Lhoka Region is located in the middle and lower reaches of the Yarlung Tsanpo River, between Lhasa to the north, Nyingtrit to the east, Shigatse to the west and bordering Bhutan and India on the south along the Himalayas. On this region of 80,000 square kilometres live 290,000 peopleTibetan people take up 98 per cent of the population. Therest 2 per cent is formed with Han, Hui, Monba, Lhoba and other nationalities. The region includes 12 counties: Nedong, Chosum, Chonggye, Sangri, Tsome, Dranang, Gyatsa, Tsona, Gonggar, Lhuntsi, Lhodrak and Nagartse. The regional ad-ministration office is located at the town of Tsetang.
While the northern counties of this region distribute along the valleys of the Yarlung Zangbo and its tributaries, the four southern counties are located in the Himalayas. With the Gang Tise and himalayas standing in the north and south, the warm and humid air from the Indian Ocean brings ample precipitation and temperate climate. At the middle of the Lhoka Region lies the valley of Yarlung Tsangpo. Many tributaries join in the broad river from Chushul to Gyatsa. The ample water in turn brings fertile earth. Beautiful pasture and dense forest distribute along the mountains on both sides of the river. The mountains, lakes, valleys, hot springs, karst caves and other colorful landscapes are natural gifts for tourists
Lhoka was one of the cradles of the Tibetan ancient culture and takes up an outstanding position in the long scroll of Tibetan history. One of the most famous legends of Tibet says that humans were the offspring of a sacred monkey and a woman the site of the legend is in Lhoka. It was also in Lhoka that the first cultivated lands, measured fields. water irrigation, storing the forage grass, molding metal, firing pottery and many other techniques first appeared in Tibet. The long history has left the area with a rich cultural heritage the special geological conditions bestowed the region with unique scenery; while the profound religious atmosphere has glorified the mountains, rivers and historic sites with a holy aura. There are many historic sites in Lhoka: The Tombs of Tibetan Kings, Samye Monastery, Traduk Temple, Yumbu Lakhar, Mindroling Monastery, Dorje-drak Monastery, Samding Monastery, etc. Among them, the tombs of Tibetan Kings and the Samye Monastery are on national level protection list. There are the sacred mountains like the Chasam Chuwori of Gonggar County, the sacred Abort Mountain of Samye and the Gangpo Ri hill of Tsetang. The region also has sacred lakes likeYamdrok Yutso in Nagartse County and the Lhamo Latso of Gyatsa county (currently not allowed to visit the site by foreign tourist by 2019)
The Lhoka Region has one scenic region and three tourism sites which have many historic spots Yarlung River Scenic Region: It contains snow mountains, glacier, pasture, river valley, alpine vegetation, historic sites and simple folk customs. Lying at the southern part of the Lhoka Region, it is the origin of the Tibetan people. The region has a multitude of plant and animal resources that are distributed vertically along the valleys and mountains. In places of interest, there are the Yumbulakhar, the earliest palace in Tibetan Yarlung dynasty; the Samye Monastery, the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet, the Traduk Temple which is on State level protection and the Tombs of the Tibetan Kings. The region maintains the folk custom, architecture and religious activities of centuries ago with distinctive local flavor. In 1988. the region Joined the second group of State level scenic areas Yamdrok Yutso Tourism Site: The Yamdrok Yutso site gathers lake, snow mountains, glacier, islands, pasture, hot spring, wildlife, monastery and other spots into one SamyeTourism Site: The area includes many historical and cultural sites in the Dranang County, such as the Samye monastery, Hepori Mountain and the Drak Yangzong Karst cave, Sacred Lake Tourism Site: In the counties of Sangri Chosum and Gyatsa, there are mountains, valleys, cuckoo flowers, sacred rivers, hot springs, sacred religious sites andancient architectures. The natural scenery is formed with Lhamo Latso, Chiga Hot Spring and others. There are also historic sites like monasteries and the Lagyable palace
The local special products include: the pulu blanket and
Mindroling brand Tibetan incense of Dranang; pulu blanket and Bangten apron of Gonggar; the bracelet, necklace, butter lamp and incense burner of Chongye; the carpet and glazed butter bottle of Chosum; the utensils made of stone or aga poplar branches of Sangri; the Legbu wooden bowl of Tsona; the lagong butter, butter tea cup and silver gilded Tibetan knife of Lhuntse; and the Yamdrok dried meat, Yamdrok Tibetan quilt and silver tea cup of Nagartse