Natural Resources

Ngari is also rich in energy resources, water, wind and geothermal energy in particular. There are over 80 rivers and 60 lakes in the prefecture. The noted rivers include Shiquanhe, Kongquehe, Maquanhe, Xiangquanhe, Garhe and Choqenhe. The flow path totals 9,500 km and the drainage area covers near 60,000 square km. The reserves of water resources reach 20,000 kw. The thermal energy is distributed along the Shiquanhe-Yarlung Zangbo River geothermal belt, the Kunlun-Hoh Xil geothermal belt, and the Kangdese-Nyainqentanglha geothermal belt. Ngari belongs to the Category II wind zone, with an annual average wind velocity above 3.2 meters per second and a gale frequency of at least grade eight. Gales blow about 149 days in a year.

Ngari is where the Himalayas, Kangdese and Kalakunlun ranges meet, about 4,500 meters above sea level on an average. Its general terrain is high in the north and south and low in the middle. The average annual temperature is zero degree. The four large rivers, Shiquanhe, Xiangquanhe, Maquanhe and Kongquehe, which originate from the Kangdese and Himalayas, flow northwest, southwest and southeast separately into India and Nepal, becoming the upper reaches of the Indus River, Sutlei River, Brahmaputra River and the Ganges, which finally join the Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea. Ngari has therefore been described as "on the roof of the world and at the head of waters." Here, there are rolling mountains and vast stretches of field. Lakes dot the vast territory.