Shannan is a beautiful city and tourist destination in China. TopChinaTravel would like to introduce some of the Best Places to visit in Shannan for you. Then, where to visit in Shannan? Come with us, you will not miss any top attraction of this city. You can visit the so well-known Samye Monastery, Yamdrok Lake, Trundruk Monastery, etc., you will be impressed by the architectures and natural landscapes in Shannan.
Samye Monastery
Samye Monastery, built in the 8th century, was the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet. Samye Monastery is famous for its sacred mandala design: the central temple symbolizes the legendary Mount Meru, center of the universe. It is a popular pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Buddhists, some of whom travel on foot for weeks to reach it.
It was originally built in 8th Century as the first tonsure monk’s monastery in Tibet. The temple’s layout is according to the Buddhist cosmology. The central Buddha hall combines the architectural styles of Tibet, Han and India. It is also the first temple with all the triad of the Buddha, the dharma, and the sangha.
Trundruk Monastery
Trundruk Monastery is one of the earliest Buddhist temples in Tibet. It is said that the Trundruk Monastery was built by King Songtsan Gampo and later became the winter palace of the King and Princess Wencheng in Tsedang. Trundruk Monastery is an ancient Gelugpa temple located in the south of the Yalong River in Shannan of Tibet. It is said that Wecheng Princess used to practice in this temple. The copper pot used by Princess Wencheng are also displayed here. There are many collections in Changzhu Temple. The most famous relic is the pearl tangka which is made of over 29,000 pearls, turquoises and rubies. This tangka is exquisite and beautiful. Here you can know about the story of the blending of Han and Tibetan of that time.
The very original layout of this monastery was only with 6 pillars. It's the earliest of the 12 worshipping halls built by Songtsan Gambo. According to the history, Trundruk Monastery is older than the Tibetan first official monastery Samye, may be 100 years over. The monastery comprises of two buildings, including the main hall and Naiding Lakang (a chapel). The main hall of the monastery is similar to that of Jokhang Temple.
Yamdrok Lake
Yamdrok Lake is one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet. It is over 72 km (45 miles) long. The lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and is fed by numerous small streams. The lake does have an outlet stream at its far western end. Around 90km to the west of the lake lies at the Tibetan town of Gyantse and Lhasa is a hundred km to the northwest. According to local mythology, Yamdrok Lake is the transformation of a goddess.
Yamdrok Lake has a power station that was completed and dedicated in 1996 near the small village of Pai-Ti at the lake western end. This power station is the largest in Tibet.
Yumbulagang Palace
Yumbulagang Palace, located on the summit of the Jormo Zhaxi Ceri Mountain on the east bank of the Yarlung River, is the first palace in Tibet. It was built for the first Tibetan King by Bon believers in the 2nd century, and became the summer palace of Songtsan Gampo and Princess Wencheng. Then the 5th Dalai Lama made it to be the temple of Old-Yellow Hat Sect.
The best time to visit Yumbulagang Palace is from June to August. The climate is fairly mild in winter and rather cool in summer. It is suitable for the most of time of the year to travel to Shannan.
Tombs of Early Tibetan Kings
Tombs of Early Tibetan Kings is located on Mure Mountain at the southern bank of the Yarlung Zangbo River. It is one of the nine recognizable mausoleums for early Tibetan Kings including Songtsen Gambo cover an area of 3 square kilometers. Similarly shaped, they were all high, square earth heaps with flat tops of piled stone and pecked earth, imitating the early tomb styles of central China.
The Tombs was built from 7th Century to 9th Century, and was the largest emperors’ tombs in Tibet. The tombs are back against Peire Mountain, with Yalong River in front, showing that Tubo Dynasty payed great attention on geomantic omen. The whole tombs cover an area over ten thousand square meters, 10 m high above the ground.
Mopuyongcuo Lake
Mopuyongcuo Lake is located in the junction of Langkazi County and Luozha County, which is 210 kilometers from Lhasa. With an altitude of 5,010 meters, Mopuyongcuo Lake is one of the highest freshwater lakes in the world. Mopuyongcuo means flying sapphire in Tibetan. Covering an area of 295 square kilometers, Mopuyongcuo Lake is surrounded by mountains over 6,000 meters above sea level.
In winter(December to February), the Mupuyongcuo Lake is frozen, which is like a sapphire in the plateau. And Tuiwa Village is one of the highest villages in the world, where you can have a panoramic view of the Mopuyongcuo Lake. And in winter, you can see the shepherd and flock of sheep on the frozen surface of the Mopuyongcuo Lake.
Kula Kangri
Located in the Luozha County, Kulang Kangri is one of the four traditional sacred mountains of Tibetan. With an altitude of 7,538 meters, Kula Kangri is the highest peak in Shannan. Kula Kangri is surrounded by high peaks, and 6 of them are over 7,000 meters. There are three plateau lake near the Kula Kangri Peak. And hiking lovers will choose to hike around these three lakes. And it is recommended that you choose to hike around the lakes of Kula Kangri in autumn and winter. There are many sunny days in autumn and winter, and the snow mountains, glaciers and lakes are more beautiful on sunny days.
Karola Glacier
Karola Glacier is located in the junction of Langkazi County and Gyangze County, which is 90 kilometers from Yamdrok Lake. Karola Glacier is one of the largest continental glaciers in Tibet, which can satisfy all your imagination of snow mountains. The best time to visit Karola Glacier is May to October. And Karola Glacier is usually combined with the Yamdrok Lake.
How to Plan A Trip to Shannan in Tibet
Planning a trip to Shannan is Tibet, how long to stay will depend on your preference.
One Day in Shannan: Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier
If you only have one day in Shannan, it is recommended that you choose Yamdrok Lake and Karola Glacier, which includes one of the most famous holy lakes and glaciers in Tibet.
Two Days in Shannan
Day 1 Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier
Day 2 Samye Monastery, Yumbulagong Palace
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