Lhozhag County, also known as “Lhodrak County“, is a county under Shannan City. Lhozhag means “Great Southern Cliff” in Tibetan
Location
Lhozhag county lies in south of Yarlung Tsanbo River watershed, in which Tibetan Buddhism of Nyingma pa and Kagyu pa have flourished, it is one of the 4 counties of Tibet that bordering with Bhutan. Its border-line is about more than 200 kilometers, and being regarded as one “Cultural bridge” to connect Tibet and Bhutan.
Lhozhag county seat is Dowa dzong which is of 3800 meters above sea level. It is 60 kilometers from Sekhar Gutok Monastery, and 75 km from Puma Yumtso Lake, 232 kilometers away from Shannan City and 259 kilometers away from Lhasa City.
Lhozhag County is adjacent to Comai County and Cona County to southeast, Nagarze County to northwest, and the Kingdom of Bhutan to south.
Best time to travel
From June to October
Local climate
Southern Tibet temperate semi-arid plateau monsoon climate and plateau temperate semi-arid monsoon climate zone
Most popular sites
Sekha Gutuo Monastery, also known as “Sekhar Gutuk Monastery“, is located about 50 kilometers south of Lhozhag County. Its wall is 98 meters long from east to west and 48 meters wide from north to south. It mainly preserves the inheritance deeds and figure murals of Kagyu pa, early murals of Tibetan Mendang painting school and Tubo scriptures. In 2001, it was announced as the fifth batch of national key cultural relics protection units by the State Council
Jidui Tubo Tombs, located in Lhozhag County, are distributed on the mountainside in south side of Jidui Township. It covers an area of about 500,000 square meters. It is an ancient tomb of the Tubo period, built around Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD). Jidui Tubo Tombs was announced as the fifth batch of national key cultural relics protection units in 2001
Lalong Monastery, also known as “Lhalung Monastery“, with a long history and unique architectural style, has a very important position in the Kagyu pa of Tibetan Buddhism. It is located in Zari Township about 20 kilometers east of Lhozhag County. The monastery is in an open river valley platform with an altitude of 3700 meters.
Kajiu Monastery, also known as “Kharchu Monastery“, is regarded as “Auspicious Hidden Practicing Monastery”. It was built in 1570 AD with location on the top of the mountain behind Lhakang Town, about 75 kilometers away from the county seat and 4,019 meters above sea level. It is one of the five sacred retreats of Padmasambhava and belongs to Nyingma Pa. Kajiu Monastery was announced as one of the fourth batch of cultural relics protection units in 2007
Drowolung Monastery is located on the southern slope of the second group of Se Village. It was built by Master Marpa, the founder of Kagyu Pa of Tibetan Buddhism, when he was 29 years old (in early 11th century). It is the first monastery and birthplace of Kagyu Pa. It is mainly divided into White Hall, Red Hall, Marpa Pagoda, and Narosamp Retreat Center. Among them, a flat land on the hillside at the foot of this monastery is surrounded by prayer flags, where the stones are piled ， it is Shun-yuan-field, which was where Millareba and Marpa first met.
Geography and climate
Lhozhag County belongs to Himalayas in the mountain lake basin valley of southern Tibet. Its terrain is high in northwest and low in southeast, with a water area of about 400 square kilometers. It has abundant resources of water, wind and solar.
There are 6 peaks over 6000 meters above sea level, with the highest elevation of 7,538 meters, the lowest elevation of 2,740 meters, and the average elevation of 3,820 meters.
Southeast of Luozha County is subtropical semi-humid and humid climate, with more precipitation and little sunshine; its northwestern part is a temperate semi-arid monsoon climate zone, with little rain and wind, a dry climate and sufficient sunshine.
The annual sunshine hours are 2746 hours, the annual average precipitation is 367 mm, and the annual frost-free period is about 105 days. The distribution of precipitation is uneven, with more rain in southeast than in northwest.
Population and ethnicity
As of 2014, the total population of Lhozhag County is 20,000, of which Tibetan population accounts for 96% of total population, in addition to Han, Monba, and Luoba ethnic groups.
Recommended hotels
Ka Jiu Si Hotel
Add: Lhozhag county
Contact: +86 0 136-4893-3555
Kula Gangri Hotel
Add: No. 10, Gabo Midle Road
Contact: +86 0 181-8493-6505
Lhozhag Guesthouse
Add: No. 38, Gabo Midle Road
Contact: +86 0 139-8903-3077
Pingcuo Hotel
Add: No. 21, Gabo Midle Road
Contact: +86 0 180-8903-2958
Snowland hostel
Add: No. 27, Gabo Midle Road
Contact: +86 0 138-8194-1162
Zhong Liang Hotel
Add: No. 42, Gabo Midle Road
Contact: +86 893 737-2666
Brief History
It is named after being located at southern foot of Himalayas.
During Tubo kingdom, it was one of 13 Qianhu households of “Yue Ru” in Tibet
In Yuan Dynasty(AD 1271-AD 1368), Lhozhag area was under jurisdiction of Yamdrok Wanhu Mansion
During Phagmo Drupa Regime, 3 Zong were established in Lhozhag area, and all of which were under jurisdiction of Shannan Jiqiao.
In 1960, this 3 Zong were merged to form Lhozhag County, it was under jurisdiction of Shannan Prefecture
In 2016, Shannan Prefecture was abolished, and prefecture-level Shannan City was established, and Lhozhag County was under jurisdiction of Shannan City.
