Bomi County: an Exquisite Mountainous Region in South Tibet Nyingchi first shown on Tour Travel Tibet

Geographic coordinates

Bomi is a county in southeastern Tibet of Nyingchi. It is situated on the east bank of the Brahmaputra River. Bomi (spo-mes) means “ancestor” in Tibetan. The Chinese characters have been translated into Bowo and others. The Bomi dynasty was established here by the ancient Bomi king Kanam Depa. In 1954, Hequzong, Yigong, and Qingdo areas were brought under unified jurisdiction.

The county was established in December 1959 and its government was stationed in Zamu, which is located at an elevation of 2720 meters. In 1964, it came under the jurisdiction of Qamdo Prefecture, and in 1986, it was placed under the jurisdiction of Nyingchi Prefecture. It covers an area of 16,748 square kilometres and has a population of nearly 35,000. Currently, it governs 3 towns (Zamu, Qingdo, and Songzong), 7 townships (Guxiang, Yuxu, Bagai, Duoji, Kangyu, Yupu, and Yigong), as well as 84 administrative villages and 1 neighbourhood committee.

Topography and climate

Bomi County is a mountainous region surrounded by hills and mountains. It is characterized by the Parung Zangbo Valley and the Yigong Zangbo Valley, along with numerous tributaries covering an area of 4550 square kilometres. The terrain gradually rises in the east and descends in the west, with remnants of the Bossula Ridge in the east and branches of the Himalayas in the south. Intermountain basins are found in between. The highest point reaches 6648 meters, the lowest point is at 2000 meters, and the average altitude stands at 4200 meters.

Bomi County has a temperate semi-humid plateau monsoon climate. It is subtropical below 2,700 meters, transitioning to a warm and semi-humid plateau climate between 2,700 and 4,200 meters, and becoming cold and humid above 4,200 meters. The average annual temperature is 8.5 °C, with ample rainfall, 1563 hours of sunshine, a 176-day frost-free period, and an average annual precipitation of 977 mm.

Resources and Local Products

Bomi County is an agricultural county and one of the 11 commercial grain base counties in Tibet. It is also a significant producing area for exporting fungi matsutake and morels. The county has been awarded “National Advanced County for Safety Construction”, “National Advanced County for Culture”, and “National Civilized County”. In October 2018, it was removed from the list of poverty-stricken counties.

Crops in the area include barley, wheat, and peas, while livestock consists of yaks, oxen, and sheep. The county also has various minerals such as copper, iron, tungsten, molybdenum, and placer gold. Additionally, there are famous speciality products like Guxiang honey, Duoji ghee, and Suotong pepper, which have registered trademarks. The region is also known for sumac, walnut, mulberry, apple, and various medicinal plants including Gastrodia Elata, Panax ginseng, Hericium, and Poria. Yi Gong Knives has been renowned since ancient times, and its “Everest Tea” is famous both locally and internationally.

Tips on speciality products

Gastrodia Elata, known as “Red Arrow”, is a saprophytic herb with fleshy tubers. It blooms in summer with yellow flowers and thrives in moist woodland. The tuber is used in Tibetan medicine to treat rheumatism, lower blood pressure, and calm convulsions. It is also effective against conditions like dizziness, hepatitis, headaches, and limb numbness. Additionally, it has sedative, analgesic, and anticonvulsant properties, and can reduce high blood pressure and improve blood flow.

Lacquer tree

It is a deciduous tree, up to 20 meters high, with thick branchlets. Its leaves are odd-pinnate compounds with 7 to 13 leaflets. It blooms in early summer with yellow-green flowers. The main ingredients of natural lacquer are urushiol, laccase, and gum, and it contains various minerals and organic compounds. Raw lacquer is hard, shiny, and resistant to water, friction, and corrosion. The wood is yellow and can be used for joinery. Lacquer wax and oil can be extracted from the fruit and seeds, respectively. Dried lacquer also has medicinal properties, treating various conditions as mentioned in Li Shizhen’s “Compendium of Materia Medica”.

Poria cocos

Poria, also known as “Poria”, is a type of fungus that grows in the roots of alpine pine. Its sclerotia are hard and spherical, with a diameter of 10cm to 30cm. Poria cocos is used as medicine, benefiting the spleen, calming the nerves, and treating various conditions such as diarrhoea and insomnia. According to ancient texts, it can even prolong life. Modern research has shown that Poria cocos contains triterpenes and polysaccharides, including poria polysaccharide, which has been found to inhibit the spread of certain cancer cells.

Yigong Tibetan Sword

Yigong Tibetan Sword, known as “Bodri Gyama” in Tibetan, is made from a combination of three locally developed iron mines. This sword is known for its long, thin, and lightweight design, as well as its sharpness and resistance to rust. It is believed to have protective properties against evil spirits when worn. Previously reserved for the upper class of Bomi, the craftsmanship of Yigong Tibetan knives sets them apart from knives found in other regions. The preservation of these knives is important for the study of Tibetan culture and the value of iron ore. Bomi Yi Gong Tibetan knife-making skills have been recognized as an intangible cultural heritage in the Tibet Autonomous Region, along with other projects such as “Bomi Bacai Wooden Lock Making Technique” and “Bomi Bamboo Weaving Making Technique.”

Bomi Tourism Landscape

Bomi County offers numerous scenic spots, such as 42 glaciers, including China’s most beautiful glacier, Midui Glacier, the largest marine glacier in the country, Kachin Glacier, and the pristine Gangxiang Nature Reserve, known for its stunning virgin forest. Additionally, visitors can explore Parung Zangbo Grand Canyon, the world’s third largest canyon, the picturesque Bomi section of National Highway 318, considered China’s most beautiful landscape avenue, and Yigong National Geopark, Tibet’s first national geological park.

The Galang Palace ruins, Kada ancient human ruins, Qingduo Songnong Sarcophagus, Xumu Moraine Hills, Songzong Armor Mountain, Galong Tianchi, Zhuolonggou Tree Burials, Yigong Farm, Longya Shouting Spring, ancient Xianghu Lake, Duodong Temple, and Red Tower are all majestic, featuring snow peaks, cliffs, waterfalls, strange rocks, and ancient trees.

Popular Tour Routes and Tips

Bomi 6-day tour:

Day 1: Chengdu – Linzhi Airport – Yarlung Zangbo River Scenic Area – Bayi Town;

Day 2: Bayi Town – Giant Berlin – Sejila – Lulang Forest Sea – Bomi;

Day 3: Bomi – Midui Glacier – Ranwu;

Day 4: Ranwu – Songzong Mountain – Bomi;

Day 5: Bomi – Ancient Township – Gangxiang Nature Protection District – Tongmai – Bayi Town;

Day 6: Board the flight to Linzhi Airport and return to Chengdu or transfer to Shannan and Lhasa to continue the in-depth tour.

In Zhuolong Valley, located 6 kilometres from Bomi County, lies the renowned “tree burial” site in Tibet. Over 500 baby corpses are interred there. Visit if time permits. Legend states that Zhuolong, meaning “Holy Land” in Tibetan, is the domain of the god Dorje Pamo. It serves as the sacred space where Dorje Pam exclusively lays to rest deceased infants, with the aspiration that they will flourish like mature trees in their next lives.

“Huxindao Zangjiale” is located 2 kilometres from National Highway 318 and can be easily accessed by car. It is a captivating tourist attraction that combines natural and cultural landscapes, folk culture, and leisure activities. A must-visit destination! The Bear Fighting Festival, held annually on the 15th day of the fifth month according to the Tibetan calendar in Bomi Xiba Village, is also renowned for its significant religious atmosphere. Additionally, there is a tent camp situated 20 kilometres outside of the county where you can enjoy the exhilarating experience of sleeping in the wild while relishing delicious meals. The surrounding natural scenery is truly remarkable.

July to August in Bomi is the rainy season, and landslides often occur on the Sichuan-Tibet Highway. It can be freely passed in other months. Peach blossoms are in full bloom from March to April, and large areas of peach blossoms, rapeseed flowers, and highland barley colour the fields in vibrant shades. This beauty is exhilarating. Before departure, make sure to bring your own hiking boots and ID card. If you enter Chayu or Medog, you will need to apply for a border pass. Dry food, milk powder, and chocolate are necessary, as well as cold and anti-inflammatory medications like berberine and Baifu Ning.

Tourism transportation

The main transportation route in Bomi County is the Sichuan-Tibet Highway 318, stretching over 200 kilometres. Additionally, there are over 140 kilometres of rural roads. It is located 230 kilometres from Bayi Town, the seat of Nyingchi Prefecture, and 636 kilometres from Lhasa, the capital of the autonomous region, to the west. In the east, it is more than 1,500 kilometres away from Chengdu. The highway also provides a connection to Kunming through the Yunnan-Tibet Highway via Mangkang. This forms a transportation network centred around Zhamu Town, extending to Medog, Linzhi, Zayu, Basu, and other counties. It serves as a crucial route for tourists entering Tibet through the Sichuan-Tibet Line and the Yunnan-Tibet Line.

Travel Tips

Transportation: Start by flying to Nyingchi Milin Airport and then take a shuttle bus from Nyingchi Bayi Town to Bomi. Alternatively, you can take a shuttle bus from Chengdu to Bomi or pass through Bomi. Another option is to take a shuttle bus from Lhasa to Qamdo and then to Chengdu, with a stop in Bomi. Lastly, you can take a shuttle bus from Lijiang, Yunnan to Lhasa, passing through Bomi. Bomi serves as a significant hub for the distribution of goods along the Sichuan-Tibet 318 Line, offering a wide range of vehicles and breathtaking scenery throughout the journey.

Catering: Generally, our meals consist of dried beef, tsampa, pancakes, fried cakes, and yoghurt. Local delicacies include Gastrodia stewed chicken, roasted Tibetan pig, cordyceps old duck soup, matsutake and cordyceps pork ribs soup, and wooden fish.

Accommodation: Bomi offers over 40 clean and tidy hotels and restaurants, predominantly Tibetan establishments. These family-run hotels and restaurants boast beautiful surroundings, reasonable prices, and delectable Tibetan cuisine.

Festivals in Bomi

④ Bomi mainly includes horseback riding on the glacier, Songzong Horse Racing Festival, Yigong Rapeseed Flower Festival, Xiba Bear Fighting Festival, Da Da Horse Racing Festival, etc., as well as Guozhuang and Reba Dance with ethnic characteristics. Bomi’s “Bozhuo”, “Boyang”, “Dapo Xiazhuo” and Bomi “Bai” (rap) are autonomous region-level intangible cultural heritage.

Bozhuo is a local song and dance in Bomi. It is performed while singing and dancing. The basic movements include stepping forward, shaking hands, raising legs and jumping, downwind flag, tilting palms, front kicking jump steps, double mountain arms, etc. It is bold, unrestrained and cheerful. warm. Boyang is a song that is sung but not danced. It can be sung by men and women alone or in a duet. It is melodious, pleasant, and relaxed.

Bomi’s tourist souvenirs are Yigong Tibetan knives, wooden bowls, and Tibetan furniture. Local products include gastrodia elata, matsutake mushrooms, ganoderma lucidum, morels, cordyceps, saffron, Hericium erinaceus, and blue fungus. In the summer, Tibetans often sell cordyceps and gastrodia elata by the roadside in the county, allowing people to buy or trade supplies. It’s an excellent opportunity!

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