Tibet Regional Guide - Shannan		Recommended China Travel Agency: China Odyssey Tours   - China Tour   - Yangtze River Cruise   - Discount China Hotels

Shannan Region - Combination of natural and cultural scenery

Shannan Region is located in the middle and lower reaches of the Yarlung a Zangbo River, between Lhasa to the north, Nyingchi to the east, Xigaze to the west and bordering Bhutan and India on the south along the Himalayas. On this region of 80,000 square kilometres live 318,000 n people (in the year 2000). Tibetan people take up 98 per cent of the population. The rest 2 per cent is formed with Han, Hui, Monba, Lhoba and other nationalities. The region includes 12 counties: Nedong, Qusum, Qonggyai, Sangri, Comai, Zanang, Gyacha, Cona, Gonggar, Lhunzi, Lhozhag and Nagarze.
While the northern counties of this region distribute along the valleys of the Yarlung Zangbo and its tributaries, the four southern counties are located in the Himalayas. With the Gandise and Himalayas standing in the north and south, the warm and humid air from the Indian Ocean brings ample precipitation and temperate climate. At the middle of the Shannan Region lies the valley of Yarlung Zangbo. Many tributaries join in the broad river from Quxu to Gyacha. The ample water in turn brings fertile earth. Beautiful pasture and dense forest distribute along the mountains on both sides of the river. The mountains, lakes, valleys, hot springs, karst caves and other colourful land¬sca es are natural gifts for tourists.

Shaman was one of the cradles of the Tibetan ancient culture and takes up an outstanding po¬sition in the long scroll of Tibetan history. One of the most famous legends of Tibet says that humans were the offspring of a sacred monkey and a woman. The site of the legend is in Shannan. It was also in Shannan that the first cultivated lands, measured fields, water irrigation, storing the forage grass, molding metal, firing pottery and many other techniques first appeared in Tibet. The long history has left the area with a rich cultural heritage; the special geological conditions bestowed the region with unique scenery; while the profound religious atmosphere has glorified the mountains, rivers and historic sites with a holy aura. There are many historic sites in Shannan: the Tombs of Tibetan Kings, Sam-yas Monastery, Qamzhub Monastery, Yungbolhakang, Minzholing Monastery, Do-rje-brag Monastery, Samding Monastery, etc. Among them, the Tombs of Tibetan Kings and the Sam-yas Monastery are on national level protection list. There are the sacred mountains like the Jagsamqoinpori of Gonggar County, the sacred Habort Mountain of Samyai and the Gongbori of Zetang. The region also has sacred lakes like Yamzhog Yumcog in Nagarze County and the Lhamoi Laco of Gyacha.

The Shannan Region has one scenic region and three tourism sites which have many historic spots.

Yarlung River State Scenic Region: It is the only State level scenic region in Tibet and combines snowy mountains, glacier, pasture, river valley, alpine vegetation, his¬toric sites and simple folk customs.

Yamzhog Yumcog Scenic Region: It gathers lake, snow mountains, islands, pasture, hot spring, wildlife, monastery and other spots into one.

Samyai Scenic Region: The area includes many historical and cultural sites in the Samyi, Songga and Azar townships of the Zanang County, such as the Sam-yas monastery, Habort Mountain, Qinpu Meditation Cave and the Zayang Zong Karst Cave.
Sacred Lake Scenic Region: In the counties of Sangri, Qusum and Gyacha, there are mountains, valleys, cuckoo flowers, sacred rivers, hot springs, sacred religious sites and ancient architectures. The natural scenery is formed with Lhamoi Laco, Oiga Hot Spring and others. There are also historic sites like monasteries and the La'gyable Palace.

The local special products include: the pulu blanket and Minzholing brand Tibetan incense of Zanang; pulu blanket and bangdian apron of Gonggar; the bracelet, necklace, butter lantern and incense burner of Qonggyai; the carpet and glazed butter bottle of Qusum; the utensils made of stone or Zhaga poplar branches of Sangri; the Lebu wooden bowl of Cona; the Lagong butter, Jiayu butter tea cup and silver gilded Tibetan knife of Lhunzi; and the Yamzhog dried meat, Yamzhog Tibetan quilt and silver tea cup of Nagarze.

Shannan Region is gifted with relatively bet¬ter transportation conditions. The famous Gonggar Airport of Lhasa is located in the Gyazhuling Township of the Gonggar County in Shannan.

4. Nyingchi Region - Largest primitive forest area of China