| Xiahe County | |
| Native Name: | Chinese: 夏河县 · |
| Other Name: | Sangqu |
| Postal Code: | 747100 |
| Postal Code Type: | Postal code |
| Settlement Type: | County |
| Pushpin Map: | Gansu#China |
| Pushpin Label: | Xiahe |
| Coor Pinpoint: | Xiahe County government |
| Coordinates: | 35.2°N 102.5175°W |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | China |
| Subdivision Type1: | Province |
| Subdivision Name1: | Gansu |
| Subdivision Type2: | Autonomous prefecture |
| Subdivision Name2: | Gannan |
| Seat Type: | County seat |
| Seat: | Labrang |
| Area Total Km2: | 6274 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Population Total: | 86355 |
| Population Footnotes: | [1] |
| Timezone: | China Standard |
| Utc Offset: | +8 |
| Order: | st |
| S: | 夏河县 |
| T: | 夏河縣 |
| P: | Xiàhé Xiàn |
| Wylie: | bsang chu rdzong |
| Zwpy: | Sangchu Zong |
Xiahe County (;) is a county in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu province, China, bordering Qinghai province to the west. The name (both Chinese and Tibetan), which literally means "Xia River", refers to the Daxia River which runs through the county. It is home to the famed Labrang Tibetan Buddhist monastery, one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries outside the Tibet Autonomous Region. The town is populated largely by ethnic Tibetans, as well as some Hui and Han Chinese. The area is highly rural and pastoral (including yak and other animal rearing). The geography is mountainous. In recent years it has become a tourist attraction. The county was named Xiahe in 1928, after the Daxia River that flows through its territory.
Xiahe (Sangqu) used to be part of Qinghai when it was under the control of Chinese Muslim General Ma Qi.[2] It was the site of bloody battles between Muslim and Tibetan forces.[3] [4] [5]
In 1980, Xiahe mandible, a hominin fossil jaw, was discovered in Baishiya Karst Cave, Xiahe County.
Xiahe (Sangqu) is found in the southern portion of Gansu province, along the western border with Qinghai province. It lies along the Daxia and Zhao rivers. It is on the northeast edge of the Tibetan Plateau. The average elevation is with the highest being and the lowest .
Xiahe County has an alpine subarctic climate (Köppen Dwc) that grades into an alpine climate (ETH) at the highest elevations. The climate is characterised by mild, rainy summers and frigid, but dry and sunny, winters.
Xiahe County is divided to 8 towns and 5 townships.[6]
| Name | Simplified Chinese | Hanyu Pinyin | Tibetan | Wylie | Administrative division code | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Towns | ||||||
| Labrang Town (Lazhang, Labuleng) | Chinese: 拉卜楞镇 | 623027100 | ||||
| Panggurtang Town (Wangge'ertang) | Chinese: 王格尔塘镇 | 623027101 | ||||
| Amqog Town (Amuquhu) | Chinese: 阿木去乎镇 | 623027102 | ||||
| Sangkog Town (Sangke) | Chinese: 桑科镇 | 623027103 | ||||
| Gain'gya Town (Ganjia) | Chinese: 甘加镇 | 623027104 | ||||
| Martang Town (Madang) | Chinese: 麻当镇 | 623027105 | ||||
| Bora Town (Bola) | Chinese: 博拉镇 | 623027106 | ||||
| Kocê Town (Kecai) | Chinese: 科才镇 | 623027107 | ||||
| Townships | ||||||
| Damê Township (Damai) | Chinese: 达麦乡 | 623027202 | ||||
| Qu'ngoin Township (Qu'ao) | Chinese: 曲奥乡 | 623027204 | ||||
| Tanggarnang Township (Tangga'ang) | Chinese: 唐尕昂乡 | 623027205 | ||||
| Jayü Township (Zhayou) | Chinese: 扎油乡 | 623027206 | ||||
| Gyicang Township (Jicang) | Chinese: 吉仓乡 | 623027208 | ||||