Tag: Shangri-la

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 wooden frames and large windows hang like rare paintings in an art gallery. The warmly lit world within pulls passersby in through its open doors. The inside is simple and artsy. The Kailash’s atmosphere is set with intricate lighting, elegant artwork, and pleasant Tibetan music.

The Creator and His Food

Samten, the owner of the restaurant, started his business in May of 2008. With the help of his family, who each take on different roles in the business, the Kailash has blossomed into a restaurant of renowned fame. The family farm, eighty kilometers away from the city, sources the fresh livestock and vegetables used in their dishes. Though Tibetan flavors dominate their offerings, the menu is also infused with Indian elements as the family spent a decade in that country. Samten works hard to please the palate of his customers without losing the intensity of the original flavors.

Local Tibetan Hotpot at the Kailash Restaurant & Bar

The Famous Yak Hotpot

The Kailash is known for its large clay pot yak hotpot. The yak meat is tender to the point of falling out of the bovine meat category and qualifying as a type of fish. The soup base magically transforms anything it touches into more of that thing. The radish becomes more of a radish. Potatoes come out more like potatoes. The soup incorporates their distinct notes, and the flavors keep compounding!

Although the restaurant is already known for its innovative dishes, Samten is constantly trying to update their menu to keep creating and offering new local flavors for visitors to Shangrila. The Kailash Restaurant & Bar is a prime destination for tourists looking for savory food to please their taste buds (and fill their tummies!).

People enjoy local Tibetan food at Kailash Restaurant &Bar

Kailash Restaurant is a perfect place to enjoy Local Tibetan food: Yak Hotpot, Yak meat momos and Yogurt.

Contact Info:

Address: Beimen Road Yi Mulang 19-B1, Shangri-la Old Town, Diqing, Yunnan Province

Phone:139 8879 8788

地址：云南香格里拉建塘镇独克宗古城北门街依若木廊19-B1号（香巴拉老街）

April 19, 2019
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 stories about the tea road, its folk tales, and ancient songs. Stories that had such a strong impact on young Kelsang, that he was aware of the richness of his Tibetan cultural heritage even as a young child. Kelsang has always embraced the Tibetan ideals of benefiting other sentient beings as a core principle of his behavior: he dreamed of becoming a Buddhist monk when he was a young child.
Dormitory room at Desti Youth Park Hostel

When Kelsang graduated from school, his parents passed down his family’s old house to him. Most of his relatives and friends suggested that Kelsang should tear down the old house and build a new house, as all the other households in the village have built new houses. He was reluctant to demolish his family’s old house, because his great-grandpa built the house and he had spent his childhood growing up in the old house. Not only was the house the place where he spent his childhood, but it also shows an important part of his family history. When looking at the house, one can see the house shows the aptitude and hard-work that went into building it. Kelsang thinks that young Tibetan generations have to remember the spirit of their ancestors. As a result, Keslang decided to use the house as a hostel where he can receive people from all over the world and show them local Tibetan culture, architecture, and lifestyle.

Beautiful night at Desti Youth Park Hostel

In a peaceful Tibetan village in Shangri-La, visitors will find a breathtaking hostel. The Desti Youth Park hostel is situated in Chengni Village, near Shangri-La International Airport. It is enclosed by bright flowers and seemingly endless grassland. Visitors who go to Chengni will find themselves temporarily transported away from the real world, into the colorful fairy tale kingdom that is the village. In this mysterious fantasyland and spectacular landscape, you can choose from amongst an assortment of activities that should appeal to a variety of interests. Watch a movie, barbeque a meal, join a campfire party with local Tibetan dancing, cycle around the village, or take a Thangka painting class.

Room with single bed at Desti Youth Park Hostel

When staying at the hostel, you also have the option of choosing a room according to your travel budget. The hostel has family or single rooms with private hot showers and internet, or dormitory rooms with public showers. All the staff speaks English well, and the food is delicious. They also provide a van if you want to visit Shangri-La Old Town or some of the other local places.

We would highly recommend Desti Youth Park Hostel if you are looking for a peaceful and authentic place to stay in Shangri-La.

Contact Info: No.54 Chengni, Shini Village, Jiantang Town, Shangri-La County 674400, China

Phone: 0887-8065355. 13038608855

地址：香格里拉市建塘镇尼史村妄尼组54号

电话： 0887-8065355. 13038608855

November 29, 2016
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, and they have done so in very good taste and with a desire for authentic style. The fireplace is a great place to hang out at night to relax, or to catch up over a meal. The owner of the hotel, Tashi, speaks excellent English and he is a very helpful guy. He is always happy to help his costumers with travel information and the best ways to discover the local food. Bodhi Inn also provides free pick up from bus station and airport, just be sure to let them know you arrival details ahead of time.
The gate of Bodhi Inn

Tashi is a Tibetan guy who was born in Nepal, but visiting Shangri-La was one of his biggest whishes. Fortunately, his wish came true in 2005. Tashi fell in love with this amazing place from the day he arrived, so he decided to work there as a guide. Tashi has received so many guests-turned-friends, from all over the world. They love Shangri-La and some of them even come back almost every year. That inspired Tashi to build a home for visitors and himself. He opened the hotel in April of 2014. Ever the entrepreneur, Tashi now also runs a coffee shop and handicraft shops. In total, Tashi has 11 staff work for him who speaks English well, and they are very friendly and welcoming to guests and shoppers alike.

Inside Bodhi Inn

The rooms at the Boddhi Inn are clean and charming, have free wifi, are well equipped with electric blankets, new A/C, and have a modern bathroom with a nice shower. As a guest, you’ll be offered a tasty cup of ginger tea on arrival, which is freely available 24 hours per day. You have three options for breakfast in the morning: American, European, or Tibetan. True to your travel experience, we would highly recommend trying the Tibetan breakfast at least once with a cup of Yak butter tea.

Family style room in Bodh Inn

If you’re visiting Shangri-La Old Town, consider Bodhi Inn if you’re looking for a pleasant and comfortable place to stay.

Contact Info:

Adress: No.14 Yiruo Mulang, Beimen Street, Dukezong Old Town, Shangri-La County 674400, China.

Phone: 0887-8226566 13988745770

地址：云南省迪庆藏族自治州香格里拉市独克宗古城北门街依诺木廊14号

联系电话：0887-8226566 13988745770

November 29, 2016