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Shannan Travel Guide                                           Write a Review

Shannan Prefrecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region is located between 9014'E-9422'E and 2708"N-2947"N, at the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River south of the Kangdese Mountains-called the Nyainqentanglha Mountains on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. It is bounded by the capital city Lhasa to the north, Xigaze to the west, Nyingchi to the east and India and Bhutan to the south. With an area of 73,500 square kilometers, Shannan occupies one-fifteenth of the total area of the Tibet Autonomous Region. With a boundary line of more than 600 kilometers, it has great strategic importance and serves as China's southwestern border area.

Shannan includes 12 counties, four of which are in boarder areas. They are Cona, Lhongzi, Nanggarze and Lhozha. There are 144 township-level towns, five neighborhood committees and 719 village committees. Of the 144 townships, there are 71 agricultural townships, 18 involved animal husbandry, and 57 that combine these two sectors.

Shannan's topography is typical of the southern Tibetan valley area, with a terrian gradually declining from west to east and 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 the seven counties of Nanggarze, Gonggar, Chahang, Nedong, Sangri, Qusum, Gyacha. In addition, Shannan has 41 rivers that run down high mountains and deep valleys all year round, with the river area of 38,000 square kilometers. There are 88 lakes in the prefecture, including Yamzhog Yumco, Namco, Chigu and Purmo Yumco, which are well known and, like green gemstones, are inlaid in the mountains of Shannan.

Shannan Climate                                                    Write a Review

Shannan enjoys a temperate and dry climate, with average annual rainfall of less than 450 millimeters. The rainy season is concentrated between June and September. Annual sunshine is between 2,600 and 3,300 hours. Average annual temperature is between 6.0 and 8.8 degrees Celsius, with the record high at 31 degrees and a low at 37 degrees below zero. Average annunal wind speed is about 3 meters/second, with the fastest speed at 17 meters/second. The windy season is concentrated between December and March.

Shannan Feature                                                   Write a Review

The melting snow from Mt.Yarlhasangpo, the wide middle reaches of Yarlungtsenpo River, the endless snow mountains and the picturesque evergreen virgin forests have helped to create the nation's wise, open, strong and humorous nature. Lhoka, a glorious place with remarkable people, is the cradle of Tibetan civilization. The famous king Songtsangampo who unified Tibet and created a splendid Kingdom here. No matter you come for tourism, mountain-climbing or investing, you will feel that Lhoka is really worth visiting.