Tongren (; ), known to Tibetans as Rebgong (, )"China Adds to Security Forces in Tibet Amid Calls for a Boycott" article by Edward Wong in The New York Times Feb. 18, 2009, accessed October 21, 2010 in the historic region of Amdo, is the capital and second smallest administrative subdivision by area within Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai, China.
The city has an area of 3465 square kilometers and a population of ~80,000 (2002), 75% Tibetan. The economy of the city includes agriculture and aluminium mining.
Administrative divisions Tongren is made up of 3 towns and 8 townships:
Name Simplified Chinese Hanyu Pinyin Tibetan Wylie Administrative division codeTowns Longwu Town(Rongwo Town) 632301100 Bao'an Town(Tokya Town) 632301101 Dowa Town 632301102Townships Lancai Township(Loinqê Township) 632301200 Shuangpengxi Township(Xo'ongjê Township) 632301201 Zainmo Township(Zhamao Township) 632301202 Hornag Township(Huangnaihai Township) 632301203 Qokog Township(Qukuhu Township) 632301204 Nyaintog Township(Nianduhu Township) 632301205 Garzê Township(Guashize Township) 632301206 Gyaiwo Township(Jiawu Township) 632301207
Demographics and languages The Amdo Tibetan is the lingua franca of Tongren and the surrounding region, which is populated by Tibetan and Hui people, as well as some Han Chinese and Mongols.
The Wutun language, a Chinese-Bonan-Tibetan mixed language, is spoken by some 2,000 people in the two villages of Upper and Lower Wutun, located on the eastern bank of the Rongwo River.
Culture The city has a number of Tibetan Buddhist temples and gompas, including the large and significant Rongwo Monastery of the Gelug school. It is known as a center of thangka painting. Regong arts were named on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists in 2009.
In October 2010 there were reports of large demonstrations in Tongren by Tibetan students who reportedly shouted the slogans, “equality of ethnic groups” and “freedom of language.""China: Tibetan Students March To Protest Education Policies" article by Edward Wong in The New York Times October 21, 2010, accessed October 21, 2010
Climate Tongren has a highland humid continental climate (Köppen Dwb).
See also List of administrative divisions of Qinghai
References
External links
A Century in Rebkong, Amdo, an Amdo primer Video about Tongren - the city of Tongren and its most important monasteries with famous Buddhist art schools for Thangka painting Travel Videos from mickspatz at www.spatz-darmstadt.de - travel videos about Buddhist Monasteries and Tibetan Art of the Tongren-Rebkong valley and Xiahe Videos about a great festival in Tongren-Rebkong, July 2006 By Italian writer Mario Biondi, in Italian Photographs of Tongren/Repkong Shaman Festival