Known as the Yarlong area since ancient times, the Shannan region is favored greatly by nature. This region attracts numerous Chinese and foreign tourists with its ancient cultural heritage, rich and strong national. With an average altitude of 3,700m (12,139ft), it is endowed with a hospitably mild climate and a relatively rich amount of rainfall, which, in addition to the wide-spread river valleys, constitutes an ideal environment for such crops as highland barley and buckwheat, thus making the Shannan region the 'granary of Tibet'.