Things to Do in Shigatse

Boasting Mount Everest, Sakya Monastery and Tashilhunpo Monastery , there are plenty of things to do in Shigatse. Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet, Shigatse has the extremely beautiful scenery of plateau. At Shigatse, you can know about the history and culture of Shigatse and Tibet by visiting the ancient monasteries and architectures. You can also get close to the highest peak in the world at the Mount Everest Base Camp. You will see snow peaks, valleys, glaciers, lakes and Tibstan houses, etc.

Enjoy the Stunning Sunrise of the Mount Everest

Mount Everest, or Mount Qomolangma, is the highest mountain on earth, meaning “Goddess” in Tibetan language, with an altitude of 8, 848.13 metres. Mt. Everest stands at the south of Tingri County at the border of the central Himalayas between China and Nepal, capped with eternal snow. Its snow peak reflects silver radiance from the sun year after year with its waist hidden in the clouds.

The best time to visit Mount Everest is from April to June, which is a golden period for mountaineers, as it is not rain or snow to much. Each year, a great number of brave mountaineers come from all over the world to explore the highest mountain on the earth, to accomplish their life-long dream.

Mt Everest 1

Stroll Around the Sakya Monastery

Sakya Monastery, Situated 160 km west of Shigatse, is the principal monastery of the Sakyapa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The medieval Mongolian architecture of it is quite different from temples in Lhasa and Yarlung. Sakya Monastery is reputed as the “Second Dunhuang” because of its colossal collection of numerous Tibetan Buddhist scriptures, murals and Thangkas.

The main halls inside the monastery are the Dajing Hall, the Buddhism Hall and the hall where the Sakya archbishop lived, which were built in the style of Yuan architectures.

Visit the Tashihunpo Monastery

Tashilhunpo Monastery is one of the six large monasteries in Tibet founded by the First Dalai Lama in 1447. It is the seat of the Panchen Lama, the second ranking person in the Gelugpa of Tibetan Buddhist hierarchy, just next to the Dalai Lama. In the monastery, there preserve the tombs of Panchen Lamas and statue of Maitreya Buddha with a height of 22.4 meter. Tashilhunpo is still popular among the Tibetans now, and many believers come here for pilgrimage.

Standing at the entrance of Tashilhunpo Monastery, you can see the grand buildings with golden roofs and white walls. There is a nine-floor-high Tangka wall, which displays the images of Buddha on the 14th, 15th and 16th of May every year according to the Tibetan Calendar.

Tanshilunpo Monastery 5

Photogragh at the Pelkor Chode Monastery

Pelkor Chode Monastery, located 100 km east of Shigatse, is a monastery combining the architectural characteristics of Han, Tibetan and Nepali. As it houses three sects: Sakyapa, Kadampa and Gelugpa at the same time, it enjoys a high status in Tibet Buddhism history.

Referring to Tibetan Calendar, Saka Dawa Festival is held on April 15th every year to commemorate Sakyamuni, who is the founder of Buddhism. During the festival, there will be about 500 Lamas chanting sutras and the loyal pilgrims gathering in the monastery. It housing about a hundred thousand images of various icons, in total there are about 3,000 statues.

Stop at the Zhangmu Town

Zhangmu Town borders Nepal to the south. It is only 10 km away fromSino-Nepal Friendship Bridge and another 100 km's driving will lead you to Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. Different from other areas in Tibet, it is not dry and cold but mild and humid, due to its subtropical climate. Zhangmu port is always crowded with tourists and business may from various counries.

The free trade market near the Friendship Bridge has formed spontaneously for more than 8 years, which is now still bustling. According to an agreement between Chinese and Nepalese governments, people living near the border may cross the border freely within 30km (18 miles) from the border. Every day, hundreds of Nepalese and Chinese merchants are doing their business at the Zhangmu Town.

Get Close to the Karola Glacier

Karola Glacier is located at the junction of Langkazi County, Shannan of Tibet and Gyangze County in Shigatse. It is one of the three continental glaciers in Tibet and the closest glacier to the highway. Karola Glacier is located in the south slope of Naiqin Kangsang Peak, one of the four largest peaks in middle Tibet. The upper part of the glacier is an ice cap with a gentle slope, and the lower part is two glacier tongue. At Karola Glacier, you can get close to the mystery and charm of the nature.

Visit the Peikucuo Lake

Peikucuo Lake is located in Nyalam County of Shigatse, which is 250 kilometers away from Dingri County. Covering an area of more than 300 square kilometers, Peikucuo Lake is the largest lake in Shigatse. Surrounded by mountains on three sides, the lake is vast and rich in fish resources. There are wild horses, Tibetan wild donkeys, Tibetan antelopes, cranes, yellow ducks, grey ducks and other animal on the shore of the Peikucuo Lake.

In late autumn, waterfowl on the shore make Peikucuo Lake more attractive. The Shishapangma Peak is located about 60 kilometers from the southern Peikucuo Lake. It is said that anyone who can photograph Shishapangma Peak in Pekucuo will have good luck.

Sangzhuzizong Castle

Sangzhuzizong Castle is located on Zongshan Mountain in Sangzhuzi District of Shigatse City, which is the highest point in Shigatse City. Built in the early 14th century, it is called Little Potala Palace in Shigatse and has its unique historical position and cultural value.

In terms of architectural style, Sangzhuzizong Castle and Potala Palace have something in common, both of which are built on the mountain with red walls and golden roofs. The castle is divided into four floors, with more than 300 houses and a construction area of 12,000 square meters. The functional settings are also very similar. Both of them are divided into red and white buildings. There are similarities in the details of the walls. There are also exquisite reliefs and murals on the walls of the castle.