Several famous Buddhist figures were born here, including the 7th Dalai Lama, 10th Dalai Lama, four of the Pakpalhas (Wylie: 'phags pa lha), and has strong connections with the eponymous hero of the Epic of King Gesar,[2] as well as the 5th Jamyang Shêpa of Labrang Monastery.

Litang Town is located at an altitude of 4,014 metres (13,169 ft) among open grasslands and surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

The monastery was built by the 3rd Dalai Lama (1543–1588) in 1580 after the king of Lithang, who ruled the region as de facto independent ruler, switched allegiance from the Kagyu to the Gelug.

[5] In August, 2007, a horse-racing festival at Litang was the scene of an impromptu anti-government political speech by Runggye Adak, which was followed by protests calling for his release including 200 people who went to the police station but were allowed to leave unharmed.

[6] A crackdown officially described as "patriotic education campaign" followed in autumn of 2007, including several politically motivated arrests and attempts to force local Tibetans to denounce the 14th Dalai Lama.