The great Yaluzangbu is the longest river in Tibet. It runs from the western reaches of this old Shangri La, and finished its journey in the Indian Ocean, after covering 2,057 kilometers and two countries of Tibet and northeast India. Life along the fertile plains of the Yaluzangbu revolves around the river. The western half of the river has fast and dangerous rapids that calm down on reaching the plains of India. In India, the Yaluzangbu is known as the Brahmaputra.
The banks of the Yaluzangbu are home to swans, geese and many kinds of water birds. The Tibetans ferry across the Yaluzangbu on boats made of yak hides. At the shores of the Yalunzangbu, you will see Tibetans engaged in boating, fishing and going about their daily lives.
Major towns of Tibet are located along the Yaluzangbu. The capital, Lhasa, and Shigatse, the second largest city in Tibet, lies along the coast of the Yaluzangbu. Shigatse is home to the Tashilungpo, Shalu, Sakya and Pelkor monasteries. Lhasa is the site of the famous Potala Palace, the earlier home of the Dalai Lama. As you coast down the river, you will see many monasteries and Buddhist shrines along the shores.
