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Shigatse - Most comprehensive natural landscapes in Tibet

Shigatse or Xigaze Prefecture is located in the mid-south of Tibet, with an average elevation of over 4000 m. It neighbours Lhasa to the east, Ngari to the west, Nagqu to the north, Bhutan, Sikkim and Nepal lie to its south. The administration office of the region is located at the city of Shigatse, 228 kilometres away from Lhasa. Besides the city of Shigatse, the region also includes 17 counties, and among them are the famous Gyantse and Tingri. Covering a total area of 180,000 square kilometres, the region has a population of 662,100 (by the year 2005).

Attractions

Shigatse Region is the most complete showcase of typical Tibetan natural landscapes from vast plateau pasture and beautiful cultivated fields to subtropical forests and bellowing snow-capped mountains. The Mount Qomolangma State Nature Reserve is the world's highest and most intact ecological system vertically distributed. The area's major historical sites include the monasteries of Tashilhunpo, Xalhu, Natang, Sagya, Rongbo, Jo-nang and Palkor. There are also the Pala Manor and the battle ruins against British forces at the Dzong Hill of Gyangze.

Shigatse is recognized internationally as the most suitable place for mountain climbing. Tibet has been developing the area for mountain-climbers. The highest mountains along the Himalayas all gather here. Five Tibetan peaks higher than 8,000 metres all stand here: Mount Qomolangma (8,843.13m), Lozi (8,516m), Markalu (8,463m), Qowowuyag (8,201 m) and Xixabangma (8,012m). Since 1980, the Chinese Government has opened the climbing routes of 44 mountains in or partly inside Tibet. In recent years, about over 20 overseas mountain-climbing teams visit Mount Qomolangma every year.

Recommended Travel Route

On the way from Lhasa to Gyantse, visit Yamdrok Lake (one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet) and the amazing Karola glacier, continue to Gyantse to appreciate its fascinating Kumbum Stupa & Palkor Chode Monastery, and then arrive in the city of Shigatse.

After a city tour in Shigatse, head south and visit the Rongbuk Monastery (the highest monastery in the world, 5145 metres above sea level) and after an eight- kilometer journey, arrive at the Everest Base Camp of Mount Everest (the starting point for climbing the Mt. Everest and also the best spot to view the breathtaking Mt. Everest).

Local Products

Some of the special products of Shigatse include: silver-covered wooden bowl, tea tray and tea cup holder, Tibetan carpet and gold-rimmed cap of Shigatse; butter lantern, silver bowl and Tibetan knife of Sagya County; wool carpets for sitting or hanging and woman's gold-rimmed cap of Gyangze County; waist sword and boot of Lhaz6 County; silver bowl, silver waist band button and pottery jar of Tingri County; the Zeji back sack of Kangma County; the wooden bowl and bamboo ware of Gyirong County; the Yadong fish, wool and highland barley wine of Yadong County; the Kaga Tibetan knife of Xaitongmoin County; the Sangsang butter of Ngamring County; the Tibetan paper and Gamba sheep cream of Gamba County; the jade ware and carpet of Rinbung County; the Dongga Tibetan boot, Wangdan carpet, Baigang Tibetan incense and Bainang zamba of the Bainang County.

Transportation

There is no airport in Shigatse region. The Lhasa Gongga Airport is about 400 kilomieters away from the city of Shigatse. The China-Nepal International Road crosses Shigatse, while the 219 State Road connects the region with Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. By way of Ny6mo, one can reach the Qinghai-Tibet Highway and Qinghai-Tibet Railway.