Gyangtze Travel Guide

Covers an area of 3,800 km² and with a population of 61,000, Gyantse in southern Tibet is perched between the Gandise Mountain and Himalayas. Situated at the Nyangchu valley, the city is 254 km from Lhasa. It holds a very important position because it is the gate to Lhasa from Sakya and Shigatse. 
 

History

With a history of more than 600 years, Gyantse was the capital of an ancient fiefdom. It once was a major center for trade with India. In 1904, the city became a battlefield when the British Army attacked the city thus the name “Hero City”. The county was set up in 1959 and merged into Shigatse in 1964.
 

Attractions

Gyantse is a must to visit place for most first time travelers in Tibet. Gyantse tourism is known for its monasteries, Old Town and Dzong Fortress. Palkhor Monastery regarded as the center of Gyantse boasts the Kumbum, the town's foremost attraction with impressive murals and statues.

Dzong Fortress witnessed the war between the brave Tibetan and British invaders and is the best persevered ancient Tibetan government office. Palgor Chorten 2km southwest of Gyantse town is the only remaining manor in the old time in Tibet. Rabse Nunnery, a delightful place decorated with prayer flags, chörtens and mani lhakhangs, is also worth a visit.
 

Transportation

Gyantse is 90km from Shigatse and 260km from Lhasa. Travelers can take a flight to Lhasa or Shigatse and there are buses to Gyantse on a regular basis between 10am and 8pm. Most people arrive by organized tours or by taxi which takes 1.5 hours.

Most sights can be seen on foot since the town is quite small. Taxis are available and you can also rent a bicycle.
 

Weather and Climate

Gyantse has an extreme climate with great difference between day and night temperatures. The monsoon season from July to October has much rainfall and the temperature is quite low from November to April.
 

Food and Restaurants

Visitors have a number of local options in the north of Gyantse with family dining and street food as well as in the modern southern with Tibetan, Nepali, Chinese Muslim and Han Chinese restaurants.
 
Restaurant of Zhuang Yuan: English Menu with tasty Chinese dishes.
Address: Yingxiong Nanlu
Phone: +86 0139 8059 6328

Naychung Café
Address: Yingxiong Nanlu
Phone: +86 0892 892 2223

Yak Restaurant: pizza, yak burgers, sizzlers and Western breakfasts.
Address: Yingxiong Nanlu
Price: mains Y15-35
Hours: 7am-11pm

Gyantse Kitchen: mainly offer Nepalese food also western food.
Address: Shanghai Zhonglu
Price: dishes CNY15-40
Hours: 7 am-midnights
 

Shopping

Carpet in Gyantse is considered to be the best in Tibet. Visitors can shop from the Carpet Factory on the north side of Gyantse Dzong Fortress. For self-catering there's a market directly opposite the Restaurant of Zhuang Yuan.

Gyantse Carpet Factory
Address: No 3 North Road, Gyantse, Tibet.
Openning: Mon-Sat, 9am-1pm, 3-7:30pm
Phone: +86 0892 817 2004
 

Accommodation

Recommended Hotels in Gyantse
Gyantse Hotel: best hotel in town
Address: NO 8 Yingxiong Nan Lu
Phone: +86 0892 817 2222

Jianzang Hotel: wins on overall value, charm and friendliness.
Address: No.14 Yingxiong South Road
Phone: +86 0892 817 3720

Yeti hotel Gyantse
Address: No.11 Weiguo Lu
 

Travel Tips

1. Be sure your Tibet Travel Permit is in order.
2. Another CNY15 is required if you take a camera into the Pelkor Chode Monastery.
3. You can apply a travel permit at Shigatse Public Security Bureau.
4. Bicycle Rentals are available at Gyantse Hotel for around CNY 5 per hour.
5. Be careful to avoid altitude sickness.
6. April to June is the best time to visit Gyantse.