Shigatse Travel Tips

Shigatse Best Travel Time
Shigatse has a semi-arid, highland continental climate with average temperature of 6.3 C (43.34 F). It coldest months is from November to April, with temperature is quite low while June and July is considered as the rainy season. The best travel time to this area is from April to June.

Shigatse Safety Tips
Right located in the Tibet Highland, Shigatse is high above the sea level and there is a considerable risk of altitude sickness, especially you fly into Lhasa and your body doesn’t have much time to get used to it. Certain drugs are available to reduce the risk of high altitude reactions, so prepare something like acetozolamide (Diamox), salmeterol (Serevent), temazepam…or just ask your tour guide or travel consultant to be of help on this.

But all these drugs bring significant side effects so you can get professional advice from your doctor before obtaining medicines; or it is advisable to prepare any necessary medications at your home country with detailed ingredients listed.

Eating at Shigatse

Shigatse food similar to what you find in any area of Tibet comes in simple and practical way. The main foods of daily life are beef and mutton, and they are served up in many different dishes. The most representative one is boiled mutton or beef, also known as mutton or beef eaten with hand.

Shopping in Shigatse

There are many delicate Tibetan craft works and souvenirs in Shigatse Tibet, Tibet knife, Tangkar, cushion, golden and silver wares. Where to buy local products? Go to the bazaar located at northern section of Shigatse city and there are various good on sale; or try the Zhaxijiacai village located in the southern part of the city and hunt for some cute craft work.

Shigatse Festivals
There are many festivals honoring local history and culture, and the most important one are Buddha Unveiling Festival and the Sorcerer's Dance Festival.

The Buddha Unveiling Festival is held from May 14th to 16th of Tibetan Calendar every year; large portraits of Buddha from three periods are shown which would display on high platform and covering an area of 900 square kilometers, enable view from all over the city.

The Sorcerer's Dance Festival is featuring a band consisting of over 100 people and the dance characteristic of traditional dances like the yak and peacock dances. There are 16 performances on the first and second day; the Tibetan opera is performed on the third day. The festival is held annually in early August (of the Tibetan calendar).