Tag: Guesthouse

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, Taoping Qiang Village is the best place to go. The village is known as “Mysterious Oriental Castle” for its unique architecture and distinct flavor. Naturally, the houses are all made of stone and connect to each other by crisscrossed paths, which gives the village a cryptic feel.

Taoping Qiang New Village

Taoping Qiang Village is 130 kilometers (a two-hour drive) away from Chengdu. So, getting there for a day-trip or an overnighter is not out of the question. Once you get there, you’ll discover there are two sections to the village: an old and a new. The new village was built after the Wenchuan Earthquake in 2008 and it is free to wander around. The old village, however, has over 1,000 years of history and requires a 60RMB entrance fee. You don’t begrudge this because you find it worthwhile to see the impressive architecture that survived the earthquake.

Erma Guesthouse

Inside the village, there is a quaint guesthouse run by a local Qiang woman that provides excellent and friendly service to travelers.

The Yard of Erma Guesthouse

Erma Guesthouse is a cozy, 5-story accommodation. Each floor has guestrooms with clean bathrooms and comfortable beds. The 4^thand 5^thfloors have the best view of the village and the mountains. Outside, the courtyard is a great place for a cup of tea or coffee and a book. At mealtimes, they serve up specialty Qiang cuisine. Your lodging fee includes dinner and breakfast.

A Quiet Alley in the Old Village

A brief 5-minutes walk from the guesthouse brings you to a place called “Yangjia Yuan,” where you can see an ancient, underground water distribution system inside an old Qiang house. The house owner will take you on a tour for 30RMB. The tour gives you a better understanding of Qiang architecture, history, and lifestyle.

Another short walk from Erma Guesthouse will take you to a viewing platform overlooking the village. From here, the valley and the village are spectacular. So, be sure to check it out.

Taoping Qiang Village and Erma Guesthouse come with our highest recommendation.

A Happy Employee at Erma Guesthouse Shucking Corn for Guests

June 11, 2018
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.
Zhilam Hostel

Zhilam means “the path of peace” in Tibetan. The hostel is a place of peace and rest where travellers soon begin to feel like family. The owners, an American family, fell in love with Tibet and Tibetan people when they first traveled to Tibet. Kris and Stephanie dreamed of having a home in Tibet where they could welcome visitors into the mysterious and beautiful world of Tibet. Through passion and years of hard work, their dream has become a reality. For 12 years now, thousands of travelers from around the world have found themselves adopted by this generous family, many of which have extended their stay in Kangding just to enjoy an extra day or two of peace and rest in this hidden sanctuary. In Sep, 2019 Kris and Stephanie sold their business to a local Tibetan guy- Gongbu as local government enforced a law that foreigners are not allowed to run business within 300 meters of a government building. Zhilam Hostel is within 300 meters of a government building. Now, the owner of Zhilam Hostel is different but the staff and services are as same as usual.

The Yard of Zhilam Hostel

The helpful and friendly staff are all locals, and they are happy to share their immense knowledge about the town and surrounding areas. All of them speak good Tibetan, Chinese and English. Their eagerness to offer advice and suggestions makes it easy for guests to find great hiking, beautiful scenery, and delicious local Tibetan food! They go out of their way to help arrange transportation for a good price as well.

You’ll find a diverse menu that includes delicious western and local Tibetan foods, great desserts, special drinks, and even imported beer. For dinner, potato and yak meat momos, yak meat pizza, and moroccan lentil soup are all some of our favorite options. They serve breakfast starting at 8:00am. The yak yogurt with homemade granola and western-style eggs and toast are among the most popular items first thing in the morning.

Kris and Stephanie are also passionate about supporting and promoting other local businesses, as well as featuring locally made handicraft products in their hostel. If you are interested in Tibetan handicrafts, simply ask the staff for an introduction to the various items on display. In addition, Zhilam Hostel has an extensive library of books that you can borrow to read, or you can watch a movie in their cozy movie room downstairs.

Inside Zhilam Hostel

Rooms are very clean, comfortable and nice. You have the option of staying in a private room with a big bed and ensuite bathroom/shower, or staying in a clean and quaint dorm with shared bathroom facilities. Each room is designed with local Tibetan characteristics, and the beds are very comfortable.

Zhilam hostel is the perfect place if you are looking for Tibetan decor, comfortable and clean rooms for a reasonable price, fresh coffee, and delicious food.

Contact info:

Address: Bai Tuo Kan area, Kangding County 626000, China

Phone: 0836-2831100

Website: http://zhilamhostel.com

地址：白土坎村藏族自治州宗教事务局附近

电话：0836-2831100

January 16, 2017
Xiangxiong Guesthouse

Songpan ancient town is the best place to learn and explore local history and culture in the entire county town. As the Ancient Town was first built in the Ming Dynasty, the old city walls and the building architecture still maintains charm from this period. Today visitors will find many small shops, restaurants, teahouses, and guesthouses in the area, giving it a very quaint feel perfect for a casual stroll or a little shopping. You will also notice that there are three visible people groups in Songpan: Han Chinese, Muslim, and the local Tibetan people. If you are looking to stay in the midst of the beautiful old Songpan, we are happy to recommend the Tibetan owned Xiangxiong Guesthouse where you will be cared for by locals, and where your business is supporting a very hardworking entrepreneur.
Xiangxiong Guesthouse is located in the old town, which is close to the North gate. Only 2-3 minutes walk from the gate and easy to find, the location of the guesthouse is very good as it is situated on one of the quiet side streets of old Songpan.

A very capable Tibetan lady – Aheng Tso – founded the guesthouse in October of 2015. She used to run another hotel in Chuanzhusi, which is approximately 20 minutes drive from Songpan county town. This hotel did good business during the busy tour seasons. However, the hotel didn’t have any Tibetan flavor and she also had to close the hotel each year for a few months of the winter as there are not tourists during that period. So instead, she decided to build a Tibetan style guesthouse in Songpan. Her guesthouse is popular among local Tibetans, with her often receiving good feedback from her Tibetan customers that they like the Tibetan decorations and flavor. (If the locals themselves like it, you know it’s good!)

Room with two beds at Xiangxiong guesthouse

You can ask the staff if you need any information on the town. While they are not the most fluent English speakers, they will readily try understand what you are asking for and to provide the information you that might helpful to you.

Xiangxioang guesthouse is the most unique and beautiful guesthouse in the town. With all the Tibetan wooden furniture, decorations, and other aspects of the colourful culture on display, this hotel is lovely and filled with unique aspects. The hotel has three floors. The first floor is used as a lobby and has a small shop attached to it, a tea room, and a breakfast area. The hotel provides both Chinese and Tibetan style breakfast. The Chinese breakfast includes porridge, eggs, steamed bread, and a few other dishes, while the Tibetan breakfast includes tsampa (barley), butter, dried yak cheese, and yak milk. The second and third floors are guestrooms which contain a total of 36 rooms, each with a nice bathroom attached. Of these rooms, 21 are double rooms, while 15 of them are single bedrooms. All of the rooms are spacious, clean, and comfortable.

You also can enjoy at Xiangxiong guesthouse

So far, most of her costumers are Tibetans and Chinese, but she hopes more westerners will visit her hometown and enjoy staying at her beautiful Tibetan guesthouse. If you are looking for a hotel in Songpan, you needn’t look far as Xiangxiong Guesthouse was one of our highlights when staying in Songpan!

Contact Info:

Address: 2-3 minutes walk from North gate if the ancient town, Songpan county town.

Phone: 18782171308

地址：松潘县顺城北街12号象雄客栈

电话： 18782171308

September 1, 2016
JiLi Long Yangqin Tents Guesthouse

Many colourful tents are set up on the broad grasslands surrounding Hongyuan, in the Amdo Tibetan region. Here, one can see herds of yaks, sheep, and horses spread over miles of grassland spotted by the black tents of nomadic herders. In this guesthouse, you are welcome to stay as a guest with local nomads.
Colorful tent option as a rainbow shines in the background

Ciwang Danzhen is an educated nomad. He is very happy with his nomadic life, where he spends his days herding yaks, sheep, and horses, but he feels happier when he has the chance to show his nomadic life and culture to friends from all over the world. So Ciwang and his family opened the tent guesthouse on the fascinating Hongyuan grasslands in 2015. Named JiLi Long Yangqin Tents Guesthouse. Currently, there are 12 employees at the guesthouse. 5 of them are family members and the rest come from the surrounding local communities.

Hotel room option for guesthouse

As a guest, you have the option of staying in their hotel, but for those wanting a little more authentic experience, you may stay in one of their guest tents made with the traditional black yak wool. While you stay, enjoy the healthy food, because everything you eat is organic with nomads! For example, fresh milk, tsam pa (barley flour), yoghurt, yak meat, etc., might find its way to the bowl in front of you. If you are interested, you can even help the guesthouse prepare the food that you and the other guests will be served. When you are ready for a drink, the guesthouse has a very nice teahouse, where you can go to drink yak milk, black tea, and yak butter tea.

One-bed hotel options with beautiful view

You are also welcome to join and enjoy the local Tibetan entertainment, such as, traditional games, dancing, singing, horse riding, and archery. In Tibetan tradition, people hold outdoor parties, where they hold hands and dance around the campfire. Maybe you will be lucky enough and find yourself learning to dance like a nomad!

As the sun sets, take a moment to stop and stargaze. In such a vast sky, the moon and the stars seem brighter, and you might lose yourself for a quiet moment before you retire to your tent or hotel room for a good night’s sleep.

Night sky over the tent houses

Chiwang Danzhen hopes that he can bring a positive impact to his local economy, and he hopes that more and more young Tibetans can stand on their own two feet by starting their own small business.

We recommend Jili Long Yangqing Tents guesthouse if you have chance to visit the Hongyuan Tibetan area. We are confident that you will have a pleasant stay living with local Tibetan nomads and experiencing the rich culture that they have to offer.

Contact Info:

地址：红原县霞穹中街红原牦牛肉食品公司东北400米

手机: 赤旺丹增13438791502

前台：0837-2661119

Address: Xia Qiong Zhong Jie, Hongyuan County, Nearby the Hongyuan Yak Meat Food Company.

Phone: Ciwang Danzhen: 13438791502

Front desk: 0837-2661119

June 7, 2016
City Nomad Guesthouse

In the city of Xining, you will find a cozy and welcoming guesthouse called City Nomad. While you won’t be staying in the grasslands with sheep, yaks, and horses, you will experience a taste of the nomadic spirit in the midst of the city. In this sweet and comfortable guesthouse, one can experience the nomadic passion and enthusiasm for life.
This guesthouse is run by a young, educated, and knowledgeable Tibetan nomad named Tashi. He opened City Nomad guesthouse in April 2015.

While a little crowed for some foreigners, City Nomad provides a nice place to rest and sleep for groups of travelers.

Tashi started the business, first, because he wanted to support his family financially. Secondly, as a Tibetan, he felt strongly that it was his duty to introduce Tibetan culture and places to people from all over the world. Tashi believed that people would have a better understanding of perspectives from different cultural backgrounds if they had a better platform and opportunity to exchange ideas and share stories.

City Nomad has 3 Tibetan staff who are very helpful, friendly, and who want to ensure you have a pleasant stay. The two-story guesthouse is very comfortable and clean. In fact, it might just be one of the cleanest in the area, and shoes are not allowed to be worn inside. While they don’t provide food, they do offer drinks for guests to purchase.

For those looking for a nice bed, City Nomad also offers beds with more of a home feel.

Tashi himself speaks fluent English, and would be very happy to help you if you have questions related to travel in Xining or other Tibetan areas. Tashi has direct contacts with many Tibetan communities across the plateau, and sometime he can also be found leading trips to other communities. These trips bring benefit to both his guests and fellow Tibetans.

Tashi wants City Nomad to become a successful and sustainable business, providing a model that other young Tibetan entrepreneurs can learn from. He hopes that his guesthouse might become a leader in the hospitality industry in Tibetan areas, and that City Nomad may make a positive contribution to the wellbeing of the Tibetan economy.

We highly recommend city nomad guesthouse to travelers stopping in Xining. In the words of one of his clients: “Dear Tashi, Thanks for the best experience I could have asked for in Xining. You are the kindest, most gracious host I have ever had, I really enjoyed getting to know you and your friend. – Enka”.

Contact Info:

Address: 南山路建新巷陇原叠翠小区 6号楼 3单元 11 楼 3111室

Address: Room 3111, 11th floor Unit3 Building 6 Nanshan road Jiaxin street. Long yuan die cui pinnacle lane commun Xining city Qinghai Province, China.

Phone: 15897141336

June 3, 2016
Sok Bo Tibetan Hostel

On a hillside above the town of Xinduqiao, Sok Bo Tibetan Hostel is open to receiving travelers who wish to explore the Kham Tibetan Region.
Tsering Lamo (the owner) used to work for a hostel as a chef, and it was there that she learned a lot about running a business and customer service. Tsering enjoys serving and welcoming guests from all over the world.

Tsering had the dream of being an entrepreneur when she was in high school. She thought that she wouldn’t have very much time to be with her family if she worked for others, but as an entrepreneur she would have a lot of time and freedom to be with her family. As an entrepreneur, Tesring would also get to enjoy doing something that she is very passionate about and is interested in.

With such a vast amount of color in one place, it is no wonder the Tibetan culture is so beautiful.

Tsering thinks that it is very meaningful to gain a lot of different life experiences. So in March in 2015, she decided to open a hostel on her own in her hometown. Currently, there are many guest houses in her hometown, but she is the only local business owner.

If you choose to stay at Sok Bo Tibetan Hostel, you will not only enjoy the beautiful view from the rooms, but also the local Tibetan food and flavors. While there, you could try Yak meat pizza or hamburgers, if your taste buds are up for the adventure. Tsering is a very outgoing girl, and if you ask nicely, she might even teach you some of the local Tibetan style dancing if you are interested in testing your coordination! There are also a variety of handcrafted pieces Tsering could show you to buy, made by the locals, which might serve as a reminder of your trip for years to come.

Feeling adventurous? Try the yak meat pizza while staying at Sok Bo Tibetan Hostel.

Tsering has gone through some difficult moments, but she always faces them with her determination and positive attitude. Now, she has three staff and a few volunteers. Her dream of being an entrepreneur came true, but she is not satisfied with it just yet. Tsering dreams big. She wants to help poor Tibetan students with their school tuition and others who can’t afford their medical bills, through the success of her business. Tsering desires to be a good example of female entrepreneurship, and wants to encourage other women who have similar dreams as her.

Contact Info:

康定市新都桥镇藏文中学后面高尔寺佛学院下面318国道2919处.

电话：135-6867-8805

Address: Behind of Xinduqiao Tibetan Middle School or Near by National Road 318, Kangding County.

Phone: 135-6867-8805

May 30, 2016