Sumthrang translates as "the place of tri-junction." This is because the east-west travel route via Tang valley passes through Sumthrang while a path from Ura in its south ends at Sumthrang forming a tri-junction. The village of Sumthrang was born from the establishment of Dechen Sumthrang Samdrup Choezong monastey by Nyo Dechog in around 1220s.