Top Monasteries to Visit in Shigatse

For many travelers on a Tibet tour, the city of Shigatse is more than just a stopover on the journey to Mount Everest. It is a profound cultural heartland, where history whispers from ancient walls and spirituality permeates the air. As Tibet's second-largest city, Shigatse is home to some of the region's most significant and awe-inspiring monasteries. Visiting these sacred sites offers an unparalleled window into Tibetan Buddhist art, architecture, and daily monastic life. If your adventure seeks depth beyond landscapes, these monasteries are essential.

Tashilhunpo Monastery: The Spiritual Heart of Shigatse

Perched at the foot of Drolmari (Tara's Mountain) on Shigatse's western edge, Tashilhunpo Monastery is one of Tibetan Buddhism's most revered sites. Founded in 1447, it ranks alongside Lhasa's Sera, Ganden, and Drepung monasteries as one of the Four Great Monasteries of the Gelugpa sect. Spanning nearly 150,000 square meters, the monastery complex boasts 57 halls and 3,600 rooms, once housing numerous monks. Its most awe-inspiring feature is the giant gold-gilded bronze statue of the Future Buddha (Maitreya) in the five-story Maitreya Hall. This 26.2-meter-tall statue sits atop a 3.8-meter lotus throne, adorned with pearls and diamonds at its brows. Early mornings here are particularly magical, as the air fills with the deep, rhythmic chanting of monks.

Pelkor Chode Monastery: A Fusion of Three Buddhist Sects

A short journey from Shigatse lies Gyantse County, home to Pelkor Chode Monastery—an architectural gem that defies traditional sectarian boundaries. It is one of the few monasteries in Tibet that houses three major Buddhist sects: Sakyapa, Kadampa, and Gelugpa. This unique coexistence is reflected in every corner of the complex, from its mixed-style prayer halls and monk residences to the enshrined deities and intricate murals, creating a rich tapestry of Tibetan Buddhist culture. The monastery's centerpiece is the iconic White Pagoda, a nine-story structure with 77 small chapels housing over 100,000 Buddha statues—earning it the nickname "Ten Thousand Buddha Pagoda." Wandering through the pagoda's winding corridors feels like navigating a sacred maze, with each tiny chapel revealing new sculptures and wall paintings. Pelkor Chode also holds special significance during the Saga Dawa Festival, when pilgrims flock here for religious ceremonies and celebrations, filling the courtyard with a vibrant, devout energy. Gyantse is often part of our popular Lhasa to Everest Base Camp small group tour, which seamlessly weaves visits to Pelkor Chode and other key Shigatse sites into a cohesive journey.

Sakya Monastery: Tibet's Imperial Library of Art and Scripture

About 148 kilometers from Shigatse, in Sakya County, lies Sakya Monastery—the spiritual headquarters of the Sakya sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery's exterior, painted in the sect's signature colors—red, white, and blue—is a striking contrast to the surrounding landscape, and the villages nearby have adopted the same color scheme, creating a unified, otherworldly scene. Sakya is often called the "Second Dunhuang" for its unparalleled collection of cultural relics, including ancient stupas, Buddhist scriptures, and well-preserved artwork. Its most famous treasures are the "Three Walls": a mural wall, a porcelain wall, and a scripture wall. The scripture wall alone is a marvel—stretching 20 meters high and 60 meters long, it's packed with thousands of ancient Buddhist texts, a sight that leaves even seasoned travelers in awe.

Rongbuk Monastery: The World's Highest Monastery

For travelers venturing toward Mt. Everest, Rongbuk Monastery is an unmissable stop—not just for its spiritual significance, but for its record-breaking status as the world's highest monastery. Located north of Everest in Shigatse's Tingri County, this Nyingma sect monastery has been a site of monk and hermit meditation for over 400 years. Cliffs surrounding the monastery are dotted with meditation caves, and paths leading to them are lined with prayer stones carved with sacred symbols, a reminder of the site's long history of spiritual practice. Rongbuk's location offers unparalleled views of Everest, especially at sunrise and sunset, when the mountain's snow-capped peak glows golden.

Conclusion

Whichever monastery you explore, you will be deeply moved by Tibet's profound beliefs and spiritual heritage. The intricate art, the palpable devotion in the air, and the serene atmosphere together create an unforgettable impression of a culture where faith and daily life are beautifully intertwined.