Shangri-La Hotel & Resort in Tibet

Upon arrival, guests are greeted with an offering, a traditional ceremony in a white silk scarf. That is throwing some barley in a wooden container that Tibetans once used to pray for a good harvest season. Shangri -La also offers Lhasa travelers extensive food options. The more casual Lodger’s Lounge  or Shang Palace have Chinese theme, but the most impressive place is Shambala, which specializes in Tibetan and Yunnan cuisine.

Shangri-La Hotel & Resort in Tibet

Ester Marcaida, the general manager of Shangri-La Hotel Lhasa said that it is extremely important that, wherever there are hotels, they should adapt to the community and local culture and that their hotels reflect this authenticity through their designs and offers. The new 5-star hotel features the first oxygen room of a hotel in Lhasa. It has a sealed room treatment with glass walls and it is pressurized to match the density of air at sea level. It is a place where guests that arrive there can drink tea and participate inlocally inspired rituals.

Shangri-La Hotel & Resort in Tibet

Shangri-La Hotel & Resort in Tibet

While there, don’t miss the chance to visit the Sera Monastery that was founded by Sakya Yeshe in 1419 and is one of the largest monasteries in the city. Another one that is important to remember is the Gandan Monastery, located 60 km east of Lhasa. It was built by the founder of the Gelugpa family in the fifteenth century and includes the Academy of Yangbagyainjia sutras and Coquin room. A visit to Barkhor is also essential, as it is a center of trade where you can find souvenirs made exclusively by Tibetans as well as places where you can taste typical dishes based on the characteristics of cereals and goat cheese.

By +Nikos Kontorigas