Shannan Prefrecture of the Tibet Autonomous Region is located 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.
Coaches and minibuses to Tsedang assemble in Lhasa Coach Station providing daily services. The usual price is CNY 27-30 per person while luxury vehicles charges a little more. Chartering a Santana often costs around CNY 200. The on-the-way scenery of the Yarlung Tsangpo River is breathtaking and the road condition is fairly satisfactory. Direct coaches to the Samye Monastery can be taken near the Jokhang Temple.
