The city of Shigatse is in the south of Tibet at the confluence of Yalu Tsangpo River and Nianchu River. Once capital of late Tibet, Shigatse is 3,800 m above sea level and is the 2nd largest city of the province. Its picturesque scenery and unique lifestyle have earned for it the reputation of “the heavenly manor”.
Shigatse Activities:
1. Shigatse Tourist Culture Festival
Time: from the end of September to the beginning of October every year;
Place: the city of Shigatse;
Activities: commercial negotiations, religious performances, Tibetan plays and costume display, etc.
2. Gyangze Dharma Festival
Time: from April, 10th to April 27th;
Place: County Gyangze
Activities: The festival dates back to 1408 and is the Memorial Day of the death of Pabasangbu, the Gyangze King of the Issachar Dynasty. On this day there will be activities such as mounted archery contests, Tibetan plays, singing and dancing, and commodity fair.
Best seasons to visit Shigatse
Shigatse lies in a river valley. The average temperature of the coldest months is 2-12 degrees Celsius, and that of the hottest months 10-18 degrees Celsius. The annual temperature averages 6.3 degrees Celsius. So it is not a place of extreme weathers. The year is divided into the dry season and the wet season. The rainy season is July and August and it rains mostly at night.
Shigatse has plentiful sunshine, a mild climate, and convenient tourist facilities. So you can and enjoy the natural beauty of this heavenly place at any time of the year. If you are planning an exploration tour on Mount Everest, it is not advisable to schedule it for October to April when Shigatse is perishing cold. If you are coming especially to see the splendor of Mount Everest, you should not schedule your trip for July or August when the mountain is often heavily veiled by rain. The best season to view Mount Everest is from April to June.
Shigatse Route: (none available)
Shigatse Ticket
Yangzhuoyongcuo: RMB 40
Palkor Chode: RMB 40
Mount Gyangze: 30
Tashilhunpo Monastery: RMB 55
Shalu Monastery: RMB 20
Penchan New Palace: RMB 30
Sagya Monastery: RMB 45
Rongbu Monastery: RMB 25
Mount Everest: RMB 180
Mountain-entry fare (by coach): RMB 400
How to get to Shigatse:
1. By air
The Shigatse Airport is opent on October the 30th, 2010. It is the fifth airport in Tibet. Tourists can reach Shigatse by air from Chengdu in Sichuan Province. Currently flights to the Shigatse Airport is rare.
2. By train
There is no railway to Shigatse right now so it is not an option for tourist to reach there by train. The project to build a railway to Shigatse began at September 26th, 2010, and is underway now. Government plan to invest 13.3 billion Yuan on the project and finish it in 4 year.
Transportation System within Shigatse
Shigatse is not a big city. It is convenient to wander in the city on foot. You can also take a tricycle or a taxi. Ticket price of tricycle is 5 Yuan per person, and that of taxi per ride is 11 Yuan. The price is fixed and do not bother to bargain with the drivers.
If you plan to visit Muotuo Village, Zhangmu Village, Yadong Village, Dingri Village (It is the village where Mount Everest locates.), or other border areas, you need to get a permission. For Zhangmu Viliage and Dingri Village, fill in the “Nielamu County” on your application, and for Yadong Village, fill in “Yadong”. You’d better get the license before you start your trip to Tibet or Shigatse.
Cell phones get receptions in Shigatse and in Dingri Village. But in other surrouding villages of Shigatse, they might not get receptions. If you are going to the Rongbu Monastery or Mount Everest, you’d better bring an extra battery because you can recharge your cell phone there.
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