Shigatse

SHIGATSE, also known as Xigatse, which means "fertile land", is the second largest city in Tibet. It is the seat of Panchen Lama who is regarded as the reincarnation of the Buddha of Endless Enlightenment. This city stands between the confluence of the Yarlong Tsangpo and Nyangchu River, used to be the capital of Tsang and now is the capital of Shigatse prefecture.

Shigatse (12,600 ft.) is most famous for its Tashilhunpo Monastery - the seat of the Panchen Lama. Places of interest within this monastery include the relics sakyamuni, the hall of maitreya and mind-boggling collection of thankas, etc within the Tashilhunpo Monastery. There is also bustling "free" market at the foot of the ruins of the xigaze fortress and one can buy local handicrafts embedded with coral and torquoise, Chinese porcelain and yak butter etc. The highlight of Shigatse is surprisingly high snow capped peaks. Most of the highest peaks in Tibet, including Mt. Everest, lie around Shigatse. The other wonderful monastery near Shigatse is the Sakya Monastery and Shalu Monastery.

  Tsedang

This town is about 195 km from Lhasa in the Yarlung Valley which is considered the cradle for Tibetan culture. Zetang, the capital of Shannan prefecture, has merged with Ndong into a sprawl of Tibetan and Chinese buildings. There are various sights to see around like the monkey cave and Yumbulagang, and they can be used as a base for trips to Qonggyai where the Tombs of the Tibetan kings are located and the Samye monastery. The market in Tsedang, is worth a visit since all sorts of Tibetans trek in from outlaying areas. Behind the hospital there is the First Field in Tibet. According to legend, this field was planted by Chenrezig's monkey incarnation, Trehu. Tibetan farmers make an annual pilgrimage here before the planting season, to take back a handful of earth which they sprinkle on their own fields to increase fertility.

  Xegar

About 13,800 ft above sea level, Xegar is a new Chinese commune built at a the foot of the ruins of Xegar Dzong, and is 7 kms from the main road. With a population of 3000, its importance lies in the fact that it is the centre of this large and remote country and also a base from where expeditions to Mt. Everest and other peaks are launched. The total distance form Xegar to Everest Base Camp is about 110 km. in a vehicle it's about seven hours from Xegar to Rongbuk; on foot it's abut three days of hiking from the Chinese checkpoint (to the west of Xegar) onto rongbuk. Rongbuk is the last inhabitaed place before the Everest base camp. The Rongbuk monastery, the highest monastery on the earth must be visited before u start your trek. Presently accommodation is very Spartan in rooms with mud-floors and dry latrines. However, there are plans to build a modest lodge in its vicinity within a year's time.

  Zhangmu

Also known as Khasa, Zhangmu perches on a mountainside 10km (6 miles) inland from the Friendship Bridge across the Bhotekoshi River (Sun Kosi River). The small town has become the major trading post between Tibet and Nepal. The subtropical oceanic climate endows the small town a warm, and humid weather and beautiful scenery throughout the year. A road snakes through the small border town. Along the only street in the town, private houses, shops, restaurant and government buildings are built. The booming border trade attracts merchants from inland China, Tibet and Nepal running business here. Nepalese merchants export rice, flour, pepper, vegetables, and perfumes while Chinese merchants sell wool, tea, salt and Tibetan medicine. Nepalese even run Nepalese restaurants in the small town, serving Nepalese dishes, instant noodles and beer produced in Nepal. A free trade market formed near the Friendship Bridge spontaneously 8 years ago, which is now still developing. According to an agreement between Chinese and Nepalese governments, people living near the border may cross the border freely within 30 kilometers (18 miles) from the border.

Every day, hundreds of Chinese and Nepalese merchants are doing their business. The local Sherpas lease their houses to those merchants, sharing profits from the border trade. Zhangmu is going to undergo a large construction to meet the demands of the booming tourism and border trade. Zhangmu Hotel, the only hotel in the town, is going to be reconstructed and expanded. The local government plans to build a 2220-meter (7280 feet) ropeway to improve the bad traffic in the next five years.

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