Tibetan Business Highlights

Tibetan Business Highlights is part of the heartbeat of this site. It is a platform to promote small businesses of excellence throughout Tibet who are continually seeking to improve their services. As this feature of Tibetpedia develops, we hope to have a broad range of services represented: guesthouses, homestays, restaurants, guiding services, drivers, horse trekking operators, etc. We aim to not only help raise awareness of these businesses, but also to lend credibility to the businesses profiled here so that foreign travellers will experience the best of Tibetan service and hospitality.

Large portions of tourism resources across Tibet fail to benefit businesses run by the local people. Instead, businesses owned and operated from outside these areas often receive the majority of benefit. This feature of Tibetpedia aims to help ensure locally operated businesses benefit from the tourism resources in their locale. Not every business found here is necessarily locally owned. We also value promoting businesses that hire local employees, purchase from locally run businesses, and generally promote the best possible interest of Tibetans as they do business in this region.

We believe the businesses profiled below will enable travelers to have insider access to the best service and most authentic experience of Tibetan service and hospitality.

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Most Recent Business Highlights

Tibetan Craft Beer – The King of Yaks

The King of Yaks is a Tibetan Craft beer brand founded by the young herdsman Norbu and his team in 2016. The brewery is located at the junction of the G318 National Road and S215 Provincial Road at Golothong Village, Xinduqiao. Brewed on the roof of the world, their creation is a Tibetan Highland …

Kadhak

How many uses are there for yak milk? Whatever your answer, you’re sure to have missed high-end organic balms and moisturizer creams made by the up-and-coming social enterprise, Kadhak. Established in 2018, Kadhak is a socially-conscious, Tibetan-run company founded by Sonam Chodron, and her co-founders Dolma Lhamo. Sonam is a …

Akhustonpa Tibetan Restaurant

Located in the well-known Tibetan city of Shangri-La the Akhustonpa Tibetan Restaurant is a comfortable, peaceful, and relaxing place for any traveler to stop by and have a traditional Tibetan meal. Akhustonpa was started by a local Tibetan man, Nyima Wangdu, and his Naxi wife, Yang Zi Feng. For many …

Gongkar Dzong Castle Lodge

Gongkar Dzong Castle Lodge is located on a small hillside in beautiful Xinduqiao, a beautiful town in Eastern Tibet. Gongkar originally means “white mountain” but has come to mean “holy mountain” in the local area. Dzong literally means Lodge. The English name includes the word “castle,” as the stone lodge resembles a castle. Gongkar Dzong Castle Lodge was founded by four young, passionate Tibetan entrepreneurs: Orgyen, Norbu, Gongbu and Niyma. They are all from the same area and love their hometown. The Dream is Born It all started in 2012 New Years when they returned to their hometown to celebrate with family. They discovered many kinds of new hotels and hostels popping up in their hometown. Yet, none of them seemed to provide an opportunity to show visitors the local culture and the stunning land. These four friends felt pity that visitors would travel such a long distance to get there, and then leave without experiencing the local authentic culture nor the real beauty of the land. One of them expressed, “No one knows our hometown better than us.” Another then said, “No one will do it if we young Tibetans don’t.” So, the idea of building a Tibetan style lodge in their hometown was born. All four jumped into action right away as most entrepreneurs do. A Labor of Love; A Vision of Beauty It took them four years to build the lodge. In those four years, they faced many challenges and difficulties. But with hard work, they overcame them all and successfully finished building the lodge in July 2015. They started receiving and guests to their lodge and helped them explore the surrounding area and experience their unique Tibetan culture. The Lodge is situated in a prime location to view Gongga Mountain from your bedroom window or from the lawn …

Geji Nyima Tribe Homestay

Two and a half hours north of Chengdu, there is a valley. In that valley, there is a village. And in that village, there are nearly 200 Tibetan families. Most of those families open their homes to travelers. One of the best that we’ve found is the Geji Nyma Tribe …

Kailash Restaurant & Bar

In the heart of Shangri-la Old Town, down a stone paved street and through a small alleyway, there lies a modest and vibrant Tibetan restaurant—the Kailash Restaurant & Bar. Though surrounded by low buildings, it is easily found because of the large, white stupa outside its front door. The restaurant’s …

Three Brother’s Café

The Owner of Three Brother's Cafe

Three Brother’s Café is nestled into the heart Shangri-La old town and offers a wide variety of Indian Food. The current owner moved to India in order to explore his Buddhist Heritage. While there, he discovered his passion for the Indian culinary arts. After twelve years of cooking experience, he …

Taoshi Yongdeng Tibetan Bar

A Kangding Gem The Taoshi Yongdeng Tibetan Bar is a Tibetan restaurant in the older part of Kangding town (Sichuan province). The uniquely-structured restaurant is located up a flight of stairs and is always filled with guests—local customers and tourists from around the world. And they all have one thing …

Taoping Qiang Village & Erma Guesthouse

Taoping Qiang The Qiang people are the oldest minority in China, with a long and interesting history. They live in Sichuan province and have their own spoken language. They do not, however, have a written language. If you want to learn about the architecture and lifestyle of the Qiang minority, …

Norden Camp, Glamping in Amdo Tibet

Norden Camp Amdo Tibet

Glamping Is a Thing Glamping is a new word to the Oxford English Dictionary (as of 2016). Formed by the combination of the two words glamorous and camping, it describes a new breed of camping experience that blends the simplicity and back-to-earth elements of camping with all of the services, …

T.Lhamo Studio

T.Lhamo Studio

Tashi Lhamo was the founder of T.Lhamo studio. She is a passionate and hardworking fashion designer who has a cool and cozy shop in Chengdu where she keeps herself busy designing and selling clothes to her customers. Tashi Lhamo was born into a nomadic family, in Hong Yuan County of …

Zhilam Hostel

Zhilam Hostel is perched on a hillside above the city of Kangding, offering amazing views of Kangding town and the local mountains. After a short and invigorating climb (or taxi ride) up the narrow, winding road to the guesthouse, you will find this haven of coziness and hospitality a welcome reprieve from the bustling town below. …

Desti Youth Park Hostel

Kelsang Phuntsok is a young Tibetan entrepreneur who is the owner of Desti Youth Park hostel. He was raised and very much influenced by his great-grandfather Richan Pizu, who in his younger days worked on the tea road as a horseman. Kelsang grew up listening to Richan’s endless and marvelous …

Bodhi Inn (Boutique Hotel)

Bodhi Inn boutique hotel is just at the entrance of the charming Shangri-La Old Town. The hotel is also situated very close to the bus station. When you enter the hotel, you notice the beautiful Tibetan-style decorations right away. It is obvious that the Bodhi Inn gives special attention to detail, …

Gesar Hotel

Shigatse is a place you don’t want to miss if you travel to Tibet. As the second largest city in Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), Shigatse is full of fascinating history and local culture. Shigatse is a modernized city where travelers can find many spots to enjoy the hospitality of the …

Zang Yuan Qing Tibetan Restaurant

Entrance to Zang Yuan Qing Tibetan Restaurant

In Maerkang city you will find a small and cozy local Rgyal Rong restaurant called “ Zang Yuan Qing Tibetan Restaurant ”. It’s simple inside but the food is very tasty and delicious. The basic menu offers the best local Tibetan food with fresh pork, yak meat, and organic vegetables. …

De Le Tibetan Restaurant

entrance to De Le Tibetan Restaurant

There is a beautiful Rgyal Rong Tibetan town on the way to Maerkang Town, named Zhuo Ke Ji town. Zhuo Ke Ji is well-known place because the Zhuo Ke Ji Tusi Official Manor (a chieftain house) and the Xisuo Tibetan villages are located there. The town is just across from …

Huahu Daqian Shijie

Entrance to Huahu Daqian Shijie

Ruoergai grassland is the second largest grassland in the Tibetan regions and it is also one of the most beautiful marshland in China. This grassland is home to yaks, sheep, and horses, while the marsh is officially recognized as the homeland of the black necked crane. Ruoergai is one of …

Nima’s Homestay

Entrance to Nima's Homestay

Muni valley is located in Huanglong National Park, 36km west of Songpan County Town, and ranges in altitude between 2800m at the entrance to 4070m on the mountain peak. You will find a very nice local Tibetan homestay called “Nima’s homestay ” in the beautiful Muni valley. Nima’s homestay is one …

Snow Land Tibetan Massage Center

Entrance to Snow Land Tibetan Massage Center

We all know that traveling can be fun and exciting, but sometimes it can be a very tiring experience. This can be especially true when traversing over some of the more rugged terrain that can be found on the Roof the World – Tibet. Thankfully, to help you relax, refresh, …