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Content provided by :  China Knowledge
   
29 Aug 2011
Lhoka Prefecture ( Tibet ) City Information

Major Economic Indicators (2010)

Land Area (km2) 79,699
Population (million) 0.34
GDP (RMB billion) 4 (2008)
GDP Composition
Primary Industry 8.2% (2008)
Secondary Industry
(Industry & Contruction)		 42.3% (2008)
Tertiary Industry (Service) 49.5% (2008)
GDP Per Capita (RMB) 11,765 (2008)
Unemployment Rate 4.3%
Fixed Asset Investment (RMB billion) 3.3 (2008)
Utilized FDI (USD million) N.A.
Total Import & Export (USD million) N.A.
Export (USD million) N.A.
Import (USD million) N.A.
Sales of Consumer Goods (RMB billion) N.A.
Source Source: Tibet Statistic Yearbook 2009

   

 
Introduction
 
Lhoka Prefecture is located in the southern part of Tibetan Autonomous Region, in the middle-lower reach of Brahmaputra River, bordering Lhasa, the capital city of Tibet, to the north, and Bhutan and India to the south. It covers an area of 79,700 sq km and has an average altitude of 3,700 meters. There are 14 ethnic groups, including Tibetans, the Han, the Menba, and the Luoba, living in the area. The population of the city amounted to 0.34 million by the end of 2009. Tibetans account for 96% of Lhoka's total population.

Lhoka is a typical southern Tibetan valley.  It has short a cool summer and a long dry and windy winter. The temperature difference between day and night is very large. The average temperature is 7.4-8.9°C, while the average annual precipitation totals 300-400 mm. Approximately 90% of the rainfall is in the period from June to September.

Lhoka is rich in water and mineral resources. Brahmaputra River, which is appraised as the mother river of the Tibetan people, and 41 other rivers run through the city. Theoretical reserves of hydro-energy amount to 35.1 million kw. Currently, Lhoka is using only 18,300 kw. In addition, mineral resources such as chromium, gold, copper, iron, antimony, lead, zinc, manganese, mica, crystal, jade and marble are abundant. Proven reserves of chromium amount to 5 million tons, accounting for approximately 35%-45% of China's total, ranking first throughout the country.

Transportation in Lhoka is very convenient and mainly relies on highways and airlines. It is 200 km from Lhoka to Lhasa. There are buses running between the two cities every day. In addition, Gongga Airport, located in Gongga county of Lhoka, is only 65 km from Lhasa. It is the largest airport in Tibet in terms of freight and passenger throughput and operates scheduled flights to domestic cities such as Beijing, the capital of China, Chengdu, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Xi'an, and Kunming. In addition, there are also international flights to Katmandu, the capital city of Nepal.
 
Economic Features
 
Lhoka realized GDP of RMB 4 billion in 2008, 14 times the figure in 1990. The city's GDP accounted for approximately 10.1% of Tibet's total and ranked fifth in the autonomous region.

The agricultural sector, the smallest contributor to the city’s economy, generated value-added output of RMB 326 million in 2009, accounting for 8.2% of the city's GDP.

In 2008, secondary industry (industry and construction) realized value-added industrial output of RMB 1.7 billion, accounting for 42.3% of the prefecture’s total. The gross industrial output with designated size and above hit RMB 668 million.

During 1959-2008, Lhoka accumulatively invested RMB 19.3 billion in fixed-asset investment. In 2008 alone, the region's fixed-asset investment exceeded RMB 3.3 billion. During the period of 2003 to 2008, Lohka attracted over 160 enterprises to invest there.

The service sector, the largest contributor of Shangnan's economy, generated value-added output of RMB 2 billion, accounting for 49.5% of the prefecture’s total GDP in 2008. 
 
Cultural Highlights
 
Lhoka is an important birthplace of Tibetan culture, which is the dominant culture in the city. Tibetans account for 96% of the prefecture’s total population.

Two of the most important dynasties in Tibet, namely Tubo Dynasty and Pazhu Dynasty, rose from Lhoka. Songtsen Gampo, a national hero in the Tang Dynasty, re-unified the whole Tibet Autonomous Region from Lhoka. In 641 A.D., he married Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty. There are a lot of legends and stories about the romantic marriage.
 
Tourist Attraction
 
Lhoka has natural beauty and a charming cultural heritage. Heliu River Scenery Area, covering an area of 920 sq km, is the only state-level scenery area in Tibet, and covers parts of eight counties in Lhoka.

Tourists should see the Yalong River, the Wenqu River and the Woka River, as well as Lamunacuo Lake, which is appraised as holy lake of Tibet, and the grassland pearl, Zhegu Lake. Various karst caves, the Zuoluoka Hot Spring, which is for the exclusive use of local religious leaders, are also really must-go tourist attractions.

Historically, the craftworks of Lhoka were made for the exclusive use of royal and noble families. The beautiful jade ware of Qiongjie County, handcrafted wooden bowls, and knitted products of Zhanang County are now excellent souvenirs for tourists from home and abroad.

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