Shigatse Tours

Foreigners who wish to do a Tibet Shigatse Tour will need two documents to apply for before entering Tibet for travel. These documents are the Tibet Travel Permit (TTB permit; Lhasa) and Aliens' Travel Permit (PSB permit; Shigatse, Mount Everest Base Camp). Contact the AOT Team for all the Tibet Permits you need for free and enjoy a worry-free trip with us.

Shigatse is renowned for its rich Tibetan culture and history. Some of the most popular attractions in and around Shigatse include Yamdrok Lake, Karola Glacier, Perklor Monastery, Tashilhunpo Monastery, and Mt. Everest Base Camp.

On the way to Shigatse, you won't miss the natural wonders like Yamdork Lake(Holy Lake) and Karola Glacier (the location of the film Red Valley/Hong He Gu). If you head to Shigatse via Gyantse, you should pay a visit to Perklor Monastery which is famous for its 100-Thousand-Buddha Pagoda and is one of the most important cultural relics in Tibet. You can also catch a view of Gyangtse Fortress (Gyantse Dzong) from there.

The top highlight of Shigatse is Tashilhunpo Monastery, which was founded by His Holiness the 1st Dalai Lama. It is also good spot to have a stunning bird's eye view of Shigatse City. Shigatse is the gateway to Mt. Everest Base Camp, and you can have a photograph stop at Gyawu La Pass (5,200m) for a glimpse of Mount Everest, the Himalayas, and the zigzag road that looks winding to the end of the world. Before reaching Mount Everest Base Camp, you can have the first incredible view of the Mount Everest summit from the Rongbuk Monastery, which is the highest monastery in the world. Then enjoy the starry night in EBC and have the chance to witness a sunrise over the north side of Mt. Qomolangma (Mt. Everest).

The best time to visit Shigatse is from May to October when the weather is generally mild and dry, with clear skies providing stunning views of the holy mountains and briliant landscapes. The temperature is also more comfortable, with average temperatures ranging from around 10°C to 20°C during the day.

In the winter months, from November to April, Shigatse can be very cold with temperatures dropping well below freezing. However, if you are interested in winter sports or photography, the winter months can offer some unique and beautiful scenery to capture.

You can get to Shigatse from Lhasa by both road and train. Daily buses and trains run between Lhasa and Shigatse. Although Shigatse Heping Airport/Xigaze Peace Airport is located in Shigatse, there are currently no regular flights available for tourism.

You can take a flight to Lhasa Gonggar Airport and then take a bus or private car to Shigatse. It takes about 5 to 6 hours to drive from Lhasa to Shigatse (270km). By road, you can have the chance to have a quick stop on two amazing natural landscapes - Yamdrok Lake and Karola Glacier.

Alternatively, you can take a train from Lhasa to Shigatse which to takes around 2.5 hours. During the train journey, you can have breathtaking views of the Tibetan plateau through the train window.

So by road/car or by train, it depends on your preferance for time, places of interst along the way, and overall travel plans. Train travel is faster and more convenient while road travel allows for more photograph stops.

1.Shigatse is located at a altitude of around 3,850 meters above sea level. It is good to avoid altitude sickness by slowing down, keeping warm, drinking water frequently, avoiding showers for the first one or two days, taking it easy, and sleeping well. Most of our guests who finished their Shigatse Tour did not suffering altitude sickness.

2.Usually before head to Shigatse, you will stay in Lhasa (3650m) for one or two days, you will have enough time to acclimate to the elevated altitude. So take it easy and follow your doctor's advice regarding altitude based on your health condition.

3.Be sure to let your guide or the hotel staff know whenever you feel unwell or need help. The people there are always willing to help and are good at dealing with altitude sickness.