Friends, have you ever thought that in the southern foothills of the Himalayas, there is a land full of mysteries?
There are beautiful mountains and rivers, pleasant climate, known as "Saiwai Jiangnan", this is what we are going to talk about today - southern Tibet.
Where is southern Tibet?
It is located in the southern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region, including most of the four counties of Cuona, Longzi, Metuo and Chayu, as well as Lang and Milin counties, covering an area of more than 90,000 square kilometers, which is equivalent to the size of three Hainan islands.
Imagine that the sunny beaches and coconut groves of Hainan Island are in southern Tibet, but they complement each other with the majestic snow-capped mountains and rushing rivers, forming a beautiful picture.
The terrain of southern Tibet is very complex, from snowy peaks at an altitude of more than 5,000 meters to river valleys at an altitude of only 80 meters, forming a huge drop.
It is precisely because of this difference that the climate here is unique.
There are high mountains covered with snow all year round, as well as warm and humid subtropical and tropical monsoon climate zones.
Abundant water resources nourish the lush vegetation, and the forest coverage rate is as high as 90%, and a variety of rare animals and plants thrive here.
You may be curious, why is southern Tibet called "Saiwai Jiangnan"?
"Saiwai" refers to the area beyond the Great Wall, which usually gives the impression of being desolate and cold.
And "Jiangnan" represents the water town of Zeguo, with mild climate and beautiful scenery.
Southern Tibet is a blend of these two very different scenes.
It is located in the southern foothills of the Himalayas, blocking the cold current from the north, forming a warm and humid climate, as gentle as the south of the Yangtze River; At the same time, it has majestic peaks and vast forests, showing the grandeur of the outside of the plug.
However, this beautiful land is shrouded in the shadow of history.
In 1914, taking advantage of China's civil unrest, the British and Indian authorities concocted the so-called "Simla Treaty" in an attempt to transfer about 90,000 square kilometers of land in southern Tibet to India.
The Beiyang government at that time was resolutely opposed, but the British and Indian authorities insisted on going their own way, forcibly pushing the border more than 100 kilometers north to the Himalayan ridge, an illegal line known as the "McMahon Line".
In 1962, in order to defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, China launched a self-defense counterattack.
The Chinese army won the victory in just 32 days, and then voluntarily withdrew to the Line of Actual Control, a situation that has remained in place to this day.
China's sovereignty over southern Tibet has a full historical and legal basis.
In recent years, China's Ministry of Civil Affairs has added 15 place names in southern Tibet, sending a clear signal to the international community that China's determination to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity is unwavering.
Walking through the land of southern Tibet, you will be captivated by the unique charm of this place.
The Brahmaputra River is constantly rushing, nourishing the land on both sides; Nanga Bhava Peak stands majestically and guards this pure land; In the dense forest, a variety of rare animals and plants coexist in harmony, forming a vibrant scene.
Southern Tibet not only has beautiful natural scenery, but also rich cultural heritage.
It is inhabited by ethnic minorities such as the Menba and Lhoba ethnic groups, who retain their unique cultural traditions and living customs, adding more humanistic colors to this land.
The future of southern Tibet is promising.
With the continuous improvement of the transportation infrastructure, more and more tourists will have the opportunity to come here and experience the unique charm of this land.
It is believed that in the near future, southern Tibet will be presented to the world with a better attitude.
This trip to southern Tibet, although it is only on paper, made me full of yearning for this land.
I hope that one day, I will be able to set foot on this magical land and feel its beauty and tranquility.