Shannan in Tibet

       Shannan (South of the mountains) prefecture in Tibet, is situated at the south of Gangtise and Nyainchen Tanglha ranges, along the middle and lower reaches of Yarlung Tsangpo River, covering an area of 73500 square kilometers (southern area of McMahon Line included). Inhabited by Tibetan, Chinese, Hui, Monba, Lhoba and other nationalities, it has the population of 300 thousand, of which 98% are Tibetan.

       The rich resources endowed by nature has crowned Shannan with the fame of “the Origine of Tibetan Nationality”. The customs of purity and primitively, the folkways pf warmth and frankness have fully demonstrated the true life of this great people. The beautiful myth that tells a scared monkey mated with an ogress to produce the earliest member of the Tibetan race was born at the sacred Mt. Gongpori of Tsedang. On the long way of human’s farewell bidding to monkey, the torch of love was made so bright.

      The long established historical culture repudiated Shannan as “the Cradle of Tibetan Civilization”. The numerous “firsts” in Tibet, for instance, the first king, the first palace, the first kingdom with slavery system, the first monastery, the first monastery, the first cropland, the first Buddhist sutra, the first Tibetan opera… were all credited to Shannon. And the painting, dancing, statue, carving and the literature are other marvels of the region.

       Shannon is actually a valley area in south of Tibet, Characterized with the half - drough plateau monsoon climate of temperature zone. Due to the suitable climate and the rich natural resources, Shannan is universally acknowledged as “ Tibetan Granary”. With the easy traffic and communication of nowadays, Shannan has become the focus of the world’s traveler’s attention. The largest airport of Tibet - Gongkha International Airport is in Shannan. And in Shannan, the landscapes are magnificent and the folklore are pure. The sacred mountains and holy lakes are unique; the historical attraction row one after another; the ancient temples and antiquity monasteries dot everywhere, and of all the attractions, the only national key scenic area in Tibet - Yarlung River Scenic Area is the most outstanding. The traditional handicraft are like flowers full in blossom. Shannan, a miraculous Gardean of beauty, a promising land of long history, with great effort, wisdom and, hope, is decorating the marvel of its future, and, with rich cultural heritage, magnificent landscape and unique folklore, is expecting the honor of the arrival of all friends.

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