Climate
Located in southern Tibet, the climate of the Shigatse Region is quite unique. Because of its high altitude, the air pressure is quite low. Consequently Mountain Sickness (altitude sickness) may be a problem for many visitors. It is recommended that you take effective medicines and take more breaks during your sightseeing trips. The strong sun in Shigatse may be another problem for some visitors. Bring a pair of sunglasses, a good sun block, and a hat to protect yourself from the sun's harmful rays. Generally, the climate is windy and cold from October to April with very little rain. Then the rainy season comes from May to September. During this season, it's humid and mild in the Shigatse Region. Although the temperature in winter is quite low, it snows less than in other parts of Tibet. What's more, the towns and counties located on the southern slopes of the Himalayas are warm and humid all year round. To appreciate beautiful and awesome Mt. Everest is not always easy. The best time to visit Mt. Everest is from mid April to June. The temperature from October to April is too low to visit and July and August are always rainy.
Average Temperatures in Shigatse City|
Month
|
Highest Degree (oC/oF)
|
Lowest Degree (oC/oF)
|
|
Jan.
|
5.7/42.3
|
-13.1/8.4
|
|
Feb.
|
8/46.4
|
-9.5/14.9
|
|
Mar.
|
11/51.8
|
-5.4/22.3
|
|
Apr.
|
15.5/59.9
|
-0.7/30.7
|
|
May
|
19.5/67.1
|
3.4/38.1
|
|
June
|
22.1/71.8
|
7.6/45.7
|
|
July
|
21/69.8
|
8.7/47.7
|
|
Aug
|
19.6/67.3
|
8.1/46.6
|
|
Sep.
|
18.7/65.7
|
5.8/42.4
|
|
Oct.
|
15.2/59.4
|
-1.2/29.8
|
|
Nov.
|
10.7/51.3
|
-8/17.6
|
|
Dec.
|
7/44.6
|
-12/10.4
|
Useful Telephone NumbersRegional Code: (0)892
|
Police
|
110
|
Shigatse Foreign Affairs Tourism Bureau
|
8822218
|
|
Fire
|
119
|
Shigatse City Police Station
|
8822256
|
|
Ambulance
|
120
|
Shigatse Tourism Bureau
|
8822221
|
|
Local Telephone Number Inquiry
|
114
|
Shigatse People's Hospital
|
8822650
|
Post and Telecom
China Post in many counties and towns of Shigatse Region can provide postal and telecom service. If you like, you even can ask the clerk to postmark your postcard when you are in Everest Base Camp. Also, many hotels provide long-distance calling and local calling service. Internet can be accessed in many hotels and internet cafes.
You can use your mobile phone in Shigatse City, but it may not work in many of the more remote areas. You should consider taking extra batteries because some places may have no electricity while you are there.
Hospitals
Traditional Tibetan Hospital located in the Tashilhunpo Monastery is quite special. Doctors here are lamas who use both Tibetan and western medicine. Shigatse People's Hospital located at No. 5, Shanghai Zhong Lu, Shigatse City, is the best local hospital.
Banks
There are the Bank of China, the China Construction Bank and the Agricultural Bank of China in Shigatse City. The Bank of China can provide foreign exchange service. Take cash because few banks will accept foreign checks. You can deposit your money in China Post, which has more branches than banks.
