Yarlung Valley and Southern U
Southern Tibet (Lhokha)
Southern U is the area south of Lhasa along the wide Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) River, and it is one of the richest regions of Tibetan history. The Yarlung Valley is regarded as the cradle of Tibetan civilisation, where the first kings of Tibet are said to have ruled.
Here you find Yumbulakhang, one of the oldest buildings in Tibet, the royal tombs at Chongye, and Samye, the first monastery of Tibet. Tsetang is the main town and a base for exploring.
The landscape is gentler than the high plateau further west, with barley fields, river sand dunes and temples set on hillsides. Most visitors cover it on the road between Lhasa and Gongkar airport or as a side trip from Lhasa.
- Best time to visit
- April to October
- Getting there
- By road from Lhasa, about 3 hours to Gongkar airport and a further hour or so to Tsetang.
- Suggested stay
- 2 to 3 nights
Places in and around Yarlung Valley and Southern U
Groups always run in this order. Inside each group, the must-see picks come first; hikes and places to stay follow the order Windhorse recommends.
Sights and attractions in Yarlung Valley and Southern U
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Mountain passes
Lhamo La-Tsho
Lhamo Latsho (oracle lake) is one of most important pilgrimage destinations in U region.
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Sight
Chokhorgye
The dramatic Chokhorgye monastery (4500m) is 35km drive from Gyatsa town, wedged between three peaks; Zhidag, Shridebi and Begtse.
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Nature & Viewpoints
Chongye Valley
The valley of Chongye was the ancient capital of Tibetan King, until Songtsen Gampo moved it to Lhasa in seventh century.
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Temples & Monasteries
Tangboche Monastery
The yellow buildings of Tangboche, located on the way to Chongye from Tsetang is thought to date back to 1017.
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Nature & Viewpoints
Sheldrak Cave
Sheldrak Cave is the first mediation site of Guru Padmasambhava and therefore an important pilgrim site.
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Temples & Monasteries
Rechung-puk Monastery
The hermitage of Rechung Puk is approached by 1 hour trek uphill, from the road 3km south of Tsetang.
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Temples & Monasteries
Sang-ngag Zimche Nunnery
This active nunnery with about 50 nuns is located on the slopes of Mt.
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Temples & Monasteries
Ngamcho Monastery
Ngamcho, also once a Kagyu site, founded by Tai Situ of Phakmodrupa in 14 century and later absorbed by Gelugpa in 17th century.
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Temples & Monasteries
Samye Monastery
According to the legend Indian monk Shantarakshita made several attempts to construct the monastery.
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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.
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Sight
Tsetang
Tsetang 3200m (pronounced Tsethang in Tibetan) is one of Tibet's largest cities, located 183 km southeast of Lhasa and 87km from Gongkar airport.
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Temples & Monasteries
Mindroling Monastery
Mindroling Monastery is 8km inland along Lhasa - Tsetang road, between the Dranang turn-off and the Samye ferry crossing.
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Sight
Dranang
48 km from Gongkar airport, along the road to Tsetang is the turn-off to Dranang (Dratang) Monastery, which is 2km drive inland.
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Sight
Gongkar
Gongkar county is located along the banks of Yarlung Tsangpo at the point where the river is widest.
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Temples & Monasteries
Dorji Drak Monastery
Tubten Dorji Drak is one of the two important Nyingma monasteries in U region.
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