Gyantse Guide - Attractions, Transporation, Weather, Tours

Top Gyantse Attractions

Owing the long history and special geographic position, there is plenty more to see. Gyantse’s greatest sight must be Gyantse Kumbum in Palcho Monastery, the outstanding architectural wonder and the largest chorten survived in Tibet. In addition to that, Pala Manor and Gyantse Dzong are the good places to catch a glimpse of the old life of Tibetan nobles and explore the heroic history. Besides, Gyantse also shows a view of idyllic scenery. During late spring and autumn, you might see the sowing and reaping scenes.

• How to Get to Gyantse

  

  Situated on the Sino-Nepalese Friendship Highway, Gyantse can be easily reached by driving.

  Lhasa to Gyantse: People usually travel to Gyantse from Lhasa and then continue their journey to Shigatse. Lhasa is the transfer center in Tibet, and well-connected with many major cities in China by flights and trains. It is also available to take an international flight to Lhasa from Kathmandu. After a short stay in Lhasa, tourist can spend about 5.5 hours on the journey to cover a distance about 260km to Gyantse. On the road between Lhasa and Gyantse, you will meet with Yamdrok Lake and Korala Glacier. Generally, the road is in good condition, but you will go uphill and downhill along the winding road while getting close to Yamdrok Lake. Make sure you that you fasten the seat belt and hold the handrails.

  Shigatse to Gyantse: Gyantse is only about 94km to Shigatse within 2 hours’ driving. Some people will travel to Gyantse from Shigatse – Shigatse can be reached by flight from Chengdu and by train from Lhasa. The road connecting Shigatse and Gyantse is rather smooth and straight. Read more>

• Best Time to Visit Gyantse

  

  Gyantse enjoys a plateau monsoon climate with sufficient sunshine, strong ultraviolet radiation and small yearly temperature difference but large temperature difference between day and night. The spring is still chilly and begins to get warmer on April when the farmer start to plant the highland barley. The summer enjoys an average temperature of 15~22 ℃, rather warm in day but cold at night. When the autumn comes, the temperature becomes changeable. In this season for reaping, Gyantse turns to a golden city full of harvest. The winter in Gyantse is undoubtedly cold but the sunshine is not absent.

  The best time to visit Gyantse ranges from April to October when the temperature is proper and weather is always good. Because of the high altitude of over 4,000km and the strong ultraviolet ray, you need to prepare some thick clothes to keep warm as well as hat, sunglasses, sunscreen etc. to protect you from sunburn. Read more>

• Where to Accommodate in Gyantse

  

  As an important tourist destination connecting Lhasa and Shigatse, Gyantse provides enough hotels for tourists. However, there aren’t any luxury hotels in Gyantse at present and the offered facilities are always limited. Recommended hotels include:

  Gyantse Hotel – Gyantse Hotel is a 3-star hotel located in the center and ancient city of Gyantse. It has 120 different-typed rooms, like western style room, Tibetan style room, deluxe room, standard room etc. Several dining hall are available to offer Tibetan food, Chinese food, Nepal food etc. Hot water are supplied for 24 hours and free Wi-Fi is fully covered.

  Gyantse Jianzang Hotel – It is regarded as the best budget hotel in Gyantse with 2-star standard of amenities and services. Although the accommodation is rather basic, the staff is very friendly and helpful. Sometimes you can see the boss hanging out in the lobby and greeting the foreign guests in English. Read more>

• Go to Shigatse and Mount Everest

  

  Gyantse is always listed in the itinerary as a stopover tourist site rather than a final destination. Travelers always visit Shigatse or Everest passing through Gyantse.

  Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet, about 250km southwest from Lhasa. People come here for fantastic natural sight, featured Tibetan life and splendid monasteries. Tashilhunpo Monastery, the residence of Panchen Lama, is the most worth-seeing attraction in the city of Shigatse where the treasured statues of Buddha, precious stupas, and many Buddhist texts and numerous murals are cherished. Moreover, Shigatse is the starting point for real adventures. From Shigtaste, travelers take their road to the mysterious Everest and wild Ngari.

  Mount Everest is the highest peak in the world soaring to 8,848 meters. It has attracted numerous tourists as well as mountaineers to appreciate its beauty and holiness. It borders between Nepal and China, 385km to Shigatse. It takes about 9 hours driving time from Shigatse to Ronbuk Monastery – a wonderful viewpoint for Mount Everest. For experience hikers, you can choose to have a trek to EBC.