Tips for Visiting Shigatse

Shigatse is quite noted for its picturesque natural landscapes and ancient cultural relics, including the world famous Mt. Everest and the noted Tashilhunpo Monastery. The special local folk customs in Shigatse are also of great attraction for tourists from different corners of the world.

Shigatse Prefecture is located in southwestern Tibet, borders on Nepal and Bhutan. Covers a total area of 182,000 square kilometers, Shigatse Prefecture has an average altitude of more than 4000 meters. Shigatse means fertile manor in Tibetan. The annual sunshine duration here is even longer than Lhasa. The noted Tashilhunpo Monastery, Sakya Monastery, Pakhor Monastery and Sharlu Monastery have been the must-visit sites for tourists especially interested in the Tibetan culture in Tsang Area. Among all the monasteries in Shigatse, Tashilhunpo Monastery is the most famous one for it is the residence of the Panchen Lamas.

Tourists planning a Tibet tour to Shigatse should note that the Military Permit is necessary if you are willing to pay a visit to Zhangmu, Yadong, Tingri (Everest Base Camp) and some other counties at the border. As a professional Tibet tour operator, Tibet Tour would always help tourists to obtain all the required permits in advance. Hence, tourists are always required to send us the necessary documents about 20 days in advance.

There is strong mobile signal in Shigatse city and the signal will get weaker in the remote counties, such as Tingri. The electricity supply at Mt. Everest Base Camp and Rongbuk Monastery is quite limited. Tourists are strongly suggested to get your digital camera and mobile phone charged and take your standby battery in case of need.

Before heading to Shigatse, tourists are kindly suggested to have a 2/3 days acclimation in Lhasa for we will climb over few high mountain passes on the way to Shigatse from Lhasa. To avoid any possible headache caused by high altitude, tourists could bring some headache powder. Besides, it is also a good choice to prepare an oxygen carrier in case of need. Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet which only ranks after Lhasa, tourists could get the ordinary equipments in the city easily. In addition, the glucose is pretty effective in the precaution of the high altitude sickness.

For tourists making a visit to Everest Base Camp, enough warm clothes are very necessary. Everest Base Camp is about 5200 meters around the sea level and the temperature there is lower than Shigatse City, especially in the night. It should also be noted that there is a 20-kilometer washboard road to Everest Base Camp. While discussing the Tibet trip with your trip advisor, tourists are highly advised to choose a 4WD vehicle rather than a big size tourist bus.

Besides, regarding the night halt at Everest Base Camp, tourists have to choose the Rongbuk Monastery guesthouse or tent due to the objective condition. For tourists who can't get adjusted to the high altitude there, we have to arrange you to take a night halt at Tingri County Seat which enjoys a much lower elevation. Tourists who've spent a night at Everest Base Camp are always deep impressed by the amazing sunset view and sunrise view here.