The Yarlung Tsangpo, located in southern Tibet, is the longest plateau river in World. The ancient Tibetan name "Yangchab Tsangpo" means "water flowing down from the highest peak." Also known as "Tsangpo,"
The Yarlung Tsangpo River originates from the Jeema Yangzom Glacier in the northern foothills of the Himalayas and flows to the Drongba section, where it is called Dangqu Zangbu. It is also known as Tachok Tsangpo. From there, it is referred to as the Yarlung Tsangpo River. Flowing west to east, it receives tributaries like the Nagqu Zangbu, Nianchu, Lhasa, and Niangyang Rivers. Eventually, it enters India and is called the Brahmaputra River.
From a geographical perspective, the Yarlung Tsangpo River has the following divisions:
The Origin Jiema Yangzong Chu to Lizi, Drongba is located in the upper reaches of the river, with an elevation ranging from 4530 to 5590 meters. The climate is extremely cold and seldom visited, with an average annual temperature below 0℃. However, during the months of June to September, the mountains are adorned with lush green grass and blooming flowers. The river water is clear, and the sky and water blend harmoniously, creating an indescribable natural charm with the presence of various birds and animals.
The upper reach of the Yarlung Tsangpo River spans 268 kilometers, which constitutes 13% of its total length. It descends 1190 meters and maintains an average slope of 4.4 Additionally, it governs a watershed area of 26,570 square kilometers. The river valley is expansive, measuring between 1000 and 2000 meters in width, and features a tranquil current, multiple branches, sandbars, marshes, and lakes, creating a "braided" water system. At times, the river glistens, while other times it flows gently, resembling a string of vibrant pearls. The river water possesses remarkable clarity and brilliance, with ripples extending across vast expanses. In the presence of a high sky and radiant sun, it presents an extraordinary spectacle.
From Lizi to Mainling Town, there is a middle section spanning 1293 kilometers. The drop is 1520 meters, with an average slope of 1.2, and a controlled drainage area of 163951 square kilometers. As the water volume increases, the river's erosive impact intensifies. The valley alternates between wide and narrow sections. The wider parts give rise to river valley plains, while the narrower sections are a mere few hundred meters or even less than 100 meters, resembling a "V" shape. In the wider valley, the water flows gently, creating a serene and undulating scene. In contrast, the water rushes and rages in the narrow valley, with the river surging.
Above the Lhatse River, the banks are mainly covered in alpine grassland. From Lhatse to Gyatsa, the vegetation consists of temperate grassland, deciduous shrubs, and sporadic cypress forests along the banks. Moving further from Gyatsa to Mainling, there is a river valley forest area with a semi-humid climate, and below Mainling lies a subalpine dark coniferous forest. The towering peaks on either side contribute to the breathtaking landscape of majestic cliffs.
The downstream section from Mainling Pai Village to Baxika spans 496 kilometers in the high mountain gorge area. It descends 2725 meters with an average slope of 5.5‰ and governs a drainage area of approximately 49960 square kilometers. Once it reaches Mainling Pai village, the river flows northeast, causing the valley to rapidly narrow and create the renowned "Yarlung Tsangpo Grand Canyon," also referred to as the "world's largest canyon."
The water flows through a meandering river, rushing through valleys with powerful waves, displaying a force that stretches for miles. The cliffs on both sides of the river are exceptionally steep, with towering cliffs and jumbled rocks. The landscape changes from subtropical forests near the riverbank to subalpine dark coniferous forests, then to alpine shrubs, and finally to the snow line and glaciers. Below Methok, the river section presents a typical mountainous tropical rainforest landscape, which is magnificent.
The Yarlung Tsangpo River flows through 23 counties and the Lhoka region, including Zhongba, Saga, Naidong, and Milin, covering a length of 2,057 kilometers within Tibet (with a total length of 2,900 kilometers). The basin area measures 240,480 square kilometers, with an annual runoff of 139.5 billion cubic meters. With an average elevation of over 4,500 meters, it is the highest river in the world and a vital passage for the warm and humid airflow from the Indian Ocean into Tibet. Along the river basin, there are numerous cultural and natural landscapes.
Tips
The Yarlung Zangbo River has three sources: the Mayumu Tsangpo in the southern foot of the Gangdese Mountains, the Jemayangzong qu of the Jemayangzong Glacier in the northern foot of the Himalayas, and the Kubi qu of the Asejiaguo Glacier also in the northern foot of the Himalayas. The Jemayang Zongqu is regarded as the origin of the Brahmaputra River, while the Kubiqu and Mayoumuzangbu are its tributaries. The river spans 2,057 kilometers, with a watershed area of 1,011 square kilometers and a flow rate of 21.7 cubic meters per second.
2 In the Brahmaputra River valley, there are Mapangbumo Castle, Seri Bamboo Castle, etc., are important castles and political, economic, cultural and military prosperity area of Xiangxiong civilization, so far in these sites can still glimpse traces of the prosperity of Xiangxiong civilization. It has played an important role not only in the formation, formation and development of Tibet's civilizations in different periods and regions.
(3) more than 30 kilometers from Xigaze city, there is "Black neck Crane Nature Reserve in the middle and upper reaches of Yajiang River". The protected area is dominated by river beaches, with alpine poplar, willow trees, seabuckthorn and so on. Every winter, there are about 2000 ~ 4000 black-necked cranes living along the Yajiang River. They feed on the roots and buds of green plants, and eat molluscs, insects, frogs, fish and so on.
4 In the middle reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River in Shannan, there is a "Ya River Shelter Forest Scenic Area." Also known as "Yajiang Green Corridor," is the largest desertification shelter forest in Tibet, about 80 kilometers long, extending eastward along the river, distributed on the river bed dunes in the south of the Yajiang River, is the only artificial forest scenic spot in Tibet, people called "natural oxygen bar," the natural scenery is beautiful.
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