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Shigatse

Tibet’s second-largest city and the traditional capital of Tsang province, Shigatse (གཞི་ཀ་རྩེ་; 日喀则; Rìkāzé) is a modern, sprawling city, with wide boulevards humming with traffic. As you drive in across the plains, the sight of the Potala-lookalike Shigatse Dzong, high on a hilltop overlooking the town, will probably fire your imagination, but the fort is empty and most of what you see dates from a 2007 reconstruction. It is Tashilhunpo Monastery that is the real draw here. Since the Mongol sponsorship of the Gelugpa order in the 17th century, Tashilhunpo has been the seat of the Panchen Lama, the second most important spiritual figure in Tibetan Buddhism after the Dalai Lama.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Shigatse.

  • Buddhist Monastery

    Tashilhunpo Monastery

    One of the few monasteries in Tibet to weather the stormy seas of the Cultural Revolution, Tashilhunpo remains relatively unscathed. It is a pleasure to explore the cobbled lanes twisting around its aged buildings. Covering 70,000 sq metres, the monastery is now the largest functioning religious institution in Tibet – home to around 950 monks – and one of its great monastic sights. The huge golden statue of the Future Buddha is the largest gilded statue in the world.

  • Palace

    Summer Palace of the Panchen Lamas

    Though it ranks far below Tashilhunpo, if you have extra time in Shigatse, pay a visit to this walled palace complex at the southwestern end of town. The original palace was built in 1844 by the seventh Panchen Lama, Tenpei Nyima, and later destroyed; the current complex was built in 1955 by the 10th Panchen Lama. It's known in Tibetan as the Dechen Kalzang Podrang.

  • Buddhist Monastery

    Nartang Monastery

    Just a few kilometres outside of Shigatse, this 12th-century Kadampa monastery is famed for wood-block printing the Nartang canon in the 18th century. Treasures in the assembly hall include small statues of Denba Tortumba said to have the power to control lightning; a mantra written in stone by the first Dalai Lama; and the self-arising stone horns and footprints of the wild yak that helped install the monastery's foundation stones.

  • Fort

    Shigatse Dzong

    Once the residence of the kings of Tsang and later the governor of Tsang, very little remained of this dzong (fort) after it was destroyed in the popular uprising of 1959. Rebuilt in the 2000s, Shigatse is now once again graced with an impressive hilltop fort that bears a close resemblance to the Potala, albeit on a smaller scale. The dzong was empty and off-limits at the time of research, but is an impressive mark on Shigatse's skyline.

  • Park

    Darawa Linka

    Locals make merry at this park on the eastern side of Shigatse. Grab a bottle of Lhasa Beer and join them. There are a couple of dozen tents where people kick back, drink and play sho (a Tibetan board game) and mahjong. This is also known as the local pick-up spot so you’ll see lots of eligible youngsters prowling for potential mates. On weekends it’s packed with picnickers.

  • Buddhist Site

    Mani Lhakhang

    This tiny, ancient chapel in Shigatse's Tibetan old town houses a building-sized prayer wheel and is home to two monks.

  • Buddhist Monastery

    Shalu Monastery

    It’s a treat for the traveller when a sight is both a pleasure to explore and of great artistic importance. Such is Shalu Monastery, which dates back to the 11th century. It's worth a visit for its fine murals and pilgrim crowd, though a ticket is somewhat pricey.