[2] Tingri used to be an important trading post where Sherpas from Nepal exchanged rice, grain and iron for Tibetan wool, livestock and salt.

Shallow, fast-flowing rivers of melted snow water make its grassy meadowland ideal for grazing for Tibetan animals.

The plain used to abound with gazelles, blue sheep, antelopes and khyang or wild asses but most of the animals are gone now.

Tingri Lankor (Ding ri glang 'khor) — Padampa's Residence was founded in 1097 CE by the South Indian Buddhist adept, Padampa Sangye (died 1117) who made five visits to Tibet and was an important person in the re-establishment of the Buddhadharma in Tibet.

The gompa or temple was built in the Padampa Sange's meditation cave and became the seat of the Dampapa School of Tibetan Buddhism.