Bainang County, also known “Panam County “, is a county under Shigatse City, Bainang means “two surnames” in Tibetan.
Legend has it that in the 13th century, two buddhism masters once practiced here. Later, in order to commemorate this two masters, the surnames of the two masters were combined as Bainang. The county seat was originally located in Jolo Village, it was moved to Norbu Khyungtse town in 1970
Location
The total area of Bainang is 2489 square kilometers with an average elevation of 4200 meters, Bainang County’s seat is 3890 meters above sea level. It is 49 kilometers away from Shigatse City and 45 kilometers away from Gyantse City. The Shigatse-Gyantse Highway crosses the whole county
Bainang County is located in the middle reaches of Nianchu River, the main tributary of Yarlung Tsangbo River; it borders Shigatse City in north, Gyantse County in south, Rinbung County in east, and Sagya County in west.
Best time to travel
From May to October
Local climate
Temperate semi-arid monsoon climate
Most popular sites
Baigang Monastrery, also known as “Pokhang Monastery“, was found in 1213 AD. It is a Gelug pa monastery that located in Baigang Village of Jangto Township
Sanzhuolin Monastrery, was built in the middle of 8th century. It is a Gelug pa monastery of Tibetan Buddhism. It was the place where is to translate Tripitaka in the first time. It was demolished during the Cultural Revolution in 20th century, and being rebuilt on the original site in 1985. The whole monastery covers an area of 2,140 square meters.
Geography and climate
Bainang County is located in southern of Tibet Autonomous Region. It is high in southwest and low in northeast with landformof a high mountain and a wide valley
It is with dry climate, strong solar radiation and distinct dry, wet, cold and warm seasons.
Annual average temperature is 5.9℃, with a large daily temperature difference and a small annual difference. The highest temperature is 26℃, and the lowest temperature is -24.6℃.
Nianchu River is 38 kilometers long in its territory. Wet season is from June to September each year, from October to May of the following year is normal water period.
The maximum flow rate is 41.70m/s, the minimum flow rate is 11.07m/s, and annual average flow rate is 25.7m/s.
Population and ethnicity
As of 2013, Bainang County has a total population of 44,000, of which Tibetan population accounts for 88% of total population. Other ethnic groups include Han, Hui, Mongolian, Manchu, Miao, and more.
Brief History
In 8th year of Kaiyuan of Tang Dynasty (720 AD), Bainang County was established.
In 11th century, it was ruled separatly by Families of Qiong, Zhe and Jie.
In the middle of 13th century, Yuan Dynasty implemented “130,000 household administrative system”
In late 14th century, Pamu drukpa regime implemented “Zong” system in Tibet. The adminitrative system of “County” was changed to be “Zong”
From 15th to 16th century, Bainang Zong underwent rule of Pazhuo, Rembongpa, and Zangba Disi regimes.
In 1956, Committe offices were established in Bainang Zong, which was subordinate to “Jiqiao office” of Gyangze County.
In 1959, Three Zong of Bainang, Wangdan, and Du Qiong were merged to form Bainang County, which was under jurisdiction of Gyangtse.
In 2014, Shigatse Prefecture was abolished and the prefecture-level Shigatse City was established, and Bainang County has been under jurisdiction of Shigatse City since then
