First established as an autonomous regional nature reserve in 1993, Qiangtang was officially upgraded to a national nature reserve on April 5, 2000.

It is situated in northwestern Xizang, south of the Kunlun Mountains and Hoh Xil Mountains, and north of the Gangdise Range and Nyainqentanglha Range. Covering an area of about 298,000 square kilometers, it forms the main part of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. Administratively, the reserve falls under the jurisdiction of Ngari and Nagqu prefectures. It is the second largest nature reserve in the world.