Major Economic Indicators (2010)
Shigatse Prefecture is located in the southern part of Tibetan Autonomous Region, at the intersection of Brahmaputra River and Nianchu River, bordering Bhutan, Sikkim and Nepal. It covers an area of 182,000 sq km with average altitude of 4,000 meters. There are a lot of ethnic groups, including Tibetans, the Han, the Mongols, and the Man, living in the area. The population of the prefecture amounted to 0.7 million by the end of 2009. Tibetans account for 97% of Shigatse's total population.
Shigatse has a plateau semi-dry climate without a bitterly cold winter or an extremely hot summer. The average temperature is 6.3°C. Dry and humid seasons of Shigatse are distinct. Most of the rainfall is in July and August.
Shigatse is rich in natural resources. Average runoff the Brahmaputra River and Nianchu River amounts to 27 billion cubic meters, while theoretical reserves of hydro-energy total 10 million kw. Shigatse also has access to sources of terrestrial heat. There are 94 hot springs located in the prefecture. The water temperature of Dajia Hot Spring, which is located in Ngamring County, is 85°C. In addition, solar energy is also well used by local people of the prefecture.
Shigatse is an important highway hub for Tibet. Sate Highway 318 (Shanghai-Youyi Bridge of Tibet), the Shigatse-Yadong Highway, the Lhasa-Pulan Highway, and the China-Nepal Highway, runs through the prefecture. There is no railway or airport in Shigatse. Gongga Airport, the largest in terms of passenger and cargo throughput in Tibet, is 400 km from the prefecture.
In Tibetan, Shigatse means “the best manor”. The prefecture was once the political and cultural center of Houzang Region (one of major area of Tibet). Generations of Panchen, major leaders of Tibetan Buddhism, have lived in the area.
Tibetan culture is dominant in Shigatse. Tibetans account for almost 98% of the prefecture's total population. The annual Buddha Exhibit Festival and Tiaoshen Festival, which comprises various religion dances, is representative of the local Tibetan culture.
Shigatse has natural beauty and a charming cultural heritage. Mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world, is located in the southern part of the prefecture. Zhashenlunbu Temple, founded by the First Dailai Lama in 1447, is the symbol of the prefecture. Baiju Temple, situated in Jiangzi County, has thousands of Buddha Towers and is appraised as the King of Towers in Tibet.
The cuisine of Shigatse is similar to the cuisine in other Tibetan areas. Various sausages, Qingke Liquor, Butter Tea, Hand Grab Mutton and Zanba, which is made from roasted qingke barley flour, are the staple foods of local Tibetans.
National Historical and Cultural Prefecture (1986)-State Council of P.R.China
