Motuo, A Secret Place in Tibet with Tropical Rain Forests like Xishuangbanna of Yunnan

In the impression of many mainland China people, whenever you mention Tibet, people think of snow-capped mountains, grasslands, cattle and sheep, and altitude sickness. However, in this Chinese province which is generally considered to have a harsh climate, there is a place with a climate similar to that of Xishuangbanna, Yunnan. This place is Motuo County in Nyingchi Prefecture, Tibet.

The Big Turn of Medog

Motuo County (Medog) is located in the southeast of Tibet, on the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River, with an average elevation of 1,200 meters and a minimum elevation of 115 meters. The area is 31394.67 square kilometers, the arable land area is 20,000 mu, and the forest area is 32 million mu. As of 2011, Medog County has jurisdiction over 1 town, 7 townships (including 1 ethnic township), and 60 villages. The residents in the territory are mainly Monba and Loba. The main section of the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon is in the county.

Medog County belongs to the subtropical humid climate zone on the eastern side of the Himalayas, with tropical rain forests. This is the place with the lowest altitude and the best environment on the Tibetan Plateau. It is also the place with the mildest, most abundant rainfall and the best ecological preservation in Tibet. Compared with other areas in Tibet, Medog County is like spring all year round and the weather conditions are good. There are more than 3000 kinds of higher plants in the territory, about 10 kinds of bamboo plants, and 80 kinds of wild orchid plants.

There are also tropical rain forests with orchids and many kinds of bamboos. How different is this from Xishuangbanna! In fact, due to the altitude, the Nyingchi area of Tibet has a relatively mild climate compared to other areas of Tibet, so it is known as the South of the Yangtze River, while Medog is warmer than other parts of Nyingchi. Medog produces bananas, oranges, lemons and other tropical and subtropical fruits locally. But it is such a good place with mild climate and abundant resources, but not many people know it. The fundamental reason why Medog is hidden in the mountains is the barrier of the mountain. This mountain is called Doxiongla Mountain, which is a barrier for Medog to enter the mainland. While blocking the connection between Medog and the mainland, it also blocks the cold air from north to the south, making Medog a special climate.

Medog Bananas

Before the Pai-Mo Highway (road from Pai Town to Medog in Milin County) was opened to traffic at the end of 2013, the 4,200-meter-high Doxiongla Pass was the only way for people to go to Medog. There is snow all year round and the air is thin. Therefore, people in Medog tried not to go out of Medog, and people from the mainland tried not to travel to Medog. It used to be the last county in China with no access and no mail. Before the road was completed, in order to solve the food problem, the local garrison could only carry forward the spirit of Nanniwan and plant rice in Medog. In 2010, the Galongla Snow Mountain Tunnel of Pai-Mo Highway was opened. On October 30, 2013, Medog Highway was declared open to traffic. Medog ended its history of no access and no mail. Now Medog has roads. After enjoying the majestic snow-capped mountains in northern Tibet, people traveling to Tibet can go all the way south to Medog to appreciate the subtropical scenery there and taste the bananas and oranges produced in Tibet.