Rawu

Rawu (simplified Chinese: ​然乌镇; traditional Chinese: 然烏鎮; pinyin: Ránwū Zhèn), also known as Ravu^{[citation needed]} or Rawok,^{[1][better source needed]} is a town in Pasho County, Chamdo Prefecture, within the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It sits at an altitude of about 3,970 m (13,020 ft).^[2] Located along the Rakwa Tso, the town hosts a growing tourism industry.^[2][3] The modern town is built beside an older village of the same name.^{[1][better source needed]} Per the 2010 Chinese Census, Rawu has a population of 4,335.^[4]

Rawu 然乌镇
Town
A streetscape in Rawu
Rawu
Coordinates: 29°30′18″N 96°45′23″E
Country	China
Autonomous region	Tibet Autonomous Region
Prefecture-level city	Chamdo
County	Pasho County
Elevation	3,970 m (13,020 ft)
Population  (2010)
• Total	4,335

History

The Sichuan-Tibet portion of China National Highway 318 was constructed in the area during the 1950s, and was extended in the 1960s.^[3]

Geography

The town of Rawu is quite close to the original Tibetan village. To the southeast of the village is a large chorten and a small temple overlooking the Rakwa Tso^{[citation needed]} (also known as Ngan-tso,^{[1][better source needed]} or Rawu Lake^{[5][better source needed]}), which is surrounded by snow-capped peaks and forests.^{[citation needed]} The lake is about 7 km (4.3 miles) from the town.^[6] It is 26 by 2 km (16.2 by 1.2 miles), and consists of two sections connected by a small stream.^{[1][better source needed]} There are small villages on both shores.^{[1][better source needed]}

Demographics

Per the 2010 Chinese Census, Rawu has a population of 4,335, up from the 3,856 recorded in the 2000 Chinese Census.^[4] The modern town has a population of about 2,900.^{[citation needed]}

Economy

The town is located near Rakwa Tso, a major lake,^[2] and attracts many tourists.^[2][3] The main industry other than tourism is logging.^[7] Many of the town's shops and hotels draw business from loggers and workers from nearby military base.^{[citation needed]}

Transportation

Rawu sits along the Sichuan-Tibet portion of China National Highway 318.^[3]