Kham Nangchen was once an independent kingdom of east Tibet ruled by the Nangchen King. Its territory corresponds to the upper reaches of five main Mekong feeder rivers; Ngomchu, Dochu, Tsichu, Dzachu, and Kyangchu. It includes the region of Surmang in the east, proper Nangchen in the west, and Jegudo.
Currently, it is a county under Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Qinghai Province. It has seven townships under Nangchen jurisdiction. The rolling grasslands, dramatic limestone, sandstone cliffs, and pristine nature reserves combine to make Kham Nangchen one of the most exciting and beautiful parts of Kham.
Nangchen county is an estimated 78 monasteries and has one of the largest national forest reserves in the Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. The Shonda is the county capital and which about 193 km from Yushu. The locals are primarily nomads and farmers.
