Shigatse, an ancient city with a history of over 600 years, is interpreted as the Manor of Gratification in Tibetan.

South of the city lies the Tashilhunpo (Zhaxi Lhunpo) Lamasery, one of the four lamaseries of the Galu sect of Lamaism and the residence of the Panchan Lama for long. Southeast of the city is situated the Xialu Lamasery, a cross between Han and Tibetan architecture, built during the Song (960-1279) and Yuan (1271-1368) dynasties. 

Backing against Nima Mountain, Shigatse, with an average elevation of 3,850 meters, is situated at the converging place of the Yarlung Zangbo River and the Nianchu River.

The city of Shigatse is the second largest city of Tibet, covering a land area of 8.92 square kilometers. With well-laid-out roads and unique architecture, the city is the birthplace of the Banchen II, the Banchen III, the Banchen IV and the Dalai II.

The city is located in the south of Tibet and the north of the Himalayas. The major terrain is plains, with six mountains with an altitude of more than 5,500 meters. The lowest elevation is 3,800 meters, while the highest is 6,646 meters. It is wet and warm in summer, while dry and cold in winter. There are 3,248 hours of sunshine, 118 days of frost-free period and 120mm precipitation annually.

Shigatse is the major agricultural producer as well as one of the bases of commodity grain in Tibet. Its economy relies on agriculture and animal husbandry.