• Shigatse Tibet Travel 2024/2025
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  • Shigatse Tibet Everest 2024/2025
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Authentic Tibetan Culture

Shigatse Travel Guide - Attractions, Weather, Transfer

Shigatse (or Xigaze) is a famous prefecture of Tibet Autonomous Region which is full of wonderful travel destinations. Its capital Shigatse City is the second largest city in Tibet, lying about 250km southwest from Lhasa, and 90km northwest from Gyantse. The world’s highest mountain, "the third pole of earth" - Mount Everest is dominating in Tingri County of Shigatse Prefecture. Every year, thousands of travelers come from all over the world to Shigatse to challenge the utmost limits of human beings and appreciate the spectacularity of - Mount Everest. Shigatse, means "the fertile land" in Tibetan, has played an important role in Tibetan history. It is the granary of Tibet, the second culture center of Tibet. Tashilhunpo Monastery, the largest monastery in Shigatse Prefecture, is the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas, one of two highest leaders of Tibetan Buddhism.

Shigatse - Where the Real Adventures Start!

Travelers are attracted to Shigatse to enjoy its Fantastic nature views, characteristic Tibetan life and splendid Monasteries. They usually travel from Lhasa to Gyantse, an administrative town of Shigatse to explore the famous Gyantse Dzong and Kumba (Palcho Monastery), then stop at Shigatse to visit the holy Tashilhun Monastery. From Shigatse, some travelers go to take adventures to Mount Everest, some go to explore remote and wild Ngari where there is Mount Kailash and Manasarovar Lake.

Top Shigatse Attractions

Shigatse has the richest travel resources in Tibet – influential Tibetan monasteries, magnificent snow mountains, stunning lakes, unique culture… There are nearly 100 different kinds of attraction located in different parts of Shigatse Prefecture. The most famous one of course is Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world. The second highlight of Shigatse is the spectacular monasteries of different sects of Tibetan Buddhism – Sakya Monastery, Tashilhunpo Monastery, Palcho Monastery, Rongbuk Monastery, etc. Check following top recommended attractions in Shagatse:

Mt. Everest

Type: Camping & Hiking & Photograph

Altitude: 8,848 meters

Best time to visit: Summer & Autumn

Mt. Everest, the top of the World, is the must-go destination of your life journey. As the goal achievement of many mountaineers, it shows the most beautiful natural beauty in the world, including perennial snow, amazing sunrise and sunset, dazzling starry sky etc.

Everest Base Camp

Type: Camping & Hiking & Photograph

Altitude: 5,200 meters

Best time to visit: Summer & Autumn

Everest Base Camp is the most desirable and reachable place for tourists to take a panoramic view of Mount Everest – the highest peak in the world. Besides, it acts as an important scientific observation base and Mt. Everest mountaineering headquarters.

Tashilumpo Monastery

Type: Architecture & Culture

Altitude: 3,880 meters

Best time to visit: Summer & Autumn

Tashilhunpo Monastery is the seat of successive Panchen Lamas. Founded by the First Dalai Lama, it is an important monastery in Tibetan history. It keeps many treasures, including the priceless Future Buddha Statue, precious Buddha Stupas, and more manuscript Buddhist texts and numerous murals.

Palcho Monastery

Type: Architecture & Culture

Altitude: 3,900 meters

Best time to visit: Summer & Autumn

Palcho Monastery is a typical combined building with stupa and temple, and quite different from other Tibetan monasteries in more aspects. By housing three sects of Sakyapa, Kadampa and Gelugpa together, it has a hard-won lenient tolerance among the Tibetan sects to balance them well.

Sakya Monastery

Type: Architecture & Culture

Altitude: 4,300 meters

Best time to visit: Summer & Autumn

Sakya Monastery is the principal monastery of the Sakyapa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, located in Sakya County, about 160km southwest of Shigatse, on the road to Tingri in Tibet. Built in 1073 by Khon Khonchong Gyalpo, on the hill side with gray earth surrounded, it means the “Grey Soil” in Tibetan.

Rongbuk Monastery

Type: Religious Sites, Historical building

Altitude: 4,980 meters

Best time to visit: Summer & Autumn

Rongbuk Monastery, with ancient buildings and peaceful environment, is the world's highest monastery above sea level. Reaching to its perfect desk to appreciate the breathtaking view of Mt.Everest. Prepare to climb higher and higher!

Pala Manor

Type: Historical Architecture

Altitude: 4029 meters

Best time to visit: Four Seasons

Interested about the old Tibet? Want to explore the Tibetan slavery system and curious about the landlord’s lifestyle? Here in Pala Manor, a well-preserved serf manor located in Gyantse as the epitome of Tibet’s past, you witness the old Tibetan society of privilege and slavery, which is a good place to know the Tibet history.

Useful Shigatse Travel Notes

  • 1. How to Plan Shigatse Travel
    There are two classic travel itineraries to Shigatse Prefecture: 1) Lhasa – Yamdrok Lake – Gyantse – Shigatse; This itinerary aims to present you the landscape of Golden Triangle Cities of Tibet - Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse. You will arrive at and start your trip from Lhasa, the political and Buddhist center of Tibet. Then you will drive far away from Lhasa, via Gyantse, to Shigatse. There are too many things to do along the journey - visit holy lake Yamdrok, giant glaciers of Karola, unique Palcho Monastery, sacred Tashilunpo Monastery, the hometown of Tibet incense, etc. 2) Lhasa – Gyantse – Shigatse – Mount Everest. This itinerary offers you a complete Tibet tour and weaves together Tibet's most famous sites into a package. Apart from viewing the wonders in Lhasa, Gyantse and Shigatse, you will discover the alpine lakes, blue skies, snow-capped mountains, amazing sunrise and sacred sites, and deeply devoted pilgrims on your way to Mt. Everest. You must get an unforgettable experience.
  • 2. Necessary Permits for Visiting Shigatse Prefecture
    When you travel in Shigatse Prefecture, you will need several specific permits. There are two situations: 1) If you just explore Shigatse City, Gyantse Town, Sakya Town, you only need two permits - Tibet Travel Permit and Alien Travel Permit; 2) If you travel beyond Lhatse to Mount Everest or Kathmandu, you will need three permits - Tibet Travel Permit and Alien Travel Permit. Besides these permits, you must have valid passport and Chinese visa.
  • 3. High Altitudes in Shigatse Prefecture
    The attitudes differ by regions in Shigatse Prefecture – Gyantse (4050m), Shigatse City (3950m), Tingri (4300m), Sakya Monastery (4300m), Rongbuk Monastery (4980m), EBC (5200m), and Mount Everest (8848m). Generally speaking, the attractions in Shigatse will be higher than Lhasa. We suggest you spend some days in Lhasa first for acclimatization, then travel to Shigatse city, even Mount Everest. According to our years’ experience, most travelers had acclimatized themselves very well to the altitudes in Shigatse after the orientation in Lhasa. The biggest challenge occurs in Mount Everest where travelers usually spend a night. You may suffer slightly from high altitude sickness in the arrival night but most travelers can make it through. Your tour operator will also prepare oxygen supply for emergency use.
  • 4. Packing and Wearing Ideas for Shigatse Travel
    Remember to pack and wear for high plateau travel. Keep warm and protect yourself from the harsh natural power is the biggest thing to concern. You are suggested to dress in layers (both thin and thick jackets). If you want to go to Mount Everest, down jacket is also recommended. A pair of gloves is also helpful for possible snow at Mount Everest. You should also bring rain gears if you travel in July and August. The ultraviolet light is quite strong, so you have to bring sunglasses, snow glasses, hats, lip balm, sun block to protect yourself from sunburn. If you want to have a trek on Mount Everest, you have to wear trekking shoes and clothing, and pack trekking and camping gears.

Most Recommended Shigatse Tour Packages

Following are some other recommended Shigatse tour packages that you may be interested in. All of our Tibet tour packages are customizable to meet your personal requirements. You can also contact us to customize a trip if you want.

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