Gyangze Palkor Monastery in Tibet.

“Xigaze is my hometown,

It has a beautiful river,

Grandma says the sheep and cattle that roam its hillsides are Buddha’s blessing.

White clouds in the blue sky,

Wavelets on the clear river,

Eagles flying overhead.

They sing an old song that forever touches my heart.”

This haunting song Hometown, written and sung by Han Hong, is her personal tribute to Xigaze.

Xigaze is on the southwest border of China, at the confluence of the Yarlung Zangbo and Nyangqu rivers. The city is bounded on the south by Nepal and Bhutan and surrounded by Ngari, Nagqu, Lhasa and Shannan on all other sides. As Tibet’s second largest city and the residence of the Panchen Lama, Xigaze is a center of politics, economy and culture.

Xigaze’s rich culture, traditional architecture and imposing southern scenic backdrop of the majestic Himalayas attract travelers from all over the world. They flock to its monasteries, Parlha Manor and the 30,000-sq-km Mt. Qomolangma Natural Reserve. Many come to witness the time honored annual ceremony of sunning the giant Buddhist thangka at Tashilhunpo Monastery, and to enjoy the Tibetan opera performances at Xalhu Monastery.

Xigaze has a total 82,000 residents of diverse ethnicities, all of whom are keen to advance their plateau home by learning from and keeping pace with China’s more economically prosperous coastal cities.