The big mountain east of Zetang Town is the Gonpori Holy Mountain. A cave behind the summit occupies a holy place in the hearts of Tibetans.
According to legend, a holy monkeyn once went to the Gonpori Mountain to practice asceticism. A female demon tried to lure him, but seeing that the monkey remained steadfast, she threatened to kill herself and make everyone else miserable. The holy monkey didn’t know what to do, so he asked for advice from the Buddha, who gave the monkey  the permission to marry the demon, They had offsprings, and as the monkeys multiplied their food source – wild fruit – ran out. The holy monkey was worried about feeding his family, so the Buddha gave him seeds. Subsequently, he led his children to reclaim land around what is now Zetang and planted the seeds. During this time, the monkyes evolved into human form and became the first inhabitants of the Tibet Plateau. Therefore, the Monkey Cave in the Gonpori Mountains is worshiped as the cradle of the Tibetan ethnic group. Zetang, meaning “a flatland where monkeys play,” is regarded as the birthplace of the Tibetan people and their culture. The plot which was sown with holy seeds is now honored as the “first farm plot.”
Tips: During tradtional festivals, local people stream single-file to Gonpori Holy Mountain to pay homage to it and the Monkey Cave. Tourists who visit at festival time will get to see local habits and customs.