Kyobpa Jigten Sumgön, the founder of the Drikung Kagyu lineage, was a descendant from the Kyura clan from Kham, Eastern Tibet. During the early history of the Drikung Kagyu Order all the throne holders came from the Kyura clan. Although Jigten Sumgön had founded his monastery in Drikung in Central Tibet, from the beginning there were strong ties with his native soil in Kham and he had many followers there. As a result many Drikung Kagyu monasteries were established in Eastern Tibet.
The historically significant monastery Lho Miyel Gön (lho mi g.yel dgon) at the Migyel Cave in Dokham has lost its importance through the course of time. It was the seat of the first Lho Rinpoche, Thrinle Namgyal.
Among the most prominent monasteries in the region until present are Lho Lungkar Gön, Gar Gön, Nyidzong Gön, Drubgyu Gön, Palme Gön, and the nunnery of Tsele Gön.
The Tulkus of Lho Lungkar Gön, Gar Gön and Nyidzong Gön were and still are held in especially high esteem. There is an old tradition among the Drikung Kagyu that certain empowerments and transmissions to the throne holders (the Kyabgon Rinpoches) could only be bestowed by the Tulkus from these monasteries.