Photo: Defense Mapping Agency / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Tsetang
Gateways to Yarlung, Samye
Tsetang 3200m (pronounced Tsethang in Tibetan) is one of Tibet’s largest cities, located 183 km southeast of Lhasa and 87km from Gongkar airport. It is the capital of Shannan (Lokha) prefecture of TAR. Starting your trip of Tibet (TAR) from here also helps a bit in acclimatization, as it is slightly lower in elevation then Lhasa. Tsetang itself is not very interesting to see but it is the gateway to visiting Yarlung, Chongye and Samye valleys. The areas around Tsetang is regarded as the cradle of Tibetan civilization, in that Gongpori caves above the town are said to be the place where Tibetan race originated.
Near Tsetang
Other places within 15 km.
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Temples & Monasteries
Trandruk Monastery
One of the earliest Buddhist temples in Tibet, near Tsetang in the Yarlung Valley and held sacred by pilgrims.
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Temples & Monasteries
Tsetang Monastery
Located at the entrance of the old Tibetan quarter, Tsetang monastery was originally a Kagyu site, founded by Tai Situ of Phakmodrupa in 14th century.
