OUR DESTINATIONS
Let us help you find your perfect holiday by phoning us on
We offer holidays to the four corners of the globe. If you want specialist advise please phone our travel team and we will be happy to help.
Alternatively, check out some of our holiday offers below.
- Destinations
- Asia
- China
- Shigatse
Shigatse
The holiday destination of Shigatse is Tibet's second largest
city, situated about 190 miles (300km) from Lhasa at the confluence
of the Yarlong Tsangpo and Nyangchu Rivers, in the south of the
region.
Although Shigatse has undergone rapid development in recent
years it offers few tourist facilities, but is nevertheless a
popular holiday destination for adventure travellers and
mountaineers, being within reach of Mount Everest.
One of the most colourful areas in Tibet, Shigatse is surrounded
by grassland, snowfields, river valleys and even jungle. It is also
a haven for pilgrims travelling from western Tibet to Lhasa. The
city is 600 years old and is the traditional seat of the Panchen
Lama, an important Tibetan spiritual leader and abbot of the
Tashilhunpo Monastery. The city offers some interesting monasteries
in its vicinity; Shigatse's old quarter is also worth a visit while
on holiday, as is its colourful market.
Information & Facts
Language
The official language is Mandarin Chinese, but there are
hundreds of local dialects.
Money
The currency used in China is the Renminbi Yuan (CNY). The Yuan
is divided into 10 chiao/jiao or 100 fen. Make sure you exchange
your leftover Yuan before returning home because this currency can
be exchanged only within China's borders. Travellers cheques,
preferably in US Dollars, and foreign cash can be exchanged in
cities at the Bank of China. Banks are closed weekends. The larger
hotels and the special 'Friendship Stores' designed for foreigners
will accept most western currencies for purchases. Major credit
cards are accepted in the main cities at various establishments,
but outside the major cities acceptance is limited. ATMs are scarce
outside the main cities.
Time