Shigatse, used to be called Tsang by Tibetan, is an ancient region at the altitude of 3,830m above the sea level. As the second largest city of Tibet, Shigatse is most famous as the seat of the Panchen Lama, who has been regarded by Tibetans (except those in Lhasa) to be on equal footing with the Dalai Lama. Shigatse connects with three countries of Nepal, Bhutan and Sikkim in the south, Ngari in the west, Nagqu in the north and Lhasa and Shannan in the east. It occupies an area of 176,000 square kilometers.