Shannan

山南 · City

Shannan (Lhoka) south of Lhasa holds early Tibetan royal sites — Yumbulagang Palace and Samye Monastery — along the Yarlung River valley.

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FocusYarlung Valley, Samye, Yumbulagang

Distance from LhasaAbout 2 to 3 hours by car

Days needed1 to 2

Best time to visitMay to September

Overview

Quick facts about Shannan

Quick answer

Shannan (Lhoka) south of Lhasa holds early Tibetan royal sites — Yumbulagang Palace and Samye Monastery — along the Yarlung River valley.

Focus	Yarlung Valley, Samye, Yumbulagang
Distance from Lhasa	About 2 to 3 hours by car
Days needed	1 to 2
Best time to visit	May to September
Permit	Tibet Travel Permit

Stays in Shannan

Hotels we use on our tours, with oxygen rooms marked.

Shannan

Grand Hotel Geldonzan

Shannan

JAMESJOYCE COFFETEL

Shannan

Shannan Meikang International Hotel

Shannan

Tibethostel Qiangji Linka Luxury Villa Resort Hotel

Shannan

Minshan Shangling Airport Hotel

Shannan

Hampton by Hilton Shannan

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Best time to visit

Average daily high and low in °C, and monthly rain in mm. Winter is cold and dry, with fewer visitors and lower hotel prices.

Daily highDaily lowRain

BestGoodCold or limited access

Permit

What foreign visitors need before arrival.

Quick answer

Yes. All foreign visitors need a Tibet Travel Permit, and some areas need extra permits. We file them for you with every booking.

Nearby regions

Lhasa

Potala, Jokhang and the old town

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Shigatse and Gyantse

Tashilhunpo Monastery, Yamdrok Lake

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Everest region

North base camp and Rongbuk Monastery

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Namtso

High-altitude lake near Lhasa

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Nyingchi

Blossoms and canyons at low altitude

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Nagqu

Changtang grassland and northern plateau

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Questions

Every foreign passport holder does. The Tibet Travel Permit is issued only through registered Tibet agencies, and it is checked at airports, train stations and hotels. We file it with every booking at no extra charge.

No. Foreign travellers need a booked tour with a licensed guide, plus a private vehicle for any route beyond Lhasa. A fixed-departure group seat is the cheapest way to travel.

April to October is the main season. May–June and September–October have the clearest mountain views; July and August are greener but wetter.

The train from Xining or Beijing is a slow, scenic climb that helps with acclimatisation. Flights from Chengdu, Xi’an or Kathmandu save a day or two.

Visiting Shannan?

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