Xigaze (prefecture)

	WARNING: On 26 August 2026, heavy flooding and landslides have caused widespread damage in Gyirong County in Shigatse, Tibet, near the Nepal border. Buildings, roads, other transport and communications infrastructure have been severely damaged. Phone and internet services may also be affected in some areas. Damage assessments are ongoing. There have been reports of deaths and injuries.
	(Information last updated 27 Aug 2026)

Xigaze (日喀则; Rìkāzé), also Shigatse, is a prefecture in Central Tibet. Named after its capital city Shigatse, it has numerous places of interest for tourists, and has good public transportation by Tibetan standards.

• 29.27171688.8883851 Shigatse (Xigaze) - officially known as Samzhubzê District, this is the administrative centre and the only major urban area in the region.
• 28.9202689.599562 Gyantse (Jiangzi) - the fourth largest city in Tibet. Home to a famous stupa.
• 27.9910285.98123 Dram (Zhangmu) - town located along Friendship Highway at Nepal border
• 28.3968785.326924 Gyirong (Kyirong, Jilong) - another Nepal/Tibet border town
• 29.1553687.692025 Lhatse - a minor town with little tourist interest, but important as a transportation hub as it is final destination for all public transportation in the direction of Mount Kailash and Nepal. There are a few guest houses and several shops.
• 28.1609385.977266 Nyalam - site of 'Milarepa's cave'.
• 28.90476188.0178217 Sakya - a large village with an important old monastery.
• 28.6631187.121328 Shelkar - launching point for the landrover trip to Qomolangma National Nature Reserve.
• 28.584586.61219 Tingri - the closest town on the "highway" to Nepal and Mount Everest. It offers a wide, but simple choice of accommodation and is a good place to view Mount Everest. With camping equipment, it's also possible to trek to Everest back camp - a journey of about four days.

Xigatse Peace Airport is located 43 km from Shigatse city, It has flights to Chengdu, Shanghai and Xi'an.

There are two border crossings with Nepal at Dram (Zhangmu) and Gyirong (Jilong).

• 28.18111186.8030561 Qomolangma National Nature Reserve. A reserve spanning the foothills of the northern side of Mount Everest.
• 28.19521486.8279042 Rongbuk Monastery . A sacred monastery near Everest with a magnificent view of the north face of Everest.
• Nyalam Pelgyeling Monastery, 10 km north of the village of Nyalam. A monastery built around a cave where the enlightened yogi Milarepa (1040-1123) and his disciple Rechungpa spent many years in meditation.