山南市
The cradle of Tibetan civilisation
Why this place
Shannan is where Tibetan civilisation began: the first palace, the first Buddhist monastery and the first temples are all here, along the Yarlung valley where the first Tibetan kings ruled.
What to see
- Samye Monastery — the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet, founded in the 8th century
- Yumbulagang — the first palace of the Tibetan kings, on its hill
- Trandruk and the Yarlung valley's royal tombs
- Lhamo La-tso lake, a pilgrimage lake where people go to see visions of their future
What to eat
- Tibetan staples; barley and yak products from the Yarlung valley
- Shannan is known for its 'qong' barley and its wool products
Best time
April–June and September–October
HSKHSK 4
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