Tsang
Tsang
Tsang is the traditional Tibetan region west of U and southwest of Lhasa, bordering Nepal and Bhutan. Its two main urban centres are Gyantse and Shigatse, along the Friendship Highway.
Here you find Tashilunpo Monastery, the Kumbum stupa of Gyantse, Sakya, and the north face of Mount Everest near Rongphu Monastery.
The journey from Lhasa towards the Nepal border passes high passes, the Yamdrok Lake and wide views over mountains.
- Best time to visit
- April to October
- Getting there
- By road from Lhasa along the Friendship Highway.
- Suggested stay
- 4 to 7 nights
Places in and around Tsang
Groups always run in this order. Inside each group, the must-see picks come first; hikes and places to stay follow the order Windhorse recommends.
Sights and attractions in Tsang
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Temples & Monasteries
Shalu Monastery
Shalu is located about 20km south of Shigatse, 4km off the Gyantse-Shigatse road.
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Dzongs & Fortresses
Shigatse Dzong
The imposing castle also known once as Samdrubtse Dzong, was built in the seventeenth century by Karma Phuntso Namgyel when he was king of the Tsang region and held sway...
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Temples & Monasteries
Tashilunpo Monastery
Tashilunpo monastery in Shigatse was founded by Gendun Drubpa, the first Dalai Lama in 1477.
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Sight
Shigatse
Shigatse, also written Xigatse means "fertile land" and rightly so because it stands at the junction of the Yarlung Tsangpo and Nyangchu River.
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Sight
Gyantse
Gyantse (3,950m) in the Nyang Chu valley, 254km south-west of Lhasa, is one of the least Chinese influenced towns in Tibet and is worth a visit for this reason alone.
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Sight
Shegar
Shegar, Zegar or Shelkar (also known as New Tingri) at 4,050m is 7km diversion northwest of main Friendship Highway.
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Temples & Monasteries
Rongphu Monastery
Also known as Dzarongpu monastery (4980m) is the power place through which all seeking the highest peak via the North Face must pass.
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Sight
Everest North Area (Rongphu Face)
The north face of Everest and the Rongphu Glacier, reached by road from Tingri to Rongphu and Base Camp.
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Sight
Tingri (Dingri)
A small plateau town at about 4,300m, the usual stop before the road to Everest Base Camp.
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Sight
Nyalam
A small town on the Friendship Highway near the Nepal border, used as an acclimatisation stop.
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Temples & Monasteries
Sakya Monasteries
Sakya Tradition is one of the four main Buddhist Schools in Tibet.
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Sight
Sakya
The seat of the Sakya school, a small town southwest of Shigatse with a great fortress-like monastery.
Nothing matches these filters in Tsang yet. Choose another type or a lower star rating.
Where to stay in Tsang
10In the order Windhorse recommends-
Hotel
Gyantse Hotel
Gyantse Hotel (Jiangzi Fandian) is ideally located in the center of the town, near the local market and also close to tourist attractions including the summer palace of the previous...
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Hotel
Hotel Manasarovar
Started in 2001, Hotel Manasarovar (Shenhu Jiudian) is located in the Tibetan area.
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Hotel
Nyangchu Manor House Hotel
Nyangchu Zangbu Manor Hotel is a modern four-star boutique hotel in Gyantse also spelt as Jiangzi, showcasing Tibetan-style decor.
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Hotel
Shigatse Hotel
A first among the three star hotel in Shigatse, is south of the town, about one km away from Tashilhunpo Monastery.
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Hotel
Shigatse Shandong Mansion
Shigatse Shandong Mansion is a tall 3 star hotel in a ten-storey building with 110 air-conditioned rooms.
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Hotel
Wutse Hotel
The hotels have varying room types, starting from Dormitories, standard single rooms with attached baths to some more deluxe rooms with better facilities.
Nothing matches these filters in Tsang yet. Choose another type or a lower star rating.
Where to stay in Tsang, with levels, guest reviews and a map