Tsang Ancient City- Shigatse

Shigatse, the second largest city and the only county-level city of Tibet by now, is at the altitude of 3836 meters and 273 kilometers away from Lhasa.

Shigatse is an altiplano city with a history of 600 years, and the political and cultural city of Tibet. In the mid-13th century, the Shigatse was governed by the kri-pon, one of the 130,000 kri-pons. At the beginning of the 14th century, Tai Situ Xiangqusongzhan set up the Pazhu Dynasty in the place of Sakya Dynasty, and changed the political center to Shigatse. He also set up Xikasangzhuzi here, "Sangzhuzi" means one's wishes will all turn out, and "Xika" is the general name of the feudal manor. Xiangqujianzhan used "Xikangzhuzi" to show his aspirations had been fulfilled and it was the last administrative region been seted up there. Later on, "Xikangzhizi" was also referred to as "Xikazi", and at last, it was understood as Shigatse. At the northern part of the city, there is the sunlight mountain, where stands the Xikasangzhuzi castle and the old site is still there. The construction of the castle lasted for 3 years (1360-1363), and it was built along the mountain with 4 floors. People also call the castle the little Patala Palace. It is said that while building up the Palata Palace in Qing Dynasty, they took the castle as conference. The entire castle surrounded the sunlight mountain well, and the twist gallery linked the buildings, palaces and temples together. The lower 2 floors are the organizations, prisons and warehouses of the Zong government. In 1477 A.D, the 1st Dalai Lama, Gengdunzhunba, built the Tashihungpo Monastery. In the Kangxi 52 year, Panchen Erdene was awarded by the Qing government and took control of Shigatse, living in the castle. At the beginning of the 20th century, the 9th Panchen had some disputes with 13th Dalai Lama, so he leaved there. The Gaxiang government laid the Shigatse foundation, with 6 small sects. After the peaceful liberation of Tibet, according to the 17 treaty, the possession and authority of Panchen Erdene were maintained, and the 10th Panchen went back to the Tashihungpo Monastery. In 1960, Shigatse was a county, with the authorization of the State Council, so it was changed to a city in 1986. In 1951, the population there was only about 10,000, but now, it has been more than 40,000. The urban area is 22 square kilometers, 5 times more than before. The facilities of touring and public service of Shigatse are only inferior to Lhasa. The famous scenic spots there include Tashihungpo Monastery, Shalu Monastery and Natang Temple.