Baingoin County, also known as “Palgon County“, is a county in Nagqu City.
“Baingoin” means “Auspicious Guardian God” in Tibetan. It is located between Namtso lake and Selin tso lake.
The county seat is Pubao Town with altitude of 4750 meters above sea level. It was called Langru Zong (Namru dzong). It is named after Baingoin Tso Lake in its territory.
Location
Baingoin County is adjacent to Seni District in east, Xainza County in west, Damxung County of Lhasa City in south, Namling County of Shigatse City in south, and Shuanghu County and Amdo County in north.
Namtso Lake, one of the “Four Holy Lakes” in Tibet, is the boundary lake between Baingoin County and Damxung County. It is regarded as a sacred lake by the local people, and there is an endless stream of pilgrims who come to the lake every year for the blessing of Buddhas.
Best time to travel
From May to October
Local climate
Subarc zone semi-arid monsoon climate
Most popular sites
Namtso lake is one of Tibet’s “Four Sacred Lakes” and the first sacred lake of Bon religion — the ancient Zhang Zhung Buddha Dharma; The lake surface is 4718 meters above sea level, and the shape is approximately rectangular. It is about 70 kilometers long from east to west, approximately 30 kilometers wide from north to south, and covers an area of more than 1,920 square kilometers. Whenever the Tibetan calendar year of the goat, hundreds of believers come to make pilgrimage to the Tashi monastery on the Tashiduo Peninsula, which extends into the lake.”
Selintso lake, also known as “Serling Lake”, is the second largest saltwater lake in the grasslands of northern Tibet after Namtso lake. It is located at the junction of Xainza, Nyima and Baingoin counties with altitude of 4,530 meters, the lake is 72 kilometers long from east to west, with an average width of 23 kilometers, of which the widest in the east is 40 kilometers, and the lake area is 1,640 square kilometers. It is the largest inland lake system in Tibet.
Chadok Monastery, it is on Chadorangka Island in north of Namtso lake. There are many naturally formed images and patterns on the cliffs, which have been given many religious meanings. They are regarded as various Buddha statues and writings as holy sites. More and more practitioners came here and practiced for many years in the excavated caves on the cliffs. Later, people built Chadok Monastery on this holy ground for spiritual practice. This is a Gelug pa monastery with a history of more than 370 years. .
Geography and climate
Baingoin County is 364 kilometers from east to west, 350 kilometers from north to south, with a total area of 30,138 square kilometers and an average elevation of 4,700 meters.
It belongs to the lake basin area of South Qiangtang Plateau. Its hills are gentle, grasslands are open, and the terrain is high in north and low in south.
The southern lake area is 4,530 meters above sea level, surrounded by alluvial plains and relatively slow remnants;
The north is a deep-cut high mountain with glaciers on the top.
The middle part is covered with middle and high mountains over 5,800 meters above sea level in shape of low mountains.
Baingoin County is separated by mountains and the humid air of Indian Ocean is difficult to enter.
Its climate is cold, the air is thin, the four seasons are unclear, winter is long and summer is short, and the weather is snowy.
Its temperature difference between day and night is large, and there is no absolute frost-free period.
Annual average temperature is around 0 degree, and annual sunshine time is more than 2850 hours. Its annual highest temperature is 21.9℃, and the lowest temperature is -28.6℃.
Average temperature in January is -17.1℃, average temperature in July is 16.5℃, and the depth of frozen soil is 3 meters. The annual precipitation is 289-390 mm, mainly in June-September, accounting for 80% of the total annual precipitation.
Population and ethnicity
As of 2014, Baingoin County has a total population of 41,579 people, and Tibetans account for 96% of total population. There are a small number of Han, Hui, Mongolian, Monba, Loba, etc.
Brief history
In 7th century AD, Baingoin area was ruled by Subi kingdom.
Tubo tribe unified the whole Tibet, established a powerful Tubo dynasty, and Baingoin area was also brought under its rule.
From 17th century to the beginning of 18th century, Baingoin area was under jurisdiction of Heshuote Mongolian regime.
In 6th year of Emperor Yongzheng of Qing Dynasty (AD 1728), the Qing government set up a minister office in Tibet.
In 16th year of Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty (AD 1751), Baingoin area was under jurisdiction of Minister office in Tibet.
In 1959, Baingoin County was established.
In 1960, “Black River area” was renamed as “Nagqu area“, and Baingoin County has since been subordinate to Nagqu area.
In 1978, Shuanghu Office (now Shuanghu County) was established, and Sewa District of Baingoin County was placed under jurisdiction of Shuanghu Office
In 1987, Tongyi Township in Xinji District of Baingoin County was placed under Xainza County.
In 2017, Nagqu Prefecture was abolished, and Nagqu City was established; Baingoin County is under jurisdiction of Nagqu City until now
