On October 14th, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development announced the first 127 candidates for “China’s Most Unique Villages.” Thonpa village of Nyemo County, Lhasa and the Town of Samye Town in Dranang County, Lhoka (Shannan) City were both on the list. 

Photo shows modernized town Samye and the Samye Monastery.  

Photo shows homes in Thonpa village.

Thonpa village of Nyemo County, Lhasa is not only known for producing Tibetan incense, it is also the hometown for the founder of the Tibetan language, Thonmi Sambhota. Photo shows Thonmi Sambhota’s childhood home in the Thonpa Scenic District in Nyemo County.

On July 20th, 2016, the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development, along with three other agencies and ministries, released the report of On Developing and Cultivating Unique Villages, planning to cultivate around 1000 unique and vibrant villages in China by 2020. These villages will be suitable for leisure and tourism, business development, modern manufacturing, education and technology, traditional culture, and enjoyable lifestyle; the initiative will promote the construction of all towns and villages nation-wide.

Photo shows the Town of Samye.

The Thonpa River.

Overview of the Samye Monastery.