After breakfast, we said goodbye to Everest Town and began our journey back to Shigatse. It felt bittersweet leaving this remote corner of the Himalayas behind.
This post is part of our 13-day Tibet journey, documenting each day of our journey across Nyingchi, Lhasa, Everest Base Camp, and the Qinghai–Tibet Railway. Read the full itinerary here.
Leaving Everest Town & One Last Look at Mount Everest
We caught the sunrise at Everest Town, watching the soft morning light slowly reveal the snow-capped peaks around us. Before hitting the road, we took in our last glimpse of Mount Everest, standing tall and majestic against the clear sky – a sight that still felt surreal even after days in the region.
Soon, we were back on the winding mountain roads, retracing our way through vast, rugged landscapes.
Because we set off early, there was no photo queue at the entrance of Mt Qomolangma National Nature Preserve. When we stopped for a quick toilet break, we took the opportunity to snap some photos – something we didn’t get to do when we arrived before.
Lunch was at the same restaurant we had visited on our way to Everest Town, with its familiar heater furnace that everyone wanted to bring along with them.
Tashilhunpo Monastery, Shigatse
After lunch, we headed to Tashilhunpo Monastery, the sacred resting place of the Panchen Lama and one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug (Yellow Hat) school of Tibetan Buddhism. Founded in 1447 by the First Dalai Lama, Gendun Drup, the monastery later became the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas, giving it immense spiritual and historical importance.
Walking into the monastery complex, you immediately feel the weight of history. The scale of the place is impressive, yet it still feels very much alive – monks going about their daily routines, pilgrims quietly offering prayers, and the scent of incense lingering in the air.
One of the highlights of Tashilhunpo Monastery is the world’s largest bronze statue of Maitreya Buddha, also known as the Jampa (Jamba) Buddha. Standing at an astonishing 28 metres tall, the statue is housed inside a dedicated hall. Seeing it up close was truly humbling.
We also paid our respects at the Stupa of the 10th Panchen Lama, an important pilgrimage site within the monastery complex. Ornate and deeply symbolic, this was a quiet, reflective stop – a contrast to the long and physically demanding journeys we had made over the past few days.
Back in Shigatse
By evening, we returned to Shigatse for the night. We are staying back at Shigatse Chomura Zong Urcove Hotel and dinner was served at the hotel, but by this point, we were honestly quite tired of the same standard Chinese set meals. Craving something different – and thanks to our hotel’s convenient location – we decided to step out and explore the local food scene.
Just outside the hotel was a whole row of restaurants, buzzing with activity. After walking around a bit, we settled on a restaurant packed with locals – always a good sign.
We ordered grilled skewers, which were absolutely delicious and hit the spot after a long day. Many of the restaurants here operate 24 hours, and several are halal or Muslim-friendly, meaning no pork is served. It’s something to take note of and respect when ordering food in this region.
After a satisfying late night meal, we headed back to our room to rest for the night. Downstairs, under the starry night sky, the streets were still lively, with people chatting, eating, and going about their evenings.
It wasn’t the most physically demanding day compared to Everest Base Camp, but it felt meaningful in a different way – grounding, spiritual, and rich with history. A good balance before continuing the journey ahead.
Tomorrow’s journey takes us back to Lhasa. Continue reading: Day 10: Shigatse – Lhasa