walls inside. 11th Dalai Lama of Khedrup Gyatso was born here. Since then, Huiyuan Temple has had a deep influence in Tibetan areas
Population and ethnicity
As of 2017, Bame Town has a population of 5,487 people. The ethnic groups living there include Tibetan, Han, Miao, Hui and other ethnic groups.
How to get to there
The easiest and quickest way is to take flight from Chengdu to Kangding , then switch to local vehicle driving onto Bamei, which overland journey takes about 2 hours’ drive
Kangding Airport
Contact: +86 836 282 7811
IATA Code: KGT
Altitude: 4,238 meters
Chengdu XinNanMen Bus Station
Add: No. 2, Xin Nan Road
Contact: +86 28 8543-3609
Altitude: 460 meter
Distance from Bamei to
- Kangding : 105 kilometers, about 2.5 hours’ drive
- Lhagang monastery : 30 kilometers, about 1 hour’ drive
- Dawu county : 78 kilometers, about 1.5 hours’ drive
- Danba : 90 kilometers, about 2.5 hours’ drive
- Chengdu : 470 kilometers, about 9 hours’ drive
Brief history
During Han Dynasty (202 BC-220 AD), Bamei area was a part of Land of “Qiang tribe”
During Tang Dynasty (618 AD-907 AD) and Song Dynasty (960 AD-1279 AD), it was occupied by Tubo kingdom
In Yuan Dynasty (AD 1271-AD 1368), it was under jurisdiction of Changhe-Xiyutong-Ningyuan Pacification Commissioner’s Office
In During Qing Dynasty(AD 1636-AD 1912), it was rulled by Mingzheng Chieftain
In 8th year of Emperor Yongzheng of Qing Dynasty (1730 AD), Taining Region was established, and being placed under Dartsedo Ting(County)
In 3rd year of Emperor Xuantong of Qing Dynasty (1912), Dartsedo Tingwas changed to Kangding Mansion
In 26th year of Republic of China (1937), Xikang Province was established, which Taining Area was under its jurisdiction
In 34th year of Republic of China (1945), Qianning County （Garthar in Tibetan） was established
In 1950, it belonged to Tibetan Autonomous Region of Xikang Province.
In 1955, Xikang Tibetan Autonomous Region was abolished, and Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture was established, Qianning County was under its jurisdiction
In 1978, Qianning County jurisdiction was divided into Dawu County and Yajiang County
In 1984, Bamei village was restored,
In 1992, Bamei village was abolished, and Bamei Township was established
