Mt. Shishapangma is an 8027-m mountain located in Tibet of China. It is the 14th highest mountain in the world and the lowest 8000er on earth. Mt. Shishapangma is the only 8000er that is entirely located in China and the last 8000er to be summited. Mt. Shishapangma is located in southwest Tibet in Nyalam County (Nielamu) of Shigatse Prefecture bordering Nepal in the central part of Himalaya. It is 120km west to Mt. Everest and only 5km to the actual border with Nepal. The massif of Shishapangma consists of several high peaks that are over 7000m. Its glaciers of crevasses and seracs are as long as several kilometers.

Shishapangma Trek

Mt. Shishapangma is also called Mt. Gosainthan. A trek to Shishapangma is one of the most beautiful treks in China with stunning views of big mountains including Mt. Shishapangma itself, big and amazing alpine lakes as well as the seracs of glacier moraine. The area of Mt. Shishapangma is by large a wild land and also home to many wildlife including wild ass, fox, lynx, wolves, bears, etc. A trek to Shishapangma has grown its popularity in recent years among domestic hikers. Shishapangma Trek is considered in general not a super hard trek with relatively easy terrain comparing to Nepal EBC trek or Tibet EBC trek. The only challenge for Shishapangma trek is its high altitude.

Highlights of Shishapangma Trek

Mt. Shishapangma and Other Mountains

Mt. Shishapangma is at 8027-m above sea level, one of the high mountains in central Himalaya. It is the 14th highest mountain in the world and of the 14 8000ers on earth. Mt. Shishapangma has three summits that are around 8000m: the main summit is 8027m and the central summit that is at 8008m. West summit of Shishapangma is at 7996m. There are total 5 peaks above 7000 meters in Shishapangma Massif. Mt. Mola Menqing (7703m) is located 3km east to Mt. Shishapangma. Mt. Mola Menqing looks more prominent from the east side. The other 7000er include Pungpa Ri (7468m), Yebo Kangal Ri (7365m), Nyanang Ri (7119m).

South and west to Shishapangma Massif there are other big mountains by the border with Nepal including Lenpo Kang (6979m), Bhairav Takura (6733m), Gurkarpo Ri (6892m), Ramthang Karpo Ri (6830m), Pemthang Ri (6757m), Gyalsten (6151m), Jugal (6500m) and Phurbi Chachu (6637m), to name just a few.

Shishapangma Mountains in Glow

Lakes

There are many lakes in Shishapangma Mountains. A Shishapangma Trek will cover the main lakes in this region. Its flat terrain provides good conditions of forming big lakes. Lakes by the northwest face of borderline with Nepal include Dara Lake, Kang Lake. Kang Lake is a turquoise glacier lake by the foot of Gyalsten and Bhairav Takuru. Kang Lake is also called Gyalongtso. In the central part of Shishapangma Mountains the three big lakes are Gomtso Lake, Galongtso and Gangshitso. Gomtso is considered by many hikers as the most beautiful lake in a Shishapangma Trek partly due to its easier access that hikers will usually have one/two nights camping here just by the lake. Galongtso is located by the east of Nyanang Ri, Pungba Ri and southeast of Mola Menqing. The glaciers of these mountains feed into the big lake. East to Mola Menqing is Gangshitso that is located by the elevation of 5230m. Both Galongtso and Gangshitso will require extra hiking to see its full views from the usual hiking routes.

There are also many other smaller lakes in Shishapangma that some don’t even have names. East to the three main lakes of Shishapangma there are numerous smaller lakes that are usually seen via drones. The glacier lake by the north of Shishapangma is another stunning lake by the elevation of 5600m. All the lakes make the trek in Shishapangma more worth the time.

Shishapangma Trek

Shishapangma Trek

Glaciers of Seracs

The mountain massif of Shishapangma is called Kurgang Ri Massif. Total glacier and permanent snow-covered area is as large as 6,000 square kilometers and mainly by the Shishapangma mountains. The longest glacier is Yebo Kangal Glacier that is 13.5km by the north of the massif. West to Yebo Kangal Glacier is Porong Glacier (Dachu Glacier). Northeast of Mt. Shishapangma is the Shishapangma Glacier (Geya Glacier). By the south of the massif is the 16-km long Phu Chu Glacier that extends to around 4550m to the bushes. The glaciers with seracs are usually located between the elevation of 5000m and 5800m in Shishapangma. The glacier of Yebo Kangal by the north is the best representative of such glacier forms. These seracs and towers stand on the glacier moraine, some are as tall as over 10 meters, providing an absolute stunning view.

Shishapangma Trek

Shishapangma Trek

How to Get to Shishapangma

To do a Shishapangma Trek one can start from Lhasa. From Lhasa it is around 700km to drive to Nyalam, the last county-level town on the 318 highway before its end by the border with Nepal. From Lhasa one passes the town of Shigatse, Lhatse County, Tingri County and then arrive Nyalam County. From Nyalam a short drive up Phu Chu River one starts the trek of Shishapangma. This trek will usually end by the east of the mountains near the village of Ena where road access is available.

Another possible starting place is from Kathmandu in Nepal where you apply a land visa and enter from Dram and arrive in Nyalam in only 160km drive.

Shishapangma Trekking Season

The good season to trek Shishapangma is May, June and September, October. The second best seasons are July, August. The other seasons still possible but may be too cold. Shishapangma has a very changing weather in general due to its high elevation. Shishapangma in Tibetan means cold climate and changing weather. Each year from June to mid-September is the monsoon season and will usually have foggy weather. From November to the next February it is the long winter of Shishapangma when temperature drops to -40C or even lower. The window between winter and summer are good for trekking in general but in recent years the weather has become more changing and less stable due to climate change.

Shishapangma Trek

Shishapangma Trek

Shishapangma Trekking Planning

The classic way of trekking Shishapangma starts from the town of Nyalam and up the Phuchu River by the south of Shishapangma Massif and then onto the southeast valley to the three big lakes by the east of Shishapangma Massif then to the east by the village of Ena where it is accessed by road. This classic trek plan of Shishapangma takes total 6 days from and back to Nyalam. The classic Shishapangma Trek is total around 60km of walking. It has very open views along the whole trek. Note this kind of trek usually provides excellent trekking experience due to its open views all the time. Most of the peaks are within 10km direct distance while trekking. All day you will be surrounded by mountains and some days lakes too.

Some planning of Shishapangma trek will add on another 3-4 days to its north BC by driving from either Ena or Nyalam to North Shishapangma BC and then walk a long day to see its glacier seracs at over 5500m, making the trek total 10 days. Yebo Kangal Glacier is the added destination of the extended Shishapangma Trek Plan. It provides chance to walk inside the amazing tall seracs of Yebo Kangal Glacier by the north of Shishapangma.

The town of Nyalam has made the access and supply of Shishapangma Trek very convenient. It’s only 5km drive from Nyalam to trekking start point and it’s only 35km drive on good road from end of trek back to Nyalam.

To start from Lhasa normally you need 2 extra days of driving and this helps with acclimating. To start from Kathmandu in Nepal it is 160km of driving to Nyalam. This trek involves walking and sleeping at over 5000m. Acclimating is absolutely necessary to avoid mountain sickness. For domestic hikers a preferred starting place is Lhasa for better acclimating and along the way some will also add on visits to EBC from the north side.

Shishapangma Trek

Trekking Information

The trekking terrain in Shishapangma is in general gradual. The trek has open views almost everyday. Elevation of the classic trek of Shishapangma is between 4000m and 5200m. The extended trek to north BC of Shishapangma goes to around 5700m. Camping is necessary on this trek. Total walking distance is 60km for the classic trek. Elevation is the biggest challenge of Shishapangma Trek.

Xinde Camp is at 4600m above the town of Nyalam by Phuchu River. It provides excellent views of mountains including Lenpo Ri, Bhairav Takura, Gurkarpo Ri and Pemthang Karpo Ri. Gyigarpo Camp is a camp at 4700 higher than Xinde Camp with similar views. Zuzu Camp is at 4900m with open views of mountains including Pemthang Karpo Ri and Mt. Shishapangma. Gomtso Camp is by the lake of Gomtso at 5200m. It is considered by many hikers as the most beautiful camp with stunning views of mountains of Shishapangma over the lake.

Nyalam has decent accommodations and place for supply of food. While in the mountain you are recommended to use a company to sort out the porter, meals and camping gears for you. Foreign travelers are required to have Tibet travel permit while traveling in Tibet. A trek to Shishapangma will also require a travel permit and to submit your travel plan.