Most visitors come to Shigatse for one reason: Everest Base Camp. But as the second busiest city in Tibet, the city itself is also worth a stay, for Tashilunpo Monastery — one of Tibet's most important monasteries, and Sakya Monastery — with the world's largest wall of Buddhist scriptures.
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- What Documents Do I Need for Visiting Shigatse?
- How to Get to Shigatse
- What to Do in Shigatse
- How Many Days to Spend in Shigatse
- Where to Stay in Shigatse
What Documents Do I Need for Visiting Shigatse?
For Shigatse city, you need the same documents as Lhasa: a valid Chinese visa and a Tibet Travel Permit.
Tibet Travel PermitIf you plan to visit Everest Base Camp, you will also need an Alien's Travel Permit (外国人旅行许可证), which covers travel to restricted areas beyond Shigatse.
There's no need to handle any of this yourself. Once you travel with us, simply send us a copy of your passport and Chinese visa — we'll take care of all the permits at no extra cost.
How to Get to Shigatse
The best way to reach Shigatse for first-time visitors is by private car from Lhasa. The drive takes around 5–6 hours, and the journey itself is one of the highlights of the trip.
Along the way, you'll see magnificent snow-capped mountains and lakes right outside the car window, and pass two of the most scenic stops on the entire route: Yamdrok Lake and Karola Glacier.
Yamdrok LakeShigatse does have its own airport and a railway station with direct trains from Lhasa. However, we don't recommend these for your first trip to Shigatse.
Shigatse sits at an average altitude of over 4,000 meters — higher than Lhasa — and flying directly here significantly increases the risk of altitude sickness.
Taking the train, while faster, means you'll miss the entire scenic route and spots along the way.
What to Do in Shigatse
Stand at the Foot of the World's Highest Mountain
Tibet's EBC sits at around 5,200 meters above sea level, about 234km from Shigatse. From the city, the drive takes around 5–6 hours through open highland landscapes. We suggest spending one night here to catch both the sunset and sunrise on Everest — when the light catches the summit and turns it gold, it's one of the most memorable sights in Tibet.
A family standing in front of Mount EverestAfter dark, with no city lights for hundreds of kilometers, the night sky is extraordinary. On a clear night, you can see the Milky Way stretching directly above Mount Everest.
Starry sky above Mount EverestDuring your visit, don't miss the Rongbuk Monastery — the highest monastery in the world — for the classic view of the ancient temple with Everest rising directly behind it. Between late May and October, there's even a small post office near EBC where you can send a postcard stamped from the highest post office in the world.
Because of the extreme altitude, it's important to spend at least 3–4 days acclimatizing in Lhasa and Shigatse before heading to EBC. Remember to dress warmly in layers even in summer, temperatures at night drop well below freezing. Our local guides will be with you throughout your visit and ready to help whenever you need.
Explore Shigatse's Most Important Monasteries
Tashilhunpo Monastery is the most important temple in Shigatse and a must-visit even if you're only passing through. It is the living place of the Panchen Lama, one of the two most important figures in Tibetan Buddhism (the other one is the Potala Palace). If you want a deeper cultural tour, we recommend our 8-Day Tibet Tour including Tsedang, Shigatse, and Lhasa.
Tashilhunpo MonasteryThe highlight is the Jampa Chapel, home to the world's largest gilded bronze statue of Maitreya Buddha — standing 26 meters tall and richly decorated with turquoise, pearls, and precious stones. You'll also visit the gold-covered tomb of the 10th Panchen Lama and several chapels filled with religious artifacts. Allow around 2–3 hours for a comfortable visit.
If you're interested in Tibetan Buddhist art and history, Sakya Monastery is a rewarding detour. Here, you'll find one of the largest collections of Buddhist scriptures in the world, which has earned it the nickname "the Second Dunhuang". You can see an entire wall lined floor-to-ceiling with ancient scriptures, and even touch the iron rings of what is said to be the world's heaviest scripture, weighing over a thousand pounds. Because it's quite remote, a round trip from Shigatse takes at least 5 hours of driving — plan for at least one extra day if you'd like to include it.
Sakya MonasteryStop at Karola Glacier and Pelkor Monastery
Both Karola Glacier and Pelkor Monastery (also called Baiju Monastery, 白居寺) sit along the road between Lhasa and Shigatse, making them easy and very rewarding stops on your drive in.
Karola Glacier is one of the most accessible glaciers in Tibet — you can see it clearly right from the roadside, and stopping for photos is free. If you want to get closer, a short 300-meter walk brings you to a viewing platform (RMB 50 / USD 7), where colorful prayer flags and a white stupa frame the dramatic ice wall against dark cliffs. We don't recommend climbing further up; the altitude makes it tiring, and the view from below is already excellent.
Karola GlacierPelkor Monastery, located in nearby Gyantse, is best known for its extraordinary Kumbum Stupa — a nine-story structure containing over 100,000 Buddha statues and nearly a thousand murals, which is why it's nicknamed the "Pagoda of 100,000 Buddhas". What makes it especially unusual is that it's the only place in Tibet where a monastery and a stupa are built as a single architectural complex. You can spend 1-2 hours here to take photos and walk inside the stupa.
Pelkor MonasteryHow Many Days to Spend in Shigatse?
If You're Going to Everest Base Camp
Plan for 4 days in total, including the drive from Lhasa:
- Day 1: Lhasa to Shigatse. Stop at Karola Glacier and Pelkor Monastery along the way.
- Day 2: Shigatse to EBC. Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery in the morning, then drive to EBC in the afternoon. Watch the sunset and stay overnight at EBC.
- Day 3: EBC to Shigatse. Watch the sunrise on Everest and visit Rongbuk Monastery, then drive back to Shigatse.
- Day 4: Shigatse to Lhasa, in time for your onward flight.
For more details, check our 8-Day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Tour.
If you'd like to include Sakya Monastery, add one extra day between Day 2 and Day 3 for the detour.
If You're Not Going to Everest Base Camp
2 days in Shigatse is enough. On your drive from Lhasa, stop at Karola Glacier and Pelkor Monastery along the way. Once in the city, Tashilhunpo Monastery is the main sight. Sakya Monastery is far from the downtown area and takes 2.5 hours of driving. You can also have time to explore the local streets at your own pace before heading back to Lhasa for your flight.
Where to Stay
In Shigatse City
Shigatse is a compact city, and we recommend staying in the downtown Sangzhuzi District, where hotels, restaurants, and transport are all within easy reach. Accommodation standards here are lower than in Lhasa, but there are a few reliable options across different budgets.
- Hilton Shigatse (5-star) — The best luxury option in the city, with a central location and the facilities you'd expect from the brand.
- Atour Hotel Shigatse Pedestrian Street (4-star) — A reliable mid-range chain hotel with views of Tashilhunpo Monastery and Shigatse Dzong.
- Tashi Choeta Hotel (3-star) — A smaller, more intimate option with a warm, guesthouse-like atmosphere.
Near Everest Base Camp
Accommodation near EBC is very limited and conditions are basic. It's worth setting expectations before you arrive.
If your body has adjusted well to the altitude and you want the full EBC experience, staying inside EBC at Rongbuk Tent Hotel is the right choice. Rooms are simple with private toilets, warmer and more private than shared tent options. There are no showers, and washing is strongly not recommended at this altitude.
If you're concerned about altitude sickness or simply want more comfort, Pingcuo Kangsang Everest Oxygen Hotel (4-star) in Tashizong Town is a much better option for rest. It's about a 40-minute drive from EBC and offers better facilities, including underfloor heating and an oxygen supply system.
Note: From May to October, large shared tent hostels operate near EBC, with up to 10 people per tent and no heating or bathroom facilities. We don't recommend choosing these tent hotels because they have less privacy and comfort.
Start Your Trip with Us
Shigatse and Everest Base Camp require careful planning, from permits and acclimatization to the right pacing of each day. Travel with us, and we'll handle all the logistics and processes so you can focus entirely on the experience.
Contact us to start your trip, or take a look at some of our popular Tibet tours below: