Suffered in Shigatse but back now, here are some harsh truths

🌄Shigatse August Summer Escape Guide: Lie back on the "Roof of the World" to watch snow-capped mountains and eat barley!

Location
Shigatse means "the fulfilled estate" in Tibetan. It is the second largest city in Tibet, known as the hometown of Mount Everest and the source of the Yarlung Tsangpo River, sitting at about 3,800 meters above sea level. In August, daytime temperatures hover around 20°C, with cool nights. Sunscreen and a light down jacket are lifesavers!

🚗Three-day Shigatse itinerary·Detailed route
Day 1: Lhasa → Yamdrok Lake → Karola Glacier → Shigatse city center

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Morning: Carpool from Lhasa (bookable on Trip.com!) straight to Yamdrok Lake, whose water is as blue as if photoshopped. Don’t forget to snap the "Sky Mirror" reflection at Gangbala Pass📸.

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Noon: Pass by Karola Glacier, which looks like a giant cream cake, but be careful not to jump around due to altitude sickness!

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Evening: Head to Shigatse city center and go straight to Tashilhunpo Monastery (80 RMB entrance fee). The golden roofs and red walls are stunning at sunset, and the murals inside are breathtaking! Stay at Vienna International Hotel (Shigatse Jilin South Road Branch), with oxygen rooms and humidifiers to combat dryness, great value at 350 RMB/night.

Day 2: Shigatse → Everest Viewing Platform → Sakya Ancient Town

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Morning: Hire a car to the Everest Viewing Platform (free!), where you can gaze at the world’s highest peak. When clouds clear, you can see the pyramid-shaped summit⛰️.

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Noon: Explore and eat in Sakya Ancient Town. The Tibetan-style old houses feel like a medieval time travel. The thangkas and scriptures at Sakya Namsum Monastery are hidden gems.

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Evening: Return to Shigatse for Tibetan hotpot at Snow God Palace, with yak beef slices and wild mushrooms boiling away. A gulp of barley wine warms you to your toes! Stay at Lavande Hotel (Tashilhunpo Monastery Branch), with floor heating and smart room controls, perfect for the lazy, at 313 RMB/night.

Day 3: Shigatse → Gyantse Ancient Town → Manla Reservoir → Lhasa

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Morning: Shoot the Zongshan Fortress in Gyantse Ancient Town, a free anti-British war site perfect for photos. The prayer flags on the city walls look like colorful waterfalls.

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Noon: The water in Manla Reservoir is as green as jade. Making a wish by stacking mani stones on the shore is very effective✨!

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Evening: Before heading back, slurp a bowl of Pengbi (Tibetan pea paste with chili oil), spicy enough to make you gasp but impossible to stop!

🌟Must-visit checklist
1.
Tashilhunpo Monastery: One of the six major Gelugpa monasteries, its golden roof dazzles in the sun! You can watch monks "argue" in the debate courtyard.

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Everest Viewing Platform: Free! On clear days, you can capture the reflection of Everest. Don’t forget your telephoto lens.

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Gyantse Zongshan Fortress: Free! Offers panoramic views of the ancient town, best for silhouette shots at dusk.

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Snow God Palace Tibetan Restaurant: Yak beef hotpot and butter tea, the meaty aroma mixed with dairy flavor makes you crave three bowls of rice🍲.

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Jiefang North Road Food Street: Pengbi, yogurt cake, grilled lamb chops… eat while strolling like a Tibetan night market.

📸Photo spots recommendations
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Yamdrok Lake: Shoot from Gangbala Pass for a top-down view; the water looks unreal blue!

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Manla Reservoir: Shoot on the dam for the "Plateau Jade" effect; wearing a red dress makes your photos pop👗.

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Tashilhunpo Monastery: The white wall prayer wheel corridor, side lighting makes portraits full of story~

🍜Top 5 food hits
1.
Pengbi: Tibetan pea paste with chili oil, smooth and spicy, unique to Shigatse!

2.
Yak Yogurt: Thick enough to stand a spoon, sprinkled with sugar, sweet and sour like ice cream🍦.

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Barley Wine: Slightly sweet and fizzy, won’t give you a hangover (but don’t overdrink at high altitude).

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Dried Yak Meat: Like an upgraded beef jerky, the more you chew, the tastier it gets, perfect for binge-watching!

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Butter Tea: Salty and creamy, warms your stomach with one sip, a savior for altitude sickness☕.

💰Three-day expenses
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Transport: Carpool + private car about 1,000 RMB (discounts available on Trip.com!).

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Accommodation: Two nights total 663 RMB, oxygen hotel worth every penny!

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Food: About 500 RMB for three days, from street stalls to Tibetan restaurants, all covered~

Feelings: Not much money spent but the experience is full, free Everest views are way more genuine than trendy spots!

⚠️Tips to remember
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Don’t shower or party at high altitude, slow movements can save your life!

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No photos inside temples, spin prayer wheels clockwise~

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Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours or you’ll turn high-altitude red instantly😳.

Personal feelings:

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Highlight: Eating barley bread at the foot of Everest, feeling cooler than anyone else!

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Suffering: Headache at midnight like being kicked by a donkey, oxygen tank saved my life…

Final chat: This Shigatse trip felt like a vacation in the clouds, stuffed with snow mountains and lakes! Any pros have hidden tips? Drop them in the comments~ 🌈