Shannan Prefecture (Tsedang) Travel Guide
Location: As the capital of Shannan prefecture, Tsedang is a small city located about 183kms southeast of Lhasa in the Tibet.
Population: 52,000
Area: 79,700 square kilometers
Nationalities: Tibet, Han, Menba, Luoba
History: Shannan Prefecture is the birthplace of Tibetan civilization. It used to be the capital of Yarlung and, as such, a place of great importance. In the 19th century it is said to have contained some 1,000 houses, a bazzar, a gompa and a fort. Samye, Tibet’s first monastery, is located 30kms from Tsedang and was fonded in 779 by King Trisong Detsen.
Climate: The annual average temperature is 7.4-8.9℃. The summer is short and cool, winter is long and dry going with strong wind. It has great difference in temperature between daylight and night.
Local Specialties: Barley wine, Chideshol aprons, Chunggye jade article, and Zhanang weavings
Local Foods: Butter tea, tsampa, sweet tea, milk tea, yogurt, Stuffed intestines, yak’s tongue with cold vegetable, toast intestines, Xia-puqing (muddy meat), wind-dried meat of Yam dok Yumtso
Major Attractions
Yamdrok-Tso Lake: Yamdo-Tso Lake is one of the largest sacred lakes in Tibet, covering 72km long. The lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and is fed by numerous small streams. The lake does have an outlet streams at its far western end. To the interior of the lake ten or so hilly islands stand independently one from the other which give homes to flocks of wild ducks. A lot of colorful ducks and geese are swimming on the surface of the lake. There is also plenty of natural fodder for the fish in the lake. The lake has a fish reserve of about 300 million kilograms.That is why it is called "the Fish Store of Tibet". The coast of the lake is an ideal pasture. All these make an intoxicating quite picture.
Yarlung Tsangpo River: Yarlung Tsangpo River refers to 'water flowing from the highest peak' in Tibetan language. With the highest altitude in the world, Yarlung Tsangpo River is considered as a seam of the Indian and European-Asia plate by geologists. It is one of the most beautiful rivers throughout the world. Steep mountains, thick virgin forests, fruit gardens give off an alluring fragrance and waterfalls formed by melting snow from the mountains present you with a marvelous painting; Meanwhile this scene provides you with a chance to feel in person the mightiness and charm of nature.
Samye Monastery: Sitting Pretty on the foot of Mt. Haibu Rishen, Samye Monastery is situated in the serene Shannan Region, to the north of Tsangpo river. This is the first monastery in entire Tibet to be built comprising with the three Buddhist idols, Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. This monastery is hugely popular with all Buddhist pilgrims from around the world. And the beauty of its construction beckons tourist who comes to Tibet.
Chim-puk Hermitage: Chim-puk Hermitage is a warren of caves that was once a retreat for Guru Rinpoche and other high ranking lamas. Chim-puk Hermitage is to the north-east of Samye. After crossing through the desert-like territory for a couple of hours, the path ascends into the surprisingly lush area in which the caves are found. It can be an ideal route for day hike.
Trandruk Monastery: Trandruk Monastery is famous throughout Tibet since it was the first Buddhist chapel ever built in Tibet. Trandruk is one of the earliest Buddhist monasteries in Tibet, having been founded at the same time as the Jokhang and Ramoche in Lhasa. It lies five kilometers (three miles) south of Tsedang on the road leading to Yumbu Lakhang. Built under the reign of Emperor Songtsen Gampo (AD 617-650), Trandruk later experienced large-scale reconstruction after it converted to Gelugpa. According to legend, the monastery could only be built after Songtsen Gampo turned into a roc and conquered an evil dragon. The name "trandruk" means roc conquering a dragon.
Mindroling Monastery: Located 40km west of Tsetang, Mindroling Monastery is one of the six major monasteries of the Nyingma school in Tibet. Mindroling Monastery was originally built in 1676, covering a total area of more than 100,000 square meters (about 25 acres). The Mindroling Monastery is a major study center for Buddhist monks as it has a college for advanced Buddhist Studies.
Yumblagang: Located about 12km southwest of Tsetang, Yumbulagang is considered to the first building or palace in Tiebet. It is a medieval-European-castle-like structure. It was built in the 7th century and has three building with different style (Tibetan Hans and India). On your way to Yumbulagang, it is worth stopping at Trandruk Monastery.
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