Langmusi Explained

Langmusi
Native Name:郎木寺
Native Name Lang:zho
Settlement Type:Town
Pushpin Map:China#China Gansu
Pushpin Label Position:left
Pushpin Map Caption:Location in China
Coordinates:34.0914°N 102.6364°W
Population Total:4000
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:China
Subdivision Type1:Province
Subdivision Name1:Gansu
Subdivision Type2:Prefecture
Subdivision Name2:Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture
Subdivision Type3:County
Subdivision Name3:Luqu County
Named For:Langmu Temple
Elevation M:3325
Timezone:China Standard
Utc Offset:+8

Langmusi Town (;) is a small alpine town on the eastern edge of the Tibetan Plateau, nestled in a valley shared between Gansu and Sichuan provinces in China and straddled by two large monastery complexes. Administratively, the town is part of Luqu County in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Gansu, although a small portion of the town in the south is actually located in Zoigê County, Ngawa Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan. The town is commonly visited by tourists making the overland trip between Sichuan and Gansu. Inhabitants of the town are primarily Tibetan.[1]

History

The town emerged around the Tibetan Buddhist temple, Langmu Temple which was founded in 1748.[2] [3] At the time, Langmusi was located in the southern portion of the Amdo region of historical Tibet during Qing Dynasty rule.

Geography

Langmusi is located at the headwaters of the Bailong River which eventually flows into the Yangtze at Chongqing. To the east of Langmusi are the Min Mountains which form the easternmost edge of the Tibetan Plateau. West of Langmusi are the Xiqing Mountains. The mountains directly south of Langmusi form the divide between the Yangtze and Yellow River basins. Beyond these mountains are the expansive Zoigê Wetlands which drain into the Yellow River.[4]

Tourism

Langmusi is a popular destination for domestic tourists and is accessible via Highway 213 which passes 3 km to the north of the town.[5] The nearest airport is Gannan Xiahe Airport, 125 km north.

In the southern (Sichuan) portion of the town is the Kirti Monastery. The northern (Gansu) portion of the town is dominated by the Sertri Monastery. Both monasteries are popular with tourists but only the Kirti Monastery charges an admission fee. South of the Kirti Monastery is Namo Gorge and its caves which are common destinations for hiking. In the surrounding countryside, multi-day horseback riding trips are available to tourists that may overnight with Tibetan nomads.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Lobsang བློ་བཟང་. Langmusi. The Land of Snows. 19 April 2017. February 21, 2014.
  2. Web site: stag tshang lha mo dgon, TBRC Resource ID G3278. Buddhist Digital Resource Center. 2017-10-05. (also called: stag tshang lha mo dgon, lha mo dgon, stag tshang lha mo gser khri dgon, dga' ldan bshad sgrub pad dkar grol ba'i gling, stag tshang lha mo gse khri dgon dga' ldan bshad sgrub pad dkar grol ba'i gling, 郎木寺, 噶丹雪珠贝噶卓卫林, langmu si).
  3. News: Kirti Namgyel Dechen Ling. The Treasury of Lives. 2017-10-05. en.
  4. Book: . Atlas of China . Beijing, China . SinoMaps Press . 2006 . 9787503141782.
  5. Book: . Gansu Sheng Dituce . Beijing, China . Star Map Press . 2012 . 9787547107287.