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The Xigaze Zong Castle is located in the southwest of the place where the Brahmaputra and its tributary Nyang Qu River converge, at an altitude of 3,800 meters. Xiga means manor in Tibetan, so "Xigaze" means "a manor with best soil texture" (this manor, dominated by Rinbo Zong in the past, was called "Shika Sangzhoze"). Xigaze Zong Castle, called Sangzhoze Castle in ancient times, was built by King Qamqoi Gyaincain in 1354. Historically, it served as the seat of the government of the Xigaze Zong. Xigaze is home to the Tashilhungpo Monastery, the resident monastery of the Panchen Erdeni. It is the political and religious center of the Tsang. Now it is the seat of the people's governments of Xigaze Prefecture and Xigaze County. It is the agricultural and herding center and a traffic hub in the southwestern TAR. Important tourist attractions include the Tashilhungpo Monastery and the Shalu Monastery (1957)
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