Qamdo locates in the high mountains in the east of Tibet. It lies in more than 3000 meters above sea level, surrounded by mountains and rivers. Since ancient times Qamdo came to be known as one of the most important town in Tibet because of its rich products and beautiful nature.

Now it administers 11 counties: Chamdo, Gyamda, Gongjo, Riwoqe, Dingqen, Chagyab, Baxoi, Zogang, Mangkang, Lhorong and Palbar (Yanjing, Senda, Togba and Bitug have been approved by the State Council, but haven't been set up yet), 13 districts, 09 towns, 168 townships (including nine towns) and 1,622 administrative villages. Twenty-one ethnic groups including Tibetan, Han (Chinese), Hui, Zhuang, Naxi, Lhoba, Monba and Bai live here. The total population is over 550,000, of which 98.26 percent are Tibetan.