Shannan prefecture (山南地区; Shānnán Dìqū Tibetan: ལྷོ་ཁ་ས་ཁུལ་ Lhokha) is in Tibet.

Cities

• Gyatsa
• Nang Dzong
• 1 Tsethang. The regional headquarters of Shannon prefecture
• 2 Samye. Location of the famous Samye Monastery.

Understand

Shannan prefecture is located south of Lhasa, covering an area between the Yarlung Tsangpo River and the Bhutan border. The prefecture lies at an average height of 3,600 meters above sea level, and with its mild climate and wide valleys is considered the most fertile place in Tibet. The region played an important role in Tibetan history, and many consider it be the birthplace of Tibetan culture. The prefectural headquarters, Tsethang, is located in the Yarlung valley, and it is connected to Lhasa by a paved and reasonably well maintained road.

See

• Samye Monastery located in Samye. The first Buddhist monastery in Tibet.
• Tombs of Tibetan Kings - traditional burial area which has the Tomb of Songtsan Gambo within it.