In Tibetan ShishaPangma means 'bitter climate', which is a good description of the area. It is located in the middle part of the Himalayas and it consists of three peaks all with similar heights. About 200m and 400m northwest of the main peak, there are two apexes with height of 8,008 m and 7,966 m respectively. There are 14 mountains in the world over 8,000m, and Mt. ShishaPangma is number 14. It is also the only peak above 8,000 m entirely within the boundaries of China.

The most attractive aspect of Mt. ShishaPangma is its ice-towers, which in their various shapes and sizes lead you away to an imaginary world.