Shannan — Lhoka in Tibetan — is one of the most historically resonant parts of Tibet. The Yarlung valley holds Tibet's oldest surviving building, its first monastery, and the burial mounds of its founding kings. This is not a place for casual sightseeing: the distances between sites are significant, the roads are rough in places, and a Tibet Travel Permit is required in addition to a Chinese visa. But for those drawn to the deep history of the plateau, there is nowhere like it.
Most visitors base themselves in Tsetang (Zedang), the main city of the prefecture, and take day trips out to the valley sites. A hired car with a driver is the most practical way to cover the ground — public transport is limited and infrequent.