Tsedang Town

Tsedang Town is located in Nedong County of Shannan Prefecture. It is at the west of the confluence of Yarlung River and Yarlung Zangbo River. It is about 191 kilometers away from Lhasa and 87 Kilometers away from Lhasa Gonggar Airport. Tsedang Town is about 3560 meters above the sea level. It is an important transport hub in Shannan Prefecture. The only state-level scenic spot of Tibet is in Tsedang Town – Yarlung River Scenic Spot.

Tsedang Town – Brief Introduction

Tsedang Town is located on the southern bank of middle reaches of Yarlung Zangbo River. It is 3551 meter above the sea level and has a population of about 15200. Tsedang means a ground for playing in Tibetan. It developed quickly after 1950s; the service industry, hydroelectricity generating and grain processing were greatly promoted. Tsedang Town has developed to a key granary of Shannan Prefecture for its making full use of the temperate climate and fertile soil. It is also the political, economic and cultural center of Shannan Prefecture.

Tsedang Town – Climate and Resources

The annual average temperature at Tsedang Town is 8 ?-9?. The average temperature in the hottest month is 15.7?. The annual precipitation is about 302 millimeters. Tsedang Town is of long sunshine duration with strong solar radiation.

The main crops in Tsedang Town are barley, wheat, pea, rapeseed and son on. Tsedang Town is also of rich mineral resources, among which the chrome ore here is of large quantity and good quality. The hydroelectricity generating also develops quickly in recent years.

Tsedang Town – Samye Monastery

Samye Monastery was built in 779. The site was selected by a famous Indian Buddhist – Padmasambhava and built by the fifth successor of Songtsen Gambo. It is an important monastery of Tibetan Buddhism. The construction of the monastery also plays important role in the architectural history of Tibet. Samye means beyond imagination in Tibetan. The large-scale building complex is composed of numerous halls and towers.

Tsedang Town – Legend

It is said that there were three immortal caves on the holy mountain – Mt. Kampot. A Bodhisattva, a monkey (he was the incarnation of an immortal who violated the rule), and a beautiful siren lived in the caves respectively. Later, the Bodhisattva encouraged the monkey married the siren. The couple gave birth to 6 monkeys and these monkeys are thought to be the ancestors of Tibetan.

The Monkey Cave in Mt. Kampot was the birthplace of Tibetan. And the cave is located in Tsedang Town. There is Buddhism sculptures carved in the cave. The "first field" and "first house" of Tibetan were also in Tsedang Town. The "first field" is located in southern Tsedang Town. It is said that this field was endowed to the monkey by the God. To pray for a good harvest, the local people would bring a handful of soil from the holy field and scatter them to their own land in the sowing season. The "first house" is located in Nedong County. Yungbu Lakhang Palace thought to be the first house constructed for the Tubo king.