Yalong

In Shannan Prefecture, it is a picturesque gallery composed of pastureland, river valleys, the snow-capped mountains and glaciers and ancient religious sites. The customs are unique here. Also it has rich varieties of plantations, distributed vertically according to the changes of elevation. The historical and cultural sites include the earliest palace Yombulagang in Tibet, the first temple Samyae Monastery in Tibet, the earliest Buddhist hall Changzhug Monastery and the tombs of the Tibetan kings. In total there are some 40 scenic spots in the area.

Yombulagang Palace

In Nedong County, eight kilometers to the south of Zetang Town, it is the first palace in Tibetan history. It was said that the palace was built in the second century B.C. by the first king Nyatri Tsanpo. It houses the statues of the three-world Buddhas and Tsanpos of various historical stages including Nyatri Tsanpo, Lhatu Turi Niantsan, Rabajin, Songtsan Gambo and Trisong Detsen.

The palaces said to have been built specially for the first Tibetan king, Nyetri Tsanpo who was believed descending from the heaven in the 2nd B.C. The legend says that the first Tibetan scripture and some other religious objects landed here from the heaven during the reign of the 28th king Lhatotorinyetsan. These legends really fascinate a lot of people from home and abroad.

Sekhargutok Monastery

Located in Lhodrak County, the monastery was built in about 1080 A.D. According to Milarepa Biography, the monastery actually a Nine Stored Castle was constructed by the famous Buddhism master Mharpa'disciple Milarepa, who painstakingly constructed it in order to atone for his sin. Either in the history of Buddhism sects or in the fields of the architecture or the painting art in Tibet, this monastery has taken a very important position.

(CRIENGLISH.com / tibettour.com.cn)