Bulungkol


Bulungkol Township is a township of Akto County in Xinjiang, China. Located in the middle west of the county, the township covers an area of 4,585 square kilometers with a population of 7,133. It has 5 administrative villages under its jurisdiction. Its seat is at Bulungkol Village.

Name

The name "Bulungkol" is from the Kyrgyz language and means "lake in the corner". It was named after the adjacent Bulungkol Lake.

History

In 1955, Bulungkol was transferred to Akto County from Tashkurgan County.
In 1959, Bulungkol Commune was established.
In 1967, Bulungkol Commune was renamed Fanxiu Commune.
In 1984, Fanxiu Commune became Bulungkol Township.

Geography

The township of Bulungkol is located on the Pamir Plateau, in the southwest of Akto County, between east longitude 74°36′- 75°37′ and north latitude 38°10′- 38°58′. It is bordered by Barin Township and Kirzilto Township to the east, by the town of Oytak to the north, by Muji Township to the west, and by Tashkurgan County and the Republic of Tajikistan to the south. The township has an border with neighboring Tajikistan, with 8 mountain passes connecting the two. The seat of Bulungkol Township is away from the Akto County seat. The area of grassland is, and the area of grazed grassland is.
Bulungkol comprises a number of mountains and valleys, with most of its elevation ranging from to above sea level. The township's highest point, Kongur Tiube, is above sea level. The mountains of Kongur Tagh and Muztagh Ata are cascaded, the gullies are horizontal and vertical, and the peaks are covered with snow all year round. There are large areas of glaciers, with the and the Kangxiwar River originating from these glaciers. Bulungkol Township's landscape also includes a number of lakes and springs.

Flora and fauna

The township is home to rare wild animals, such as the snowcock, snow leopard, procapra przewalskii and argali. There is also rare vegetation such as sand holly and snow lotus.

Geology

The mineral resources mainly include metal mines such as iron, gold and copper, and non-metallic minerals such as diamond, granite and muscovite.

Climate

Bulungkol Township has an alpine climate with an average annual temperature of. The township's average temperature in January is, and its an average temperature in July is. Bulungkol Township typically experiences an annual precipitation of between and, and a frost-free period of 90 to 100 days.

Administrative divisions

Bulungkol Township governs the following five administrative villages :
These administrative villages also include a number of natural villages, which do not serve as administrative divisions, such as the village of Qarjayit.

Demographics

, the population of Bulungkol Township was 99.9% Kyrgyz.

Economy

Animal husbandry is the main component of Bulungkol's economy, producing Subashi Large-tailed Sheep. Mineral resources include iron, copper, spodumene, beryl, muscovite and others.

Transportation

Tourism

The main tourist attractions are Karakul Lake, a designated national tourist attraction, and Baisha Mountain.