{"id":6069,"date":"2021-09-04T23:10:00","date_gmt":"2021-09-04T15:10:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/?p=6069"},"modified":"2021-09-05T23:15:38","modified_gmt":"2021-09-05T15:15:38","slug":"shigatse-trip","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/tibet-travel\/shigatse-travel\/shigatse-trip","title":{"rendered":"Shigatse Trip (Tips, Photos & Map)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Plan your Tibet travel<\/a>? Shigatse is highly recommended to be included on your travel plan if you have enough time for travelling within Tibet. Shigatse refers to both \u201cShigatse City\u201d and \u201cShigatse Prefecture\u201d. Shigatse City is the seat of Shigatse Prefecture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shigatse Prefecture. <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Shigatse Prefecture is composed of one county-level city (Shigatse City), 17 counties and one fort (Zhangmu). The 17 counties include Gyantse, Bailang, Lhatse, Sakya, Gangba, Dingjie, Tingri, Nyalam, Kangma, Yadong, Renbu, Nanmulin, Xietongmen, Jielong, Angren, Shaga and Zhongba. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shigatse Prefecture has a population of over 66,0000 with over a dozen of ethnic groups including Tibetan, Han, Hui, Mongolian, Tu, Manchus and Miao.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shigatse City <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Shigatse City is located 250km southwest of Lhasa and 480km northeast of Zhangmu Fort. It lies at the confluence of Yarlung Zangbo (aka Brahmaputra) River and the Nyang River (Nyanchue) with the altitude of 3800m. Shigatse City administrates 2 subdistricts, and 10 townships around the city. Shigatse City has a population of over 90,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Shigatse City Location ( Google Map)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Shigatse City is the second largest city in Tibet with a history of over 500 years. Historically Shigatse was the ancient capital of \u00dc-Tsang province. Shigatse is also the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Shigatse City Tourist Sketch Map<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Shigatse City is the hub of the transportation network connecting Lhasa, West Tibet, Gyantse, Nepal and Mt.Everest. The National Highway 318 (China Nepal Friendship Highway) passes by Shigatse City.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Smooth Drive from Gyantse to Shigatse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

August 23, I visited Shigatse City for the first time together with a 24 pax tour group from Venezuela. We set off for Shigatse City at 3:00pm from Gyantse<\/a>, 90km southeast of Shigatse City. It was one and half hours\u2019 comfortable drive due to the smooth asphalt road from Gyantse<\/a> to Shigatse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We had to drive very fast to catch up with buying the entrance tickets for Tashilhunpo Monastery before it stopped tickets selling at 6:00pm on the day since the next morning our local tour guide would leave us and go to the police station for getting the travel permit for Mt.Everest and Zhangmu Fort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tibet Travel Permit & Alien Travel Permit <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Tibet Travel Permit was not enough for entering Mt. Everest and Zhangmu border. Foreign visitors have to register and get another travel permit at the police station either at Lhasa or Shigatse for Alien Travel Permit for border area like Mt.Everest and Zhangmu Fort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Alien Travel Permit <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The monk ticket collector had our entrance tickets checked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Located on the east side of the hill in the west of the city of Shigatse, Tashilhunpo Monstery is the seat of panchen Lama and one of the six great Gelugpa temples along with Sera Temple, Drepung Temple, Gandan Monastery, Taer Monastery and Labrang Monastery. Built 1447 by Gendun Drup, the First Dalai Lama, the temple once housed over 4000 monks, now there are about 1,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tashilhunpo Monstery is the seat of panchen Lama<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Tashilhunpo Monstery is the seat of panchen Lama<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Walk up the steps in the hillside monastery<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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a lonely monk?<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Some of the templs, institutons and halls are open to the public. The most attractive is the 27me high statue of Jampa ( Maitreya ) Buddha in the Temple of Maitreya. It was built in 1914 by the Ninth Panchen Lama to hold a gigantic statue of the Maitreya Buddha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We were not allowed to take photos or videos inside the temple. But if you would like to pay around RMB 180, you will be permitted to use your camera for taking pictures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Entering the Temple of Maitreya<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Entering the Temple of Maitreya<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

One of the oldest building in the monastery was the temple for housing the tomb of the fourth Panchen Lama. But unfortunately it was closed. Then we moven to the temple east of the Temple of Maitrya. It was the temple housing the tombs of Panchen Lamas from fifth to ninth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Inside the temple housing the tombs of Panchen Lamas from fifth to ninth<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Inside the temple housing the tombs of Panchen Lamas from fifth to ninth<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Then we visited the temple built housing the tomb of the 10th Panchen Lama. On Jan 28, 1989, the 10th Panchen Lama passed away. The central government decided to erect the temple for him, using 614 kilograms of gold, 275 kilograms of silver and over 10,000 diamonds of various kinds for the golden pagoda and the hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Housing the tomb of the 10th Panchen Lama<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Housing the tomb of the 10th Panchen Lama <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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On the fooftop<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The Beautiful Environment <\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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The religious site<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Learning about the story and culture behind the monastery<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The main Chanting Hall is not to missed. Lastly we went to the grand prayer hall. It happened that a group of monks were chanting in the main hall. We were allowed to walk around and evebn through the rows of sitting monks chanting in the hall. If you are willing to pay about RMB 180, you are allowed to take pictures iniside the hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Some monks who had finished chanting went out of the prayer hall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Some monks whi had finished chanting went out of the prayer hall.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

A snapshot of the monks talking to each other<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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A snapshot of the monks talking to each other<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Walk up to the golden world.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Shigatse City Layout<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The next morning our tour guided went to the police station for abtaining the travel permits for the tour group. I used the half day time wandering the streets to get a first hand information in the city of Shigatse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In general, Shigatse is a small city though it was the second largest city in Tibet. There were four main north to south streets, starting from west to east, they were Shandong Street ( \u5c71\u4e1c\u8def ), Shanghai Street ( \u4e0a\u6d77\u8def), Heilongjiang Street ( \u9ed1\u9f99\u6c5f\u8def) and Nyanchue Road \uff08\u5e74\u6cb3\u8def\uff09 with the Nyanchue River west of Nyanchue Road. So the four main roads and the Nyanchue River run through the city from north to south.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are two main streets running from west to east \u2013 Xueqiang Street(\u96ea\u5f3a\u8def\uff09, Qingdao Street\uff08\u9752\u5c9b\u8def\uff09and Mt.Everest Road \uff08\u73e0\u5cf0\u8def Zhufeng Road\uff09. The busy Walking Street is just near Tashilhunpo. The major hotels in Shigatse are located on Shandong Street, Shanghai Street and Mt.Everest Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shigatse City is a walkable city. Tashilhunpo is at the west end of Mt.Everest Street (Zhufeng Street). Coming out of the Temple, turn right and you will enter the walking street running from northeast to southwest in Shigatse lined with front stores selling all kinds of local products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the northeast end of the Walking Street, turn north and you will see the Shigatse Fortress which is still under the construction at the time of writing. If you turn east, you will be on Qingdao Street.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This time we stayed at Shen Kang Hotel (0892 -8822922 )located at the northern tip of Shandong Street, which is close to the walking street. The popular Shigatse Hotel is located on the Shanghai Street. Shigatse Tian Lin Grand Hotel is in the middle of Mt.Everest Street. Gang Gyen Hotel is located at the west end of Mt.Everest Street, close to Tashilhunpo Monastery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Walk Street<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
A Traffic-free Street<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Shigatse Fortress<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Shigatse Fortress<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Shigatse Fortress<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Shen Kang Hotel<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Shanghai Road<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Shanghai Road<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Shigatse Hotel on Shanghai Road<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Shigatse Hotel on Shanghai Road<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Shigatse Tian Lin Hotel in the middle of Mt.Everest Road (Zhufeng Road)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a>
Shigatse Tian Lin Hotel in the middle of Mt.Everest Road (Zhufeng Road)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Gang Gyen Hotel at the west end of Mt.Everest Road (Zhufeng Road)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Gang Gyen Hotel at the west end of Mt.Everest Road (Zhufeng Road)<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Shigatse Travel Tips:<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

1. Shigatse Tourism Complaint Phones: 13889028808, 13908922542
2. The Bus Station on Shanghai Road: Buses to Lhasa, Lhatse, Tingri and Zhangmu
3. Tashilhunpo Monastery: RMB 55
4. If go further south to Mt. Everest and Zhangmu, apply for a travel permit in Shigatse
5. Shigatse Heping Airport has some flights to Lhasa
Hassle-free Lhasa & Tibet Guided Tours<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hassle-free Lhasa & Tibet Guided Tours<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you don\u2019t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours, here are some options for guided tours to Lhasa and Tibet:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lhasa Tour<\/a>
Tibet Travel<\/a>
Lhasa Tibet Group Tour<\/a>
Lhasa Tibet Private Tour<\/a>
Beijing Lhasa Tour<\/a>
Lhasa China Tour<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further Readings<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Best Time to Visit Lhasa<\/a>
Top 10 Attractions in Lhasa<\/a>
Lhasa Tourist Traps, Tourist Scams Lhasa<\/a>
Where to stay in Lhasa<\/a>
Makye Ame Lhasa Restaurant \u2013 Your Kitchen in Lhasa<\/a>
Lhasa Airport, Lhasa Gonggar Airport<\/a>
Xian Lhasa Flight Experience, Xian Lhasa Flight<\/a>
Lhasa Railway Station Transportation, Taxi, Public Bus<\/a>
Get around in Lhasa with Pedicab or Trishaw<\/a>
lhasa Taxi<\/a>
Best Places to Take Picture of Potala Palace Lhasa<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

4-Wheel Drive Trip from Lhasa to Ranwu<\/a>
Tips for Visiting Drak Yerpa (Tips, Photos & Map)<\/a>
The Pilgrim Kora in Lhasa, Lhasa Pilgrim circuits<\/a>
How to Visit Sera Monastery in Lhasa<\/a>
Beijing Road in Lhasa<\/a>
Lhasa River in the City of Lhasa (Tips, Photos & Map)<\/a>
Lhasa Great Mosque, the Mosques in Lhasa<\/a>
Lhasa Yamdrok-Tso Lake Road Trip<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qushui Bridge in Qushui County, Tibet (Tips, Photos & Map)<\/a>
Nagarz\u00ea County and Scenic Road Trip to Gyantse<\/a>
Gyantse County and Road Trip to Shigatse<\/a>
Shigatse Trip (Tips, Photos & Map)<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Any questions, just drop a line.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Plan your Tibet travel? Shigatse is highly recommended to be included on your travel plan if you have enough time for travelling within Tibet. Shigatse refers to both \u201cShigatse City\u201d and \u201cShigatse Prefecture\u201d. Shigatse City is the seat of Shigatse Prefecture. Shigatse Prefecture. Shigatse Prefecture is composed of one county-level city (Shigatse City), 17 counties…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[937,1067],"tags":[1399],"class_list":["post-6069","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-shigatse-travel","category-tibet-travel","tag-shigatse"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6069"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6069"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6069\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":27168,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6069\/revisions\/27168"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6069"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6069"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tour-beijing.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6069"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}