Lhasa River: Photos, Map & Reviews [2024]

Lhasa River Highlights: Must-See Features and Attractions

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The Lhasa River, called Jiqu in Tibetan, originates from the southern foot of the Nyainqentanglha Mountain, flows southwest through Lhasa City, and then joins the Brahmaputra River in Qushui County. The lower river valley is relatively open and is the main farming area in Tibet. Lhasa River is the mother river of Lhasa City and has a great influence on the development of Lhasa. In 633 AD, after the Tubo monarch Songtsan Gampo unified the Tibetan tribes, he moved the capital to the Lhasa River Valley, and the Lhasa River Basin developed along with it, gradually becoming the central area of economy, culture, transportation and religion in the Tibetan Plateau. The Lhasa River Basin is about 551 kilometers long from east to west, with a drainage area of 32,471 square kilometers. It is the largest tributary of the Yarlung Zangbo River Basin. The climate here is mild, the terrain is flat, the soil is thick, the water source is abundant, and the soil quality is good. The basin is rich in plateau animals, plants and geothermal resources, making it one of the main grain producing areas in Tibet. You may not be able to spend so long with the Lhasa River like the locals, but in the evening, you can take a walk by the river near Xianzu Island and Tibet University, and enjoy the beauty of the sunset touching the horizon. What's even better is that there are many restaurants nearby, so you don't have to worry about food and clothing at all.