Shigatse: History, Attractions, Travel Tips

 

Fast Facts about Shigatse 

Area: 179,240 square kilometers
Altitude: 3850 meters (Shigatse city)
Population: 799,500 (including 89.9% Tibetan, others are Han, Hui, Mongolian)
Geography: Shigatse connects with Lhasa, Nagqu, Shannan and Ngari in Tibet, and borders Nepal, Bhutan, India to the south.
Weather/Climate: Elevation-influenced humid continental climate, with long sunlit periods, strong ultraviolet radiation; Experiences cold winters and mild summers.

History and Overview of Shigatse 

As the second-largest city in Tibet, Shigatse is located in the southwestern part of the Tibet Autonomous Region, and about 280 km southwest of Lhasa at an elevation of 3,850 meters (12,500 feet) above sea level. It is situated at the confluence of the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) and Nyang rivers (Shigatse means “the fertile land” in Tibetan), making Shigatse an important transportation hub and cultural center on the plateau.

Shigatse City

Shigatse has a long history dating back over 600 years. It used to be the traditional capital of the Tsang province and seat of the kings of Ü-Tsang, one of Tibet's most important historical regions. In 2014, Shigatse became a prefecture-level city, and it’s only the second prefecture-level city in Tibet after Lhasa. 

Shigatse is also the birthplace of Lhamo, or commonly known as Tibetan opera, which originated from 14 centuries. Apart from the folk arts, the city serves as a base for mountain trekking due to its proximity to Mount Everest National Park.

The Main Attractions in Shigatse 

Shigatse, of course, is another important center of Tibetan culture and spirituality besides Lhasa. Whether one is drawn by its religious significance, cultural richness, or natural splendor, Shigatse remains an essential destination for anyone exploring the wonders of the Tibetan Plateau. The landscape surrounding Shigatse is breathtaking, characterized by high-altitude plateaus, rugged mountains, and pristine rivers. The greater Shigatse area offers a variety of activities and attractions to suit all interests, from ancient monasteries to Himalayan marvels including Mount Everest. Here are some of the top things to do in Shigatse:

Tashilhunpo Monastery
At the heart of Shigatse lies the Tashilhunpo Monastery, one of the most prominent landmarks in the city. Founded in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama - Gedun Drub, Tashilhunpo serves as the traditional seat of Panchen Lama (the second highest ranking lama in the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism). The name "Tashilhunpo" means "Heap of Glory" in Tibetan, and the monastery is a cluster of buildings with golden rooftops and white walls, containing numerous chapels and assembly halls. Another key feature is the monastery houses a 26.2 meters gilded statue of the Maitreya Buddha (Future Buddha), which is the largest such statue in the world. 

Tashilhunpo Monastery

Shalu Monastery
Founded in 1040, Shalu Monastery is a small but historically significant monastery located about 20-22 km southeast of Shigatse in Tibet. The architecture of Shalu Monastery is a unique blend of Tibetan and Chinese styles, reflecting the cultural exchange during the Yuan dynasty because of the reconstruction from an earthquake by many Han artisans in the 14th century. The monastery features traditional Tibetan design elements along with Chinese-style pagodas and intricate woodwork. The monastery was also renowned for its psychic training, as well as its mural paintings, which were considered to be the most ancient and beautiful in Tibet. Plus, there’s also an off the beaten path for trekking from Shalu Monastery to another small monastery - Nartang Monastery.

Sakya Monastery
Located about 130 km to the southwest of Shigatse city, you’ll find Sakya Monastery, which is known as the “Dunhuang of Tibet” due to its huge collection of ancient manuscripts, exquisite murals and thangkas ((Tibetan Buddhist paintings). The monastery was founded in 1073, and its name "Sakya" means "pale earth" in Tibetan language, referring to the greyish soil of the region where it was built. Sakya Monastery is the seat of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism, which emphasizes scholarly learning and tantric practices. This monastery reached its peak and was once the religious center of Tibet when the fifth leader of the Sakya school Chögyal Phagpa established a close relationship with the Mongol rulers of China in the 13th century.

Everest Base Camp
Shigatse is actually a gateway to several notable Himalayan mountains including Mount Everest [8844m], Mount Lhotse [8516m], Mount Makalu [8463m], Mount Cho Oyu [8201m] and Mount Shishapangma [8027m]. The journey to the Tibetan side Everest Base Camp at the elevation of 5100 meters is a popular route, providing stunning views of the world’s highest peak. In addition, unlike the South Base Camp in Nepal, which requires a multi-day trek, Tibet EBC can be reached by vehicle via a paved road from Shigatse city.

Mount Everest

Some More Shigatse Travel Tips 

As a popular destination for travelers exploring the Tibetan Plateau, of course you don’t want to miss Shigatse in your tour itinerary. Here are some useful travel tips to help you make the most of your visit to Shigatse:

How to travel to Shigatse from Lhasa?

The most popular way to travel to Shigatse from Lhasa is by taking the scenic route passing by  Yamdrok Lake and Gyantse. This one day trip is roughly 360 km, and the landscape along the way is stunning, you’ll have a chance to view the famous Karola Glacier en route, as well as a tour to Kumbum Stupa in Gyantse town. 

On the way back, a newer highway between Lhasa and Shigatse completed in 2024 only takes about 3 hours. Or if you wish to experience a Tibetan railway on the plateau, there are 2 trains daily between the cities, and the train ride takes about 2:40 hours.

Where to stay in Shigatse? 

Shigatse offers a range of accommodation options that cater to different preferences and budgets. Whether you're looking for luxury, mid-range, or budget-friendly stays, the city has something to suit every traveler. The 4-star Gesar Hotel suits most of tourists, however, if you’d like to stay at an international 5-star hotel, Hilton Shigatse is the best choice. 

When is the best time to visit Shigatse?

The best time to visit Shigatse is from April to October. This period offers the most favorable weather conditions for travel and sightseeing. However, if you are keen for visiting Mount Everest Base Camp, July and August are rainy season and are considered slightly less favorable than other months due to the the possible foggy weather.

Popular Tours including Shigatse