Shigatse

日喀则 · City

Shigatse is the second city of Tibet and the seat of the Panchen Lama. It is the usual overnight stop between Lhasa and Everest Base Camp, 250 km west of Lhasa.

See stays
Altitude3,840 m (12,600 ft)
Distance from Lhasa250 km, about 4.5 hours by car
Main sightTashilhunpo Monastery
Days needed1 night

Overview

Quick facts about Shigatse

Quick answer

Shigatse is the second city of Tibet and the seat of the Panchen Lama. It is the usual overnight stop between Lhasa and Everest Base Camp, 250 km west of Lhasa.

Altitude3,840 m (12,600 ft)
Distance from Lhasa250 km, about 4.5 hours by car
Main sightTashilhunpo Monastery
Days needed1 night
Best time to visitApril to October
PermitTibet Travel Permit and Aliens’ Travel Permit

Journeys in Shigatse

Tours in Shigatse. Permit filing is included in every price.

8 days · Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Kathmandu
8 Days Lhasa, EBC to Kathmandu Overland Tour (Slow Pace)
15 days · Lhasa, Shigatse
15 Days Tibet Mountain Bike Tour: Lhasa to EBC - 710km Adventure Ride
7 days · Kathmandu, Shigatse, Lhasa
7 Days Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland Tour without EBC
8 days · Kathmandu, Shigatse, Lhasa
8 Days Kathmandu to Lhasa Overland Adventure Tour with EBC Experience
10 days · Xining, Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse
10 Days Tibet Nepal Tour from Xining to Lhasa & EBC, Overland by Gyirong Border
13 days · Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse, Kathmandu
13 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Tour via Gyirong with EBC & Mount Kailash Trek
See all journeys

Stays in Shigatse

Hotels we use on our tours, with oxygen rooms marked.

Shigatse
Tian Lin Hotel
Shigatse
Jiangzi Nyangchu Manor House Hotel
Shigatse
Vienna International Hotel (Shigatse Railway Station)
Shigatse
METEORLAND Hotel (Binhe Road, Sangzhuzi District, Shigatse)
Shigatse
Shigatse Summer Palace Healing Hotel
Shigatse
QoMoLangZong Hotel Kayrung
See all stays

Best time to visit

Average daily high and low in °C, and monthly rain in mm. Winter is cold and dry, with fewer visitors and lower hotel prices.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec23°-10°130 mm
Daily highDaily lowRain
BestGoodCold or limited access

Permit

What foreign visitors need before arrival.

Quick answer

Yes. All foreign visitors need a Tibet Travel Permit, and some areas need extra permits. We file them for you with every booking.

Nearby regions

Lhasa

Potala, Jokhang and the old town

Explore
Everest region

North base camp and Rongbuk Monastery

Explore
Namtso

High-altitude lake near Lhasa

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Nyingchi

Blossoms and canyons at low altitude

Explore
Shannan

Yarlung Valley, Samye and Yumbulagang

Explore
Nagqu

Changtang grassland and northern plateau

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Questions

Every foreign passport holder does. The Tibet Travel Permit is issued only through registered Tibet agencies, and it is checked at airports, train stations and hotels. We file it with every booking at no extra charge.
No. Foreign travellers need a booked tour with a licensed guide, plus a private vehicle for any route beyond Lhasa. A fixed-departure group seat is the cheapest way to travel.
April to October is the main season. May–June and September–October have the clearest mountain views; July and August are greener but wetter.
The train from Xining or Beijing is a slow, scenic climb that helps with acclimatisation. Flights from Chengdu, Xi’an or Kathmandu save a day or two.

Visiting Shigatse?

Tell us your dates. A Lhasa specialist replies within one working day with a day-by-day plan and a price.