The Xiangxiong Kingdom was an important early civilization in Tibet (their kingdom actually extended into what is now much of Western China to the east and into Kashmir to the west). The Xiangxiong flourished on the high plateau, where they not only herded animals but also developed their own written language and the Bon religion. They disappeared sometime in the eighth century after hundreds of years of regional rule. History has them defeated by the Tubo Kingdom, but the culture and bloodline of the Xiangxiong are unaccounted for in Tibet's history, shrouding their disappearance in mystery. Their Bon religion was partly replaced and partly integrated into Buddhism when it was introduced to Tibet in the 7th century.

They left a few clues, however. In fact there seems to be a trail of artifacts across the Tibetan Plateau from the Xiangxiong Kingdom, but two sites draw particular attention. The kingdom's capital appears to be in Zhada, or Zanda, County in Western Tibet. Great relics remain around the site, but it is a remote and difficult place to get to. Other ruins are found near Qongzon in the Nagchu region. The remains of an ancient temple and cave-dwellings dug into the mountains can be visited not far off the Qinghai-Tibet railway. Nearby Tangra Yumco Lake (Tsangyang Gyatso Lake) is said to be the holiest lake of the Bon religion.