Shannan is called Yalong River in history. Located in the south of Gangdise Mountain to Nyainqentanglha Mountain, the mother river of Tibetan people-the intersection of Yalong River and Yarlung Zangbo River. Shannan is the birthplace of Tibetans because of its mild climate, beautiful environment and unique natural conditions.

Shannan terrain gradually decreases from west to east. There are many glaciers in the snow-capped mountains in Shannan, and there are more than 10 snow-capped mountains above 6000m above sea level, among which five peaks are open to the public, distributed in the three counties of Cuona, Loza and Langkazi, with an average elevation of nearly 7000m and a maximum of 7554m. In addition, there are Yala Xiangbu Snow Mountain and Wodegong Snow Mountain in Naidong and Sangri counties, with an average elevation of more than 6,000 meters, and the original glaciers do not melt all year round.