Songtsam Hotel
Overview
Located in the Songtsam Lama Temple, the largest Tibetan temple outside of the city proper, the Songtsam Hotel is a boutique hotel which offers a serene setting in which to experience traditional Tibetan life and local cuisine such as hotpot and spicy yak.
Owned by Tibetan antique collector Bai Ma, each hotel room is furnished with chests, rugs and sculptures from Bai Ma’s personal collection. The hotel has astonishing views of the Himalayas as the sun dances over their eastern slopes and drops sharply behind their huge peaks.
This is a unique place to let yourself succumb to the majesty of the Himalayas and immerse yourself in Tibetan culture. In the high valleys of Shangri-La, we hope you can find your own paradise on earth.
Shangri-La, Yunnan
Tibetan style house
26 rooms
Under construction.
Travel Information
Location
Kena Village, Shangri-la County, Yunnan Province, China.
How to get there?
Closest Airport
Diqing Shangri-La Airport [DIG], 15km or 9mi from the Songtsam Hotel.
Getting There From
Town of Shangri-La (4km or 2.5 mi): By taxi, CNY 25.
Diqing Shangri-La Airport [DIG] (15km or 9mi): By taxi, CNY 50.
Lijiang (200km or 124mi): Frequent coach bus from Lijiang to Town of Shangri-La, 4 hours, CNY 35. | Local rental car with driver, CNY 1,200.
Kunming Wujiaba International Airport [KMG] (700km or 435mi): Daily flights from KMG to DIG, CNY 700 per person. Proceed from DIG.
To arrange private vehicle, please contact hotel in advance.
Climate
Daily temperatures fluctuate greatly in Shangri-La, up to 20°C in range. Layered clothing is highly recommended for all seasons. Even in summer, warm clothing is necessary in case of low nightly temperatures and occasional snowfall.
- Rainy season starts in June and ends in September.
- Winter temperatures range from -3°C to 8°C (26°F to 47°F).
- Autumn & Spring temperatures range from 5°C to 20°C (41°F to 68°F).
- Summer temperatures range from 15°C to 30°C (59°F to 86°F).
Health
At a relatively high altitude of 3,300 m (10,827ft), some people suffer altitude stress in Shangri-La. Symptoms include headache, dizziness, shortness of breath, and pressure in the chest. To prevent altitude sickness or alleviate the symptoms, try to avoid drinking alcohol and strenuous activities.
Rainfall is hard to predict in Shangri-La. We recommend bringing rainwear even in the dry season.
Sun radiation is very strong all year-round. Sun protection is necessary to protect from burns and intense exposure.
Contact Information
Email: songtsam@yahoo.com.cn
Tel: +86 887.828.8889
Accommodations
The hotel rooms are compact and homely, each individually decorated in Tibetan style. Modern levels of comfort have been achieved using traditional methods and materials. For example, all sinks are handmade from copper, and beds are constructed in the Western style.
-
Double Room
Suitable for up to 2 persons. 15 square meters, king-size bed.
# of room: 7 -
Twin Room
Suitable for 2 persons. 15 square meters, double twin-size beds.
# of room: 8 -
Suite
Suitable for 2 persons. 22 square meters. Suite allows 1 extra bed.
# of room: 9 -
Deluxe Suite
Suitable for 2 persons. 30 square meters. Deluxe suite allows 2 extra beds.
# of room: 2
- Cable and satellite television
- Free Broadband & Wireless Internet
- International Direct Dial (IDD)
- 24-hour in-room dining
- 24-hour hot water
- Rates include breakfast at hotel.
- Extra bed is an additional charge per night.
- Two tickets to the Songzanlin Monastery are complimentary per room.
- VISA, MasterCard, AmericanExpress, UnionPay, & JCB credit cards accepted.
Facilities
- Boutique with Tibetan jewelry & handicrafts
- Library
Tibetan Restaurant
Capable of accommodating 60 guests and open all day long, the restaurant serves remarkable Tibetan cuisine and even acculturated Western cuisine, such as pizza with Tibetan cheese, matsutake, and olive oil. Being an organic restaurant, all ingredients are fresh, regional, and produced in a sustainable and natural way. Chicken extract, MSG, and any other artificial flavorings are absolutely excluded in Songtsam’s kitchen.
Rooftop BBQ
During weekends and special occasions, the hotel will hold a BBQ for guests. Guests are offered seasonal food which varies through out the year. The meal includes 4 meats, 4 vegetables, 2-3 types of fruit, and last, but certainly not least, a dessert. The cost is CNY 120 per person and is available upon request.
Day Experience
Day hike programs
Songtsam Hotel arranges day hikes of varying length and difficulty in nearby areas with vehicle and guide service. Guests can sign up for day hikes at the hotel for USD 100 per program.
Songzanlin Monastery
Constructed in 1679 and full of precious artifacts, the Songzanlin Monastery or ‘the little Potala Palace’ is actually the biggest Buddhist monastery in Yunnan and is currently home to 700 monks. During our visit, we will add colorful prayer flags adorned with Buddhist sutras to the thousands placed by previous pilgrims and may then follow devotees on the kora or the sacred path around the monastery. We cap our visit with tea and a optional private audience with a senior lama in his chambers (Private audience are subject to schedule of lamas and will only will only be arranged for groups of over 6 persons.)
Dinner party with local Tibetan family
A local family will treat us to an authentic Tibetan meal in their home. Expect yak to feature on the menu, since savory yak-butter tea, stewed yak meat and yak cheese are all staples of the local diet, highlighting the importance of the hardy animal to the people of this remote region. For groups with over 4 persons, we’ll party Tibetan-style by singing, dancing and drinking to our trip to Shangri-La after our dinner! This activity is arranged upon request at extra charges.
