RUB
English
Current park time · GMT+8 Wed, Oct 28, 2026, 13:33 Shown in the park’s local time (Beijing Time, GMT+8). Please confirm your visit date accordingly to avoid choosing the wrong date or time slot.
Announcements
The permit is usually declared together with your entry dates and route; submit once your plans are fixed and allow ample processing time.Foreign travellers need a Tibet Travel Permit to enter Tibet; the Everest, Ngari, Yadong and Zhangmu directions also require a border pass.During peak periods volumes are high and processing may take longer; for trips close to departure choose express and confirm acceptance in advance.

Home / Travel Guide / Shigatse and the Everest region: a practical guide

Shigatse and the Everest region: a practical guide

Guide details

ShigatseEverestTashilhunpo MonasteryYamdrok Lake 47 views 2026-10-28 08:53:47

Why go

Shigatse is Tibet's second city and the gateway to the Everest region. The route from Lhasa passes Yamdrok Lake and the Karola Glacier, and Tashilhunpo Monastery is the city's best-known site.

Best season

May to July is usually the most comfortable window, with plenty of clear days; the summit of Everest occasionally shows itself through the clouds. Gyantse and Shigatse itself can be visited all year.

Main stops

  • Yamdrok Lake, about 110 km from Lhasa, known for its turquoise water.
  • Gyantse: the old town, Pelkor Chode Monastery and the Kumbum, plus the Gyantse Dzong fort.
  • Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, with its huge thangka wall and the Maitreya chapel.
  • Sakya Monastery, with its grey-white-red walls and old murals.

Getting around

Public transport in the prefecture is limited and timetables are unreliable; most travellers hire a vehicle from Lhasa or join a small group. Dingri and Zhangmu lie in border areas and require a border pass.

Food and shopping

Restaurants cluster around Jiefang North Road and Everest Road, mostly Sichuan and Tibetan tea houses. Lhatse knives and Shigatse silverwork are the local specialities.

Related Guides

Border passes and border-area travel

Where a border pass is required, how to arrange it with the permit, and the usual travel restrictions.
42 Save

Common routes into Tibet and how to plan them

The character of the classic Lhasa, Shigatse, Nyingchi and Namtso directions, and how long each suits.
42 Save

How to get a border pass: documents, places and validity

What a border pass covers, where to apply, which documents to bring and how long it stays valid.
35 Save
← Previous: Lhasa city guide: seasons, sights, food and stays Next: How to get a border pass: documents, places and validity →
Apply Now More Guides

Related Tickets

Tibet Travel Permit (Standard)
Tibet Permit

Tibet Travel Permit (Standard)

Standard Tibet Travel Permit processing for foreign travellers. Submit documents and pay online, a coordinator follows up on review and declaration, and the permit is delivered electronically.
50 Save
Tibet Travel Permit (Express)
Tibet Permit

Tibet Travel Permit (Express)

Express Tibet Travel Permit processing for trips confirmed close to departure, using priority acceptance and declaration to shorten the cycle; material requirements are unchanged.
35 Save
Tibet Travel Permit + Border Pass
Combined

Tibet Travel Permit + Border Pass

For itineraries entering border directions such as Everest, Ngari, Yadong or Zhangmu, the permit and border pass are declared and processed together.
27 Save
Tibet Travel Permit (Group)
Groups

Tibet Travel Permit (Group)

Group processing for ten or more travellers on the same dates and itinerary, with a complete name list submitted for a single declaration.
9 Save

FAQ

When is the best time for Shigatse and what should I see?
May to July is generally the most comfortable window with plenty of clear days, and Everest occasionally shows itself; without the Everest leg, Gyantse and Shigatse can be visited year round. Highlights include Yamdrok Lake, Gyantse Dzong and Pelkor Chode, Tashilhunpo, Shalu and Sakya monasteries, with Lhatse knives and silverwork as local specialities.
How do I get from Lhasa to Shigatse and what is along the way?
The usual route runs Lhasa–Yamdrok Lake–Karola Glacier–Gyantse–Shigatse, about a day of driving. Along the way you see the lake, the glacier, Gyantse Dzong and Pelkor Chode Monastery, and Tashilhunpo Monastery once in Shigatse. Road conditions are average, so a hired vehicle or small group works best.
What is the difference between the permit and a border pass?
The permit covers entering Tibet; the border pass covers entering border areas such as Everest, Ngari, Yadong and Zhangmu. They cover different scopes, and itineraries touching border areas usually need both.
What do I need for the Everest base camp direction?
Besides the Tibet Travel Permit you need a border pass listing Shigatse prefecture, Dingri county and the Everest area. Foreign travellers and Taiwan compatriots normally have it declared through the receiving service, while mainland travellers can apply free of charge at their place of registration. The route is long and high, so allow plenty of time.
Customer Service
Online · Instant reply
×
Leave a message