Tsetang is considered to be the cradle of Tibetan civilization, in that the Zodang Gongpori caves above the town are said to be the place where the Tibetan race originated. Forther south in the Yarlung valley kingship and agriculture were first introduced.   The first palace is at Yumbu Lagang and the first Buddhist temple at Tradruk. Samye, Tibet's first monastery, is located 30 km from T

Samye Monastery   Located in the quiet piedmont area of the Shannan Region, the Samye Monastery is the first temple to be built in Tibet and the first complete with the three Buddhist jewels of Buddha, Dharma and Sangha. With these unique features, this splendid temple has become an attraction for visitors from near and far. The temple was built by the Trisong Detsen (reigned 742-798) of th