The only eight-thosander which is located in China, is known as Shishapangma which is the last mountain in the eitght thousands meter mountains ranking. Shishapangma is a name of Tibetan language which means “ Crest above the Grassy Plains”. Shishapangma was the last mountain peak climbed in the eight-thousands peaks category.

Shishapangma is located in Tibet. Photo by Juan Jose Aguilera

Shishapangma is also considered as a sacred place among the local community. Shishapangma  is located entirely within Tibet and for a long period, there remained a lots of  restrictions imposed by the Tibetan and the Chinese authorities on the foreigners to visit this region.

Shishapangma : Crest over the grassy plains

There is also an ancient tale associated with Shishapangma that once there occured a heavy snowfall that killed animals on this mountain. There was no food, but only the dead animals for the local people to eat. Therefore the people named this mountain as Shisha Pangma (shisha sbangma), symbolizing “meat of dead animals and malty dregs”. The first ascent on Shishapangma was made by a Chinese expedition via the northwest face and northeast ridge and face (“Northern Route”) on 2 May 1964. So far almost 25 people have died during the attempts made for its ascension. Shishapangma, the Crest above the Grassy Plains, is the lowest of the eight-thousanders, which has the total elevation of  8,013 m (26,289 ft).