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Shannan Prefecture also known as the Lhoka Prefecture is a prefecture in the southeastern area of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Lhoka Prefecture has the Gonggar County under its jurisdiction with the Gonggar Choide Monastery, the Gonggar Dzong, and the Gonggar Airport near the Gonggar town.
Located in the middle and lower stretches of the ancient Yarlung Valley, formed by the Yarlung Tsangpo River, Lhoka Prefecture is known as the birthplace of Tibetan civilization. It is bounded by prefectures of Lhasa on the north, Nyingchi to the east, Xigazê on the west, and the International border with India and Bhutan on the south. The prefecture measures 420 kilometres (260 mi) east to west and 329 kilometres (204 mi) from north to south. Its uniqueness is because the first farmland, the first palace and the first Buddhist monastery of Tibet are all located in the prefecture. It also has the distinction of holding the first Tibetan opera. Tibetan people constitute 98% of the population and the balance 2% comprise the ethnic groups of Han, Hui, Mönpa, Lhoba and other nationalities.
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