Shigatse Old Town
Shigatse Old Town spreads below Tashilhunpo Monastery, its lanes lined with Tibetan houses, silversmiths and sweet-tea shops. The kora path circles the monastery wall and fills with pilgrims towards dusk.
Overview
Quick facts about Shigatse Old Town
Shigatse Old Town spreads below Tashilhunpo Monastery, its lanes lined with Tibetan houses, silversmiths and sweet-tea shops. The kora path circles the monastery wall and fills with pilgrims towards dusk.
| Type | Historic District |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 3,840 m (12,598 ft) |
| Visit length | About 1.5 hours |
| Opening hours | Shops ~09:30–21:00; street open all day |
| Good to know | Walk the kora clockwise; keep clear of the monastery entrances at prayer times. |
How to visit
Practical advice from our Lhasa team.
- Walk slowly. Steep stairs at altitude are harder — come on your second or third day, not the day you arrive.
- Taxi drop-off: Nearest drop-off at the street entrance
- Bus: City buses stop at the district edge
Hotels near Shigatse Old Town
Sorted by walking or driving distance when we have it; otherwise hotels we use in the same city.
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.
Nearby
Questions
Visiting Shigatse?
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