With its population of forty five thousand, the city of Shigatse is not only Tibet’s second largest city and administrative centre for the south of the country, it also boasts one of the most beautiful monastery districts in the Himalayas.

The Tashilunpo Monastery, the ‘Mountain Of Blessing’, is situated at the western end of the city that lies at an altitude of three thousand nine hundred metres above sea level and is closely associated with the second most important spiritual heads of Tibet, the Panchen Lamas.

The sight of the faithful who walk with their prayer mills around the monastery complex is quite an experience for most Westerners who come here and despite the severe political climate of the recent past the significance of Tashilunpo for the Tibetan people remains just as strong today as it has always been.

Shigatse and the historic Tashilunpo Monastery will no doubt attract great hordes of pilgrims for many years to come.