Sangdui Town in Daocheng County, Garze
Overview
Sangdui Town (桑堆镇) is located in the northwest of Daocheng County (稻城县), which is part of the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture (甘孜藏族自治州) in Sichuan Province (四川省). It borders Jinzhuzhen (金珠镇) to the east, Banghe Township (傍河乡) to the south, and is flanked by unnamed mountain ridges to the west, with Haizishan (海子山) to the north. The town covers an area of 1,152 square kilometers and had a registered population of 2,812 by the end of 2019.
Historical Development
- Early Republic Period: Sangdui Town was part of the Dao Ba (稻坝) administrative region.
- 1958: Established as Sangdui Township.
- 1975: Township was transformed into a commune.
- 1984: The commune reverted to a township, under the jurisdiction of Dao Ba District.
- 1992: Directly governed by the county committee and government.
- 1999: Became part of the Dao Ba Work Committee.
Administrative Structure
As of the end of 2011, Sangdui Town includes 10 administrative villages:
- Sangdui No. 1 Village (桑堆一村)
- Sangdui No. 2 Village (桑堆二村)
- Sangdui No. 3 Village (桑堆三村)
- Sangdui No. 4 Village (桑堆四村)
- Suochong No. 1 Village (所冲一村)
- Suochong No. 2 Village (所冲二村)
- Suochong No. 3 Village (所冲三村)
- Jiyi No. 1 Village (吉乙一村)
- Jiyi No. 2 Village (吉乙二村)
- Jiyi No. 3 Village (吉乙三村)
Geographic Environment
Location
Sangdui Town is situated in the northwestern part of Daocheng County, covering a total area of 1,152 square kilometers.
Terrain
The town lies at the southwestern foot of Haizishan, characterized by a fault basin with an average elevation of 3,943 meters.
Climate
Sangdui Town has a plateau monsoon climate, with an average annual temperature of 3.6°C.
Hydrology
The Daocheng River (稻城河) and its tributaries run through the entire area.
Natural Disasters
The main natural disasters affecting Sangdui Town include droughts, frosts, hail, and heavy snowfall.
Natural Resources
Sangdui Town is rich in valuable medicinal herbs such as caterpillar fungus, fritillaria, deer antler, musk, and astragalus. By 2011, the arable land area was 2,568 acres.
Population
As of the end of 2011, the town had a total population of 2,643, comprising ethnic groups including Tibetans and Han Chinese. By the end of 2019, the registered population was 2,812.
Transportation
By 2011, Sangdui Town was connected by the Litang (理塘) highway and the Sangdui (桑堆) to Daocheng (稻城) highway. There is a complete network of village roads.
How to Get There
To reach Sangdui Town, you can fly into Daocheng Yading Airport (稻城亚丁机场) and take a taxi or local bus. The town is accessible via the main roads from Daocheng, which is approximately 28 kilometers away.
Travel Tips
- Best Time to Visit: The optimal time to see the Red Grassland is from September 15 to November 10 each year.
- Entry Fees: Visiting the Red Grassland does not have an entry fee; however, there is a parking fee of 10 yuan.
- Accommodation: Since Sangdui is primarily a scenic spot, it is advisable to stay in Daocheng County for better lodging options. Various attractions like Zunsheng Pagoda Forest (尊胜塔林) and Haizishan are nearby, making it convenient for sightseeing.
Cultural Heritage
Name Origin
The name “Sangdui” comes from Tibetan, meaning “gathering of gullies,” due to its location on the floodplain where gullies converge.
Scenic Attractions
One notable site is the Hongcaotan (红草滩) or Red Grassland, located about 28 kilometers north of Daocheng County, near Ji Yi Village (吉依村). This wetland, roughly the size of a football field, becomes vibrant with red grasses around late September to early October, creating a stunning visual reminiscent of a fiery landscape.
Red Grassland Overview
- Elevation: 3,943 meters.
- Best Viewing Time: September 15 to November 10.
- Accessibility: Clear signage along the road guides visitors to the grassland, and parking is available nearby.
Overall, if you visit during the right season, the Sangdui Red Grassland is a breathtaking sight, offering a glimpse of nature’s splendor in a unique landscape.
