The Gesar Hotel is one of the established upper mid-range hotels in Shigatse, decorated throughout with Tibetan furniture, painted columns and artwork in its lobby and corridors. Rooms are comfortable and heated, with attached bathrooms and hot water, which matters before the colder nights further west at Rongbuk, Saga or Manasarovar. It is a short drive from Tashilhunpo Monastery.
We book the Gesar on our Tibet group tour, Lhasa–Everest tour and Kailash yatra with Lhasa fly-in when available. It has a restaurant serving Chinese and Tibetan dishes and can prepare vegetarian food. Like many hotels in Tibet, its facilities can change between seasons, so we confirm details when we reserve. If the Gesar is full, we use a comparable 4-star hotel in Shigatse.
Why we book it
- Tibetan-style rooms and public spaces with real character
- Heated rooms and hot water before the higher nights west
- Short drive to Tashilhunpo Monastery
Best for
- Couples
- Families
- Groups
- Pilgrims
Questions travellers ask
Is the Gesar Hotel Shigatse a good choice for tours?
Yes. It is one of the hotels most used by tour groups in Shigatse, with Tibetan decor, heated rooms and a restaurant. It is comfortable rather than luxurious. We use it on our Tibet circuits and Lhasa-route Kailash yatras when rooms are available.
How far is the Gesar Hotel from Tashilhunpo?
It is a short drive from Tashilhunpo Monastery, usually 5–10 minutes depending on traffic. Our guide and vehicle handle the transfer, and the monastery visit is scheduled for the morning after arrival or the same afternoon.
Do hotels in Shigatse have oxygen?
Some Shigatse hotels supply oxygen in rooms or at reception, but not all, and arrangements change. Our groups carry their own oxygen in the vehicle. At 3,840 m, most travellers who have already spent nights in Lhasa feel fine.
