Samzhubzê, Xigazê

In the 17th century, the city and the dzong was called Samdrubtsé (one of the transliterations of the current name). It was the capital of the Tsang.

In the 19th century, the "Tashi" or Panchen Lama had temporal power over Tashilhunpo Monastery and three small districts, though not over the town of Shigatse itself, which was administered by two Dzongpön (Prefects) appointed from Lhasa.Chapman, Spencer F. (1940). Lhasa: The Holy City, p. 141. Readers Union Ltd., London. The Tibetan territory was divided into 53 prefecture districts called Dzongs.Le Tibet, Marc Moniez, Christian Deweirdt, Monique Masse, Éditions de l'Adret, Paris, 1999, {{ISBN|2-907629-46-8}}

There were two Dzongpöns for every Dzong—a lama (Tse-dung) and a layman. They were entrusted with both civil and military powers and are equal in all respects, though subordinate to the generals and the Chinese Amban in military matters.Das, Sarat Chandra. (1902). Lhasa and Central Tibet. Reprint (1988): Mehra Offset Press, Delhi, p. 176. However, there were only one or two Ambans representing the Qing (Manchu) Chinese emperor residing in Lhasa, directing a little garrison, and their power installed since 1728, progressively declined to end-up as observer at the eve of their expulsion in 1912 by the 13th Dalai Lama. In 1952, shortly after the annexation of Tibet by the People's Republic of China, Shigatse had a population of perhaps 12,000 people, making it the second largest town in Tibet.Richardson (1984), p. 7.

In 1959, Shigatse was made the administrative center of an eponymous special district ({{lang|zh-hans|专区}}) of Tibet. In 1970 the special district was upgraded to a prefecture and the town designated a county. In 1986 the county became a county-level city, and when the prefecture was again upgraded to a prefecture-level city in 2014, the county-level city was redesignated a district and given the new name of Samzhubzê.{{cite web |last = Li |first = Zhe |script-title=zh:西藏日喀则成为中国最年轻地级市 |url = http://news.china.com.cn/txt/2014-07/14/content_32937772.htm |website = news.china.com.cn |publisher = China Internet Information Center |access-date = 13 July 2014 }} On 26 June 2014 Rikaze region upgraded to prefecture-level Rikaze city, the original county-level Rikaze city renamed Samzhubzê District.{{cite news |title=国务院批复同意西藏日喀则昌都撤地设市_地方报道_中国政府网 |url=https://www.gov.cn/xinwen/2014-11/03/content_2774244.htm |access-date=8 March 2024 |work=www.gov.cn}}

Samzhubzê lies on flat terrain surrounded by high mountains, and the urban area is located just south of the Yarlung Zangbo River. The city lies at an elevation of around {{convert|3840|m}}, and within its administrative area there are five peaks higher than {{convert|5500|m}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.tibetinfor.com.cn/web/gymcrkz/rkzs/2008020089295402.htm |script-title=zh:日喀则市概况 |website=tibetinfor.com.cn}}{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721141203/http://www.tibetinfor.com.cn/web/gymcrkz/rkzs/2008020089295402.htm |date=21 July 2011 }}. Accessed 26 May 2011. The city's administrative area ranges in latitude from 29° 07' to 29° 09' N and in longitude from 88° 03' to 89° 08' E.

Samzhubzê has a monsoon-influenced, alpine version of a humid continental climate (Köppen Dwb), with frosty, very dry winters and warm, wet summers. Temperatures are relatively moderate for the Tibetan Plateau, as the annual mean temperature is {{convert|6.48|°C|1}}. Barely any precipitation falls from November to March, when the diurnal temperature variation can frequently exceed {{convert|20|C-change|0}}. Nearly two-thirds of the annual rainfall occurs in July and August alone. Sunshine is abundant year-round, totaling 3248 hours annually.

Samzhubzê is rich in medicinal herbs, with more than 300 varieties of commonly used medicinal plants, such as Cordyceps, Bayberry, Tianma, Snowdrop, Rhodiola Rosea, Rhubarb, etc.

{{Weather box|width=auto

|metric first=y

|single line=y

|collapsed = Y

|location = Shigatse, elevation {{convert|3836|m|ft|abbr=on}}, (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1971–2000)

|Jan record high C = 18.6

|Feb record high C = 18.8

|Mar record high C = 22.9

|Apr record high C = 23.9

|May record high C = 28.5

|Jun record high C = 28.2

|Jul record high C = 28.2

|Aug record high C = 26.2

|Sep record high C = 24.4

|Oct record high C = 22.2

|Nov record high C = 21.1

|Dec record high C = 17.3

|year record high C =

|Jan record low C = −21.3

|Feb record low C = −19.4

|Mar record low C = −14.4

|Apr record low C = −9.5

|May record low C = −4.9

|Jun record low C = 0.6

|Jul record low C = 2.2

|Aug record low C = 0.5

|Sep record low C = −1.6

|Oct record low C = −9.8

|Nov record low C = −15.5

|Dec record low C = −18.6

|year record low C=

|Jan high C = 7.0

|Feb high C = 9.0

|Mar high C = 12.5

|Apr high C = 16.0

|May high C = 19.9

|Jun high C = 22.9

|Jul high C = 21.8

|Aug high C = 21.0

|Sep high C = 20.0

|Oct high C = 16.7

|Nov high C = 11.9

|Dec high C = 8.4

|Jan mean C = -2.6

|Feb mean C = 0.5

|Mar mean C = 4.6

|Apr mean C = 8.1

|May mean C = 12.0

|Jun mean C = 15.3

|Jul mean C = 14.9

|Aug mean C = 14.1

|Sep mean C = 12.6

|Oct mean C = 7.4

|Nov mean C = 1.2

|Dec mean C = -2.5

|Jan low C = -12.2

|Feb low C = -8.9

|Mar low C = -4.0

|Apr low C = 0.4

|May low C = 4.5

|Jun low C = 8.6

|Jul low C = 9.8

|Aug low C = 9.2

|Sep low C = 6.8

|Oct low C = -0.8

|Nov low C = -8.0

|Dec low C = -11.9

|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 0.1

|Feb precipitation mm = 0.4

|Mar precipitation mm = 0.6

|Apr precipitation mm = 5.2

|May precipitation mm = 20.7

|Jun precipitation mm = 66.0

|Jul precipitation mm = 149.8

|Aug precipitation mm = 145.2

|Sep precipitation mm = 52.0

|Oct precipitation mm = 3.7

|Nov precipitation mm = 0.5

|Dec precipitation mm = 0.5

|unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm

|Jan precipitation days = 0.3

|Feb precipitation days = 0.4

|Mar precipitation days = 0.8

|Apr precipitation days = 2.6

|May precipitation days = 6.1

|Jun precipitation days = 12.6

|Jul precipitation days = 20.2

|Aug precipitation days = 20.7

|Sep precipitation days = 12.5

|Oct precipitation days = 1.8

|Nov precipitation days = 0.3

|Dec precipitation days = 0.1

|year precipitation days =

|Jan humidity = 28

|Feb humidity = 25

|Mar humidity = 25

|Apr humidity = 32

|May humidity = 40

|Jun humidity = 50

|Jul humidity = 64

|Aug humidity = 68

|Sep humidity = 61

|Oct humidity = 44

|Nov humidity = 34

|Dec humidity = 33

|Jan sun = 260.4

|Feb sun = 244.0

|Mar sun = 280.0

|Apr sun = 278.5

|May sun = 301.8

|Jun sun = 278.6

|Jul sun = 227.4

|Aug sun = 222.5

|Sep sun = 247.5

|Oct sun = 286.3

|Nov sun = 276.5

|Dec sun = 267.8

|year sun =

| Jan percentsun = 80

| Feb percentsun = 77

| Mar percentsun = 75

| Apr percentsun = 72

| May percentsun = 71

| Jun percentsun = 67

| Jul percentsun = 54

| Aug percentsun = 55

| Sep percentsun = 68

| Oct percentsun = 82

| Nov percentsun = 87

| Dec percentsun = 84

| year percentsun =

|Jan snow days = 0.6

|Feb snow days = 1.2

|Mar snow days = 1.7

|Apr snow days = 4.3

|May snow days = 1.6

|Jun snow days = 0.1

|Jul snow days = 0

|Aug snow days = 0

|Sep snow days = 0

|Oct snow days = 0.6

|Nov snow days = 0.6

|Dec snow days = 0.4

|year snow days =

|source 1 = China Meteorological Administration{{cite web |url=http://data.cma.cn/data/weatherBk.html |script-title=zh:中国气象数据网 – WeatherBk Data |publisher=China Meteorological Administration |language = zh-hans |access-date=27 September 2023}}

{{cite web|url=https://experience.arcgis.com/template/e724038fda394e9d9b7921f10fd1aa55/page/%E7%BA%AF%E8%A1%A8%E6%A0%BC%E7%BB%9F%E8%AE%A1-(%E5%AF%B9%E6%AF%948110%E5%8F%98%E5%8C%96)/?org=UQmaps |script-title=zh:中国气象数据网|publisher=China Meteorological Administration |language = zh-hans | access-date =27 September 2023 |title=Experience Template }}

| source 2 = Weather China{{cite web

| url = http://www.weather.com.cn/cityintro/101140201.shtml?

| script-title=zh:日喀则 - 气象数据 -中国天气网

| publisher = Weather China

| language = zh

| access-date = 10 April 2023}}

}}

File:Tashilhunpo Monastery, Shigatse.JPG]]

File:Shigatse.jpg

Shigatse administers two subdistricts and ten townships.

File:The Jong or Fort of Shigatse 1902.jpg or fort, from Journey to Lhasa and Central Tibet by Sarat Chandra Das, 1902.]]

Samzhubzê contains the huge Tashilhunpo Monastery, founded in 1447 by Gendun Drup, the First Dalai Lama.Chö Yang: The Voice of Tibetan Religion and Culture. (1991) Year of Tibet Edition, p.79. Gangchen Kyishong, Dharmasala, H.P., India. It is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas. Until the Chinese arrived in the 1950s, the "Tashi" or Panchen Lama had temporal power over three small districts, though not over Samzhubzê itself, which was administered by a dzongpön (general) appointed from Lhasa. In the 2nd week of the 5th lunar month (around June/July), Tashilhunpo Monastery is the scene of a 3-day festival and a huge thangka is displayed.[http://www.lonelyplanet.com/china/tibet/shigatse "Introducing Shigatse."]

File:Bundesarchiv Bild 135-S-17-22-34, Tibetexpedition, Shigatse, Burg.jpg

Image:Gruschke ShigatseDzong.jpg) of Shigatse. 2007.]]

The imposing castle, Samdrubtse Dzong or "Shigatse Dzong", was probably built in the 15th century. It looked something like a smaller version of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, and had turret-like fortifications at the ends and a central Red Palace. It used to be the seat of the kings of Ü-Tsang and the capital of the province of Ü-Tsang or Tsang.Mayhew, Bradley and Kohn, Michael. (2005). Tibet, p. 172. 6th Edition. Lonely Planet Publications. {{ISBN|978-1-74059-523-0}}.

The castle was totally dismantled, rock by rock, by hundreds of Tibetans at the instigation of the Chinese in 1961.Tibet: a travel survival kit, p. 168. (1986). Michael Buckley and Robert Strauss. Lonely Planet Publications, South Yarra, Vic., Australia. {{ISBN|0-908086-88-1}}.Tibet: A Fascinating Look at the Roof of the World, Its People and Culture, p. 115. (1982). Elisabeth B. Booz. Passport Books. Between 2005 and 2007, the building was reconstructed, financed by donations from Shanghai. Such "Preservation and Reparation Project of Sangzhutse Fortress of Shigatse City" was completed in May 2007 and was designed by the Construction Design Institute of Shanghai Tongji University. Old photographs served as a basis for the reconstruction, which was executed in concrete.Cp. Shigatse Dzong https://www.flickr.com/photos/anyongfu/744385254/ Afterwards, the exterior was to be wainscotted with natural stones. The dzong, which in the 17th century served as a model for the construction of the Potala Palace, is set to become a museum for Tibetan culture.{{cite news |title=同济大学建筑设计研究院(集团)有限公司 |url=http://www.tjad.cn/project/41 |access-date=8 March 2024 |work=www.tjad.cn |language=zh-cmn-Hans}}{{cite news |title="小布达拉宫"――桑珠孜宗堡重现辉煌 |url=https://www.xzxw.com/lyrw/2015-03/21/content_1174746.html |access-date=8 March 2024 |work=www.xzxw.com}}

Nearby attractions include:

• Shalu Monastery
• Narthang, the first printing establishment in central Tibet{{cite book | last=McCue | first=G. | title=Trekking Tibet: A Traveler's Guide, 3rd Edition | publisher=Mountaineers Books | year=2010 | isbn=978-1-59485-411-8 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Tm9M3fSS-w0C&pg=PA167 | language=nl | access-date=2024-03-11 | page=167}}
• Mount Everest

• Samzhubzê is the hub of the road network between Lhasa, Nepal and western Tibet.
• Construction started in 2010 of the Lhasa–Shigatse Railway to Samzhubzê and was completed in 2014. Start operated on 15 August 2014. A further extension to the Nepalese border is planned.[https://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/28/world/asia/28briefs-RAILWAY.html "China: Building Starts on Rail Line to Tibet"] article by Andrew Jacobs in The New York Times 27 September 2010, accessed 28 September 2010
• The nearest railhead in India is the station of New Jalpaiguri, a suburb of Siliguri, West Bengal.
• Shigatse Peace Airport began operations on 30 October 2010 and was Tibet's fifth commercial airport. It is located 43 kilometres from central Shigatse at Jangdam Township at an altitude of 3,782 metres. The airport is designed to handle up to 230,000 passengers annually by 2020.{{Cite web|url=http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/7184049.html|title = Tibet's Xigaze Airport begins operations - People's Daily Online}}
• China National Highway 318

{{Reflist|32em}}

• Das, Sarat Chandra. 1902. Lhasa and Central Tibet. Reprint: Mehra Offset Press, Delhi. 1988. {{ISBN|81-86230-17-3}}
• Dorje, Gyurme. 1999. Footprint Tibet Handbook. 2nd Edition. Bath, England. {{ISBN|1-900949-33-4}}. Also published in Chicago, U.S.A. {{ISBN|0-8442-2190-2}}.
• Dowman, Keith. 1988. The Power-Places of Central Tibet: The Pilgrim's Guide, p. 59. Routledge & Kegan Paul. London. {{ISBN|0-7102-1370-0}} (ppk).
• Richardson, Hugh E (1984). Tibet and its History. Second Edition, Revised and Updated. Shambhala Publications, Boston. {{ISBN|0-87773-376-7}}.

{{Commons category|Samzhubzê}}

• [http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/historical/thejong_1902.jpg Fort of Shigatse in 1902], Perry–Castañeda Library Map Collection

{{Tibet Autonomous Region}}

{{Xigaze Prefecture}}

{{Towns in Xigazê}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Samzhubze District}}

Category:Populated places in Tibet

Category:Shigatse

Category:Populated places in Shigatse