Shigatse Overview
Bordering Nepal, Bhutan and India, Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet, which is known as the seat of Penchen Lama and 'the fertile manor'. With a long history of more than 600 years, Shigatse was once the educational and political center of Tsang Area. Here the highest peak in the world, Mount Qomolangma is standing here.
Where is Shigatse
Located in the southwest of Tibet, Shigatse is the southwestern border of China that borders Nepal, Bhutan and India to its south. And it connects Ngari to the west, Nagqu to the north, Lhasa and Lhoka to the east. Shigatse is located in at 82 degrees east longitude and 27 degrees north latitude, covering an area of 182,000 square kilometers.
Basic Information
● Chinese Name: 日喀则
● Population: 845,300(in 2017)
● Area: 182,000 square kilometers
● Zip code: 857000
● Dialing code: (+86) 0892
● Average Altitude: 4000 meters
Shigatse Climate
The annual sunshine duration of Shigatse is up to 3300 hours. The climate of western part is cold and its average temperature is 0℃. As for the eastern part, the weather is not so hot in summer and cold in winter with a average temperature of 6.3℃. Every October to next April, Shigatse is dry, cold and windy, belonging to dry season. The precipitation of the period during May to September occupies more than 90% of the total. At that time, especially in July and August, Shigatse often rains at night.
Shigatse Attractions
Shigatse is a charming place with beautiful natural landscapes and rich cutural sights. From towering Mount Everest, magnificent old-growth forest, mysterious famous monasteries and characteristic cultural customs of Tsang, tourists can interpretate the development process of Tibetan society and will be thrilled at the colorful historical relics.
1. Mount Qomolangma: As the highest peak in the world, Qomolangma stands at the altitude of 8844.43 meters(2005), which is the dream of mountaineering enthusiasts.
2. Tashilhumpo Monastery: It is the largest monastery of Gelu sect of Tibetan Buddhism in Tsang area and the major activity place for Panchen Lama.
3. Sakya Monastery: The main monastery of Sakya sector with splendid artistic treasures, such as frescoes and Thangka.
4. Palcho Monastery: The only monastery enjoying special position that coexists three sectors of Tibetan Buddhism, Sakya, Ganden and Gelu.
Shigatse Minority Culture
Tibetan is the main native in Shigatse with a total population of 651,828. And people in Shigatse will celebrate New Year for four times: Western New Year on January 1, Chinese New Year, Tibetan New Year and Tsang New Year. Among them, Tsang New Year is the most important and ceremonious festival. Shigatse is famous as 'the hometown of song and dance', the enthusiastic and happy dances, Re-ba and Sgor-Gzhas, are distinctive.
What to Eat in Shigatse
There are many restaurants in decoration of Tibetan style of different levels in Shigatse and the Tibetan food are served, such as highland barley wine, buttered tea, mutton and roast sausage, etc. Night market near the bus station is popular. And Tibetan restaurants and Sichuan restaurants are clustered around North Jiefang Road and Qomolangma Road.
Shigatse Transportation
Tourists can get to Shigatse by air or long-distance bus. The Lhasa-Shigatse Railway is still being built now. And the Shigatse Peace Airport mainly operates the round-trip flights from Chengdu in Sichuan Province to Shigatse. Shigatse is the transportation center of Tibet because of its extending in all directions.
Best Time to Visit Shigatse
Shigatse is a ideal travel destination with moderate climates and rich sunshine so that tourists can appreciate beautiful landscapes all year round. Every July and August are the rainy season of Shigatse and it always rains at night. If you would like to explore Mount Everest, it's recommended to travel from April to June because the severe cold weather from November to April in the following year is not suitable to do climbing. And the rainy season in July and August make it difficult to see Mount Everest.
