Shigatse

Shigatse (Xigazê) is the second-largest city in Tibet, lying west of Lhasa at the confluence of the Yarlung Tsangpo and Nyang Chu rivers. It is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama and home to the magnificent Tashilhunpo Monastery, making it a major centre of Tibetan Buddhism. Its economy is based on highland agriculture (notably barley), animal husbandry, handicrafts, and a growing tourism sector, and it serves as the gateway to Mount Everest's northern base camp. The city has a cold highland climate with strong sunshine and large day-night temperature swings at high altitude. For an international student, Shigatse offers monasteries, Himalayan scenery, and traditional Tibetan foods like tsampa and yak butter tea.