The main thing to do in Xeger itself is climb to the Xegar Dzong ruins on the ridge above the town — a 45-minute scramble rewarded by panoramic views across the Tingri plain and the distant Himalayan peaks. The ruins of the fortified monastery are extensive enough to explore for an hour.
Xeger's real significance is as the gateway to Everest Base Camp on the Tibetan side. The turnoff is 10 km west of town; the road climbs to Pang La pass at 5,050 metres, where on clear mornings you can see five 8,000-metre peaks at once, then continues to Rongbuk Monastery (the highest monastery in the world) and the base camp at 5,150 metres. The trip requires a Tibet Tourism Bureau permit in addition to the standard TAR permit, and must be done with a registered guide and vehicle arranged in Lhasa.