Samyae Monastery

On the northern bank of the Yarlung Zambo River in Chanang County, Shannan Prefecture, the monastery was built in 779 under the supervision of Master Padmasambhava and Tibetan King Trisong Detsen. It is the first monastery for the monks in Tibet. The magnificient and unique Central Hall is three story high. The first floor is of the Tibetan architectural style, the second the Han style and the third the Indian style. The halls in the monastery house many statues and murals. The monastery has bronze bells, carved marble lions and tablets marking the development of Buddhism. All these are valuable cultural relics.

Tourists can take the bus from Lhasa to Zetang and get off at Samyae Ferry for a charge of 30 yuan. Then you have to take a motor boat to the other bank of the river for five yuan and take a bus to the monastery. Also you can take a mini bus from Zetang to the monastery (running on the newly built highway). Staying in the monastery overnight costs 40 yuan. Just outside the east gate of the monastery stands the Friendship Snowland Hotel and others.

Tradruk Monastery

Tradruk Temple is one of the earliest Buddhist Temples in Tibetan history. Built in 641 A.D, it is said that King Songtsan Gampo established the temple to suppress the ogress in order to prosper his kingdom, and later it became the winter palace of the King and Princess Wencheng in Tsedang. It contains the precious relics the Pear Tangkha, which, 2 meters in length, 1.2 meters in breadth, is made of 29026 pears and different precious stone by Naidong during the reign of Pamodrupa Kingdom.

Dratang Monastery

Dratang Monastery belongs to the Sakyapa Sect, was established in 1081, the founder of monastery Drapa Eshepa who is one of the 13 sages in Dranuang County. The monastery absorbed some architecture style from Someye Monastery, there were three surrounding walls but now only 750 meters left, it has three stories before, but now only the first floor left. The murals in this monastery are the most precious.

Changzhug Monastery

Standing by the highway on the east bank of the Yalong River in Nedong County, Shannan Prefecture, this monastery was built in the seventh century and has been repaired in various historical periods. A legend says after Songtsan Gambo established its capital in Lhasa, he came and stayed here together with Princess Wen Cheng who planted the willow trees around the monastery. The monastery houses a precious Thangka picture of a Buddha inlaid with pearls and gems. Tourists can take the mini-bus in Zetang Town to the monastery for two yuan each or a motor tricycle for 15 yuan or less.