Aba Tibetan Qiang Autonomous Prefecture

“ATQAP” is short for Aba Tibetan Qiang Autonomous Prefecture that is located in north-western Sichuan province. It was the most eastern area of Kham. “ATQAP” is at the upper reaches of the Yangtze River (长江) and the Yellow River (黄河), with an area of 84,200 square kilometers. Under its jurisdiction, there are 14 counties.

Aba Prefecture is located in Sichuan Province of China. It retains the animal and plant resources that have long been extinct in other parts of the world, such as Giant Pandas and Davidia involucrata; World Natural Heritage such as Huanglong and Jiuzhai valley. Aba grasslands are vast, snow-capped mountains and rivers are magnificently. The complex landforms, interlaced valleys, and diverse climates constitute a unique geographical environment. Aba Prefecture is recognized as one of the best destinations for ecotourism in the world

Brief

In Tibetan, “Aba” is also called “Ngawa” so “ATQAP” is also used as “Ngawa Tibetan & Qiang Autonomous Prefecture”. In short , people usually call “Aba” to refer this whole prefecture nowadays, however, it is different from the “Aba County“, which is administrated by “ATQAP”

• In the 8^th century, the great translator “Vai Ro Tsa Na” was exiled to Gyarong region, which is Barkham County currently
• In 1410, Tshakho Ngawang Tsapa, whom was one of the 4 greatest student of Tsongkhapa established the 1^st Gelug monastery in Aba, which was called as “Gyarong”.
• In 1956, it was renamed as “Aba Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture”
• In 1987, it was renamed as “Aba Tibetan Qiang Autonomous Prefecture”
• On May 12, 2008, a 8.0 magnitude earthquake earthquake occurred in Wenchuan County which has caused a severe damage
• On 8th August 2017, another 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Jiuzhai gou valley

The 14 counties of ATQAP

–World Natural Heritage of UNESCO–

–Airports in Aba Tibetan Qiang Prefecture–

–Find out Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture–