Batang

Batang lies in the Sangon district of Kham, where steep forested valleys descend from the Tibetan plateau toward Sichuan. Its position on routes between central Tibet, Sichuan and China made it a staging point for tea, horses and religious travel. Fields occupy the lower slopes, while yak and sheep use high pastures above the tree line.

Kham was governed through monasteries and local chieftains rather than one permanent royal court. Settled as Tibet's eastern frontier in the seventh century during Songtsen Gampo's reign, it received frontier temples and Buddhist institutions tied to Lhasa. Merchant caravans crossed its valleys while local rulers negotiated with neighboring powers.

Güshri Khan's invasion in 1639 brought Mongol influence and resettled groups into Kham. Qing intervention later tied eastern Tibetan politics more closely to Beijing, but monasteries and local chiefs retained authority over land, trade and justice. Batang's identity grew from this frontier role, combining highland herding, caravan trade and religious government. Local monasteries collected tea, wool, grain and salt, while mule caravans crossed passes that closed under winter snow. The valley also gave shelter to artisans who manufactured saddles, knives and religious objects for caravans.