The Best Time to Visit Shigatse
The best time to visit Shigatse is from April to October, while the peak season is from May to September. But do remember the from 1st October to 7th October when is the one-week long national holiday because Shigatse is still a major destination of domestic and international tourists. It’s extremely crowded everywhere! Shigatse has splendid natural, historical and cultural sites, the big draws here are Tashilumpo Monastery, Sakya Monastery, the world’s highest mountain – Mount Everest, and local historic Pala Manor and more. You can travel to Everest Base Camp, have an once-in-a-lifetime tour of the world’s highest mountain, or have a look of the amazing Karola Glacier, realize your dream of Frozen world.
Four Seasons of Shigatse
Shigatse has no distinct four seasons because of less plants. Summer and winter are two main seasons. Spring is short, slightly cold. But in some valleys and plains regions, such as Shigatse city, and Gyantse, you can see a blooming spring season. Summer is much warmer with plenty of sunlight. So you’d better bring quality sunblock, sunglasses, etc. Autumn is very short with many windy days. And it starts to get colder. Winter is long and cold. It snows often in most regions in Shigatse. You have to pack warm clothes and boots.
Spring
Average Temperature: -8℃ ~ 19℃, slightly chilly
Spring in Shigatse, even in most Tibet areas comes much later than other cities in China due to its high elevation, unique geography and far distance to the ocean. Snow fallen on the ground starts to melt to bright and clean water as the temperature rises slowly. It’s getting warmer gradually in Shigatse during this season. But still temperature varies widely from day to night. A coat is suitable at noon but during night a thick and warm quilt is must needed.
Summer
Average Temperature: 3℃ ~ 23℃, mild hot in day and cool at night
In summertime, temperature ranges from 3℃ ~ 23℃, you can experience four seasons within a single day in Shigatse. The highest temperature is at noon between 27℃ ~ 29℃, as hot as in summer, then temperature falls at dusk, cool like you are in autumn. Later temperature declines sharply to the coldest at midnight as if it is in winter for temperature is as low as 0℃~5℃, you will need a cotton quilt covered all night. The next morning it will become warmer like spring days when the sun rises. So you should prepare both light and warm clothes for temperature changes. Night rain rates in Shigatse approximately as much 82%, mostly concentrated in July and August.
Autumn
Average Temperature: 0℃ ~ 22℃, pleasantly cool
During this season, it’s rather windy in the morning and evening in Shigatse. Rain rarely falls in autumn. Short sleeves are not recommended, you’d better wear some long sleeves clothes and sunscreen shirts for the strong ultraviolet radiation.
Winter
Average temperature: -15℃ ~ 15℃, a little cold
The average monthly temperature of January is about-3.2℃. Therefore Shigatse is not in server cold in winter season as expected. Mean temperature of Shigatse in winter is as low as -15℃ at night, you’d better wear some warm coats, jackets or sweaters from getting cold.
Although it’s not the best time to visit Shigatse, you can also visit attractions like Pala Manor to search for local Tibetan history relics and it’s quite comfortable and cozy to have a relaxing time at some hot springs.
Some Places you can go When you Travel to Shigatse
The most outstanding attractions (are available for visiting all year around) in Shigatse:
- Tashilhunpo Monastery
Tashilhunpo Monastery covers an area of 150000 square meters, and there is wall around the palace, circumference of more than 3000 meters. Temple there were 57 scripture halls, 3600 rooms, the entire temple built depending on the hillside, lean on the mountain on the back, and the temple is facing sun. - Palcho Monastery
Pelkhor Choede enjoys a high status in Tibet Buddhism history because it houses three sects – Sakyapa, Kadampa and Gelugpa together. Those three sects get along well with each other though they once quarreled and fought. The Bodhi Dagoba, the Main Assembly Hall, murals and Zhacang (hall for the monks) in the monastery are the most renowned. - Sakya Monastery
Sakya Monastery, also known as Pel Sakya, is a Buddhist monastery. As the seat of the Sakya (or Sakyapa) school of Tibetan Buddhism, it was founded in 1073, by Konchok Gyelpo(萨钦贡噶宁波). Its Mongolian architecture is quite different from that of temples in Lhasa and Yarlung(雅鲁藏布江). The only surviving ancient building is the Lhakang Chempo（克楚拉康）or Sibgon Trulpa（西贡）.
Useful Tips for your Shigatse Travel
1. April to October is the best time to visit Shigatse and the peak season is from May to September. During National Day, it will be quite crowded when domestic and foreigner tourists flock into Shigatse. Better book your tour package in advance, because it will be very difficult to book your train/flight ticket in peak seasons.
2. Shigatse has strong ultraviolet radiation and large temperature difference between day and night at all seasons. Prepare some suitable long sleeves, warm clothes and enough sunblock works from getting sunburn.
3. Shigatse has higher elevation than Lhasa areas. You’d better take some advice on altitude sickness, maintain a good physically condition as well as mental condition.
4. If you want to tour Mount Everest through Shigatse, select a best time, prepare all permits needed and choose a reliable and professional travel agency to arrange you wonderful Everest tour.
