Changtang National Protected Area, Nature reserve in Gertse County, China
The Changtang National Protected Area is a nature reserve on the northern Tibetan Plateau, covering parts of Gertse, Gê'gyai, and Rutog counties. The terrain is made up of open steppes, mountain valleys, and alpine meadows at very high altitude, where the air is thin and plant life is sparse.
The reserve was formally designated in 1993, when growing concern about the decline of wildlife on the Tibetan Plateau led authorities to place the area under protection. That step allowed for organized management of endangered species in one of the most remote parts of China.
Nomadic herders move across the plateau with yaks and sheep, following grazing routes tied to the seasons that have shaped life in this region for a very long time. Their temporary camps are often the only signs of human presence visible across the open land.
The altitude here is high enough that the body needs time to adjust, so arriving gradually from lower elevations is strongly advisable. The warmer months offer the best conditions for travel, as winter temperatures can make large parts of the area very difficult to reach.
The Tibetan antelope, locally called the chiru, makes some of its last large-scale migrations through this reserve, moving in herds across the open plateau. Its fine undercoat, known as shahtoosh, was once so sought after that populations fell sharply before protection measures took effect.
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