Explore Nyingchi Zayü County: A Hidden Jewel of Natural Beauty

Zayü County: A Hidden Land in Southeastern Tibet

Zayü County, known in Tibetan as རྫ་ཡུལ་རྫོང་། (the land of the Zayü people), lies in the far southeastern corner of Tibet. Remote, lush, and culturally diverse, Zayü is a region where mountains, forests, and ethnic traditions come together, offering a lesser-known but fascinating side of Tibet.

Location and Administrative Overview

Zayü County (察隅县), with postal code 855100 and area code 0894, is located within the Beri Mountain range. It stretches between 27.7°N–29.6°N latitude and 95.7°E–98.7°E longitude. The county borders Gongbo’gyamda to the west, Baxoi and Deqin (Yunnan) to the east, Bomi and Baqên to the north, and shares a long southern border with Myanmar and India, totaling over 588 kilometers.

Historically linked to the Tubo Empire, Zayü officially became a county in May 1966. Today, it covers 31,659 square kilometers and is made up of 3 towns and 3 townships. The county seat is Zhowagen Town, located 397 km from Banda Airport, 537 km from Nyingchi, and 960 km from Lhasa.

Population and Ethnic Diversity

As of November 1, 2020, Zayü had a population of 28,237, made up of many ethnic groups, including Tibetans, Han, Hui, Miao, Nu, Naxi, Derung, Lhoba, Monba, and Teng. This diversity gives Zayü a rich cultural fabric rarely found in other parts of Tibet.

Zayü was officially lifted out of poverty in February 2019. In November 2020, it was named one of “China’s Most Beautiful Counties,” and in February 2024, it received the title “China’s Natural Oxygen Bar” from the China Meteorological Administration.

Administrative divisions of Zayü

Zayul County has administration over three towns and three townships:

Terrain and Natural Landscape

Zayü’s terrain is dramatic and varied, with elevations ranging from 1,400 meters in river valleys to peaks exceeding 5,000 meters. The average elevation is around 2,800 meters. Nearby snow-covered giants include Meili Snow Mountain, rising to 6,740 meters, adding to the county’s striking alpine scenery.

Dense forests, deep valleys, and river systems shape the landscape, giving Zayü its reputation as one of the greenest regions in Tibet.

Climate Characteristics of Zayü

Zayü lies within the subtropical humid climate zone of the Himalayan foothills. The weather is generally mild, with abundant rainfall and long frost-free periods. Annual sunshine averages 1,615.6 hours, rainfall reaches 793.9 mm, and there are more than 200 frost-free days each year. The average annual temperature is a pleasant 11.8°C.

Despite its favorable climate, Zayü is vulnerable to natural challenges such as earthquakes, floods, landslides, droughts, and pest outbreaks, highlighting both the beauty and fragility of the region.

Zayü County’s Specialty Products and Natural Wealth

Often called the “Little Jiangnan of Tibet,” Zayü benefits from warm, humid conditions and evergreen scenery. Agriculture is the county’s economic backbone, supported by forestry and natural resource development.

Agricultural and Livestock Products

Zayü produces a wide range of crops, including highland barley, wheat, rice, corn, rapeseed, and peanuts. Livestock farming includes yaks, buffalo, sheep, and goats, reflecting a mixed agricultural system adapted to local conditions.

Forest, Mineral, and Handicraft Resources

The county holds an estimated 115 million cubic meters of forest stock, along with mineral resources such as silver, lead, iron, copper, zinc, antimony, and mica. Traditional handicrafts include Tibetan wooden bowls, wooden boxes, bamboo-woven containers, and wooden saddles, all reflecting local craftsmanship.

Wildlife and Medicinal Herbs

Zayü is home to rare wildlife such as red pandas, macaques, otters, brown bears, and Sumatran serows. The forests also yield valuable medicinal materials, including deer antler, musk, gastrodia elata, fritillaria, notoginseng, picrorhiza, eight-angled lotus, and Hericium erinaceus, making the region important for traditional Tibetan medicine.

Specialty of Zayü County in Nyingchi

Located in southeastern Nyingchi, Zayü County is known for its rich biodiversity and rare wildlife. Its dense forests, rivers, and high-altitude ecosystems support several unique animal species that reflect the region’s natural abundance and traditional knowledge.

Red Panda: The Forest Jewel

The red panda, also called the “Firefox” or “Lesser Panda,” is one of Zayü’s most iconic species. Slightly larger than a domestic cat, it has a body length of 50–60 cm and a thick tail measuring 40–50 cm. With a round face, short limbs, and deep red fur on the upper body, the red panda lives in high-altitude forests and bamboo thickets.

Its diet includes bamboo shoots, leaves, roots, fruits, and occasionally small birds and eggs. As a rare species dating back to the Tertiary period, the red panda is often described as a living fossil and symbolizes Zayü’s fragile yet precious ecosystem.

Otter: The “Water Cat” of Tibet

Known locally as the “water cat,” the otter is a semi-aquatic mammal from the Mustelidae family. It measures 60–75 cm in length and weighs 2–5 kg. Otters have flat tails, webbed feet, small ears, and dense dark-brown fur that allows them to swim with ease.

Primarily nocturnal, otters feed on fish, frogs, crabs, and waterfowl. Their fur has traditionally been used for coats and hats. In Tibetan medicine, otter liver is valued for its high protein and glucose content and is believed to support various health treatments. When raised from a young age, otters have even been used to assist with fishing.

Sumatran Serow: The Mountain Climber

The Sumatran serow, often called the “mountain goat,” is a sturdy bovine species found in Zayü’s steep terrain. It has a body length of 1.4–1.7 meters and a shoulder height of about 1.1 meters. Its coarse, dark fur helps it adapt to cold and rugged environments.

Renowned for its agility, the serow moves easily across cliffs and rocky slopes. It feeds on grass, tender leaves, and mushrooms. In traditional medicine, its antlers are used to help treat convulsions, headaches, and fever.

Travel and Transportation in Zayü County

Zayü plays an important role in the Shangri-La Ecotourism Circle, sitting along the new Yunnan–Tibet passage and the Sichuan–Yunnan–Tibet transportation loop. Its improving road network has made this once-remote county more accessible.

Road Connections

Zayü is linked to the Sichuan–Tibet Highway through a dedicated access road. The Dongga Highway runs west to Bayi Town and onward to Lhasa, while also connecting north to Chamdo and Chengdu. Southbound routes link to Yunnan via the Yunnan–Tibet Highway and further to Kunming.

In September 2020, new passenger bus routes to Upper Zayü and Lower Zayü officially opened, filling a long-standing gap in local transportation.

Practical Travel Tips

• Getting There: The journey from Bayi Town in Nyingchi to Zayü is about 537 kilometers, mostly on asphalt roads. Regular buses operate along this route.
• Seasonal Caution: During the rainy season, landslides and mudslides may occur, so flexible travel plans are recommended.
• Local Life: Zayü’s county town is lively, with shops, small restaurants, and barbecue stalls. A local specialty worth trying is the Teng people’s hand-grabbed rice.
• Border Permit: As a border county, visitors must obtain a border permit from local public security authorities before traveling.

Nyingchi Zayü Nature Reserve

The Zayü Nature Reserve is one of the county’s key attractions, protecting vast forest areas and diverse wildlife habitats. With its untouched landscapes, it offers excellent opportunities for hiking, wildlife observation, and nature photography, making it a highlight for eco-tourism in southeastern Tibet.