Bordering Nepal, Sikkim and Bhutan to the south, Shigatse Region is located in the southern part of Tibet. It used to be called Tsang by Tibetans. Covering an area of 182,000 sq km (about 4,497,319 acres), the region consists of one city, Shigatse City, 17 counties including Gyangtse County, Sakya County, and Tingri County, and a trading port, Zhangmu Town. Most of the people living here are Tibetans. Other nationalities such as Han, Hui, Mongolia, Manchu, and Miao have also lived here for centuries. There are also less than one thousand Sherpas living in and around Zhangmu, Tingri, and Dinggye.
Shigatse City, which is the second largest city of Tibet, is situated at the junction of the Yarlung Tsangpo River and the Nyangchu River. The first Dalai Lama ordered the construction of the Tashilhunpo Monastery in 1477. The city then became the political, economic and cultural center of Tsang. As the seat of the Panchen Lamas, it was also the sovereign place in Tsang. Palkhor Monastery , Shalu Monastery , Sakya Monastery in and around the city make the place a land of splendid art and culture based on strong feelings of devotion.
Gyangtse County is the most important pass on the way from Lhasa to Shigatse. One can head to Lhasa, Shannan, Shigatse City, Tingri, Yadong and Zhangmu from this busy county. Mt. Everest located in Tingri County is the highest mountain in the world. Every year, thousands of tourists and mountaineers from all over the world, come to appreciate and challenge the sacred and awe-inspiring 'Goddess the Third'. {{Zhangmu|/cityguide/zhangmu.htm}} is an important trading port as well as a border town between China and Nepal. Many visitors enter or leave Tibet through this small but busy town.
Although some parts of Shigatse Region are remote and still developing, the abundant cultural relics and majestic natural beauty of the area allure more and more visitors both from home and abroad every year.
