General Introduction of Lhokha Prefecture

Shannan (Lhokha) Prefrecture of Tibet Autonomous Region is located at the lower reaches of Yarlung Zangbo River, south of the Kangdese Mountains also called as Nyainqentanglha Mountains on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is bounded by the capital city Lhasa to the north, Shigatse to the west, Nyingtri to the east and India and Bhutan to the south. With an area of 73,500 square kilometers, the prefecture occupies one-fifteenth of the total area of the Tibet Autonomous Region, which includes 12 counties.
The prefecture is at an average elevation of about 3,700 meters. The Yarlung Zangbo River, the mother river of Tibetan people, runs 424 kilometers from west to east through seven counties of the area. In addition, Shannan has 41 rivers all year round with the river area of 38,000 square kms.
Tsetang town, the administrative office of Shannan prefecture and the fourth largest city in Tibet was formerly an important place. It is attracted to travelers because it serves as the jumping board for the exploration of Yarlung Valley. Visiting there, you may find difficulty in buying a bus ticket, finding a budget hotel .
Tsetang is divided into two parts---a modern Chinese town and a small traditional Tibetan town lies to the east around Gangpo Ri--a sacred mountains. The former dzong and village of Nedong now belongs to southern suburbs of Tsetang.