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 years, both had dreamt of starting their own business that would allow them to influence, serve, and build relationships with travelers as well as their local community.
Momos At Akhustonpa Tibetan Restaurant
After graduating in 2006 from university with a degree in business, Nyima worked with a travel company for several years before finally opening Akhustonpa in 2015. Together, they employ one local cook who works directly with Yang Zi Feng to make traditional Tibetan dishes. Driven by his experiences in America and a desire to benefit the local community, Nyima uses organic foods which he purchases from local farmers. Akhustonpa is one of the few restaurants that offers Tibetan hot pot. They prefer to make it with a wood burning stove rather than the more conventional gas stoves. This may not necessarily add much to the flavor, but it certainly is in good taste!
Local Hotpot at Akhustonpa Tibetan Restauant
The design and architecture of the restaurant is in a traditional Tibetan style. The walls, roof, and furniture are made with beautifully crafted hand-carved wood. The natura motif that Nyima and Yang Zi Feng have used has become a defining characteristic of their brand. Customers are guaranteed to have a multi-sensory, authentic Tibetan experience.
Inside Akhustonpa Tibetan Restaurant
Mobile: 13988724351 / 13988755826
Address: Cang Fang Street Shambala Old Town Next to Dong Lang Parking Lot
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 outside. Because Gongkar Dzong Castle Lodge is built on top of a small hill, you can get the whole view of the entire valley from the Lodge. It’s an ideal place to take photos. Directly behind the Lodge, there is a small mountain that you can hike up to get an even higher perspective.
Beautiful and Peaceful Morning in Gongkar Dzong Castle Lodge
Friendly Staff
The decoration of the room is cozy and simple: wooden bed, wardrobe, and tables. One client claimed that the bed was the most comfortable in all of Kham Tibet. All of the staff are local and speak some English if you have any simple inquiries. If your question is more complex, find Norbu. He is one of the owners and speaks fluent English from his years in India. Norbu is very knowledgeable and humorous. In the evening, they invite their guests to join in a traditional Tibetan dance. Their restaurant is easily the best in all of Xinduqiao. They have a wide offering of local Tibetan, Chinese, and Western dishes.
A Tibetan Hourse in Gongkar Dzong Castle Lodge
A Dream Come True
GongKar Dzong Castle Lodge is planning to build a meditation and Yoga center for visitors to mediate and practice Yoga in the future. The founders’ original dream was to provide their guests with a true Tibetan experience by giving them a peaceful, comfortable, and joyful time in a luxurious Tibetan home. They have done that and more. In fact, they have exceeded everyone’s expectations, including their own. We highly recommended the Gongkar Dzong Castle Lodge even if you have to make a special trip to Xinduqiao just to experience it.
Comfortable Bed in Gongkar Dzong Castle Lodge
Contact Info:
地址：四川省甘孜藏族自治州康定市 新都桥镇新二村让噶岗 ，近318国道
Address: Xingduqiao Town, Nearby the National Road 318, Kangding City, Ganzi Prefecture, Shichuan Province.
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 returned to Yunnan and worked as a chef at two different hotels. All the while, he kept honing his skills. In 2015, he and two of his friends decided to open Three Brothers Café. The name comes from these three close friends who want to share their passion for Indian culture and food. Their strong work ethic and excellent food have made it one of the most popular restaurants in town.
The Gate of Three Brother’s Café
More Than Great Food
As you enter the restaurant, you are greeted with warm hospitality and a delicious cup of tea. From a comfortable seat at your thick wooden table on a balcony that overlooks the heart of the old town, you tap your foot to the beat of the evening Tibetan dancing below you. Three Brother’s Cafe does more than food. It creates an authentic cross-cultural experience.
Mind-blowing Deliciousness
The menu offers a wide variety of options, ranging from specialty bread to Indian-spiced steak. Two must-tries are the eggplant and sweet and sour pork. Your mind will be blown. However, be careful that you don’t offer your firstborn to a lifetime of volunteer dishwashing in exchange for your regular fix, because the best is yet to come. Their myriad curries stand out like champions among all of the competition—like Meili Snow Mountain stands out among her jealous sisters.
Inside Three Brother’s Café
A Home-Away-From-Home Feel
If you fear the embarrassment of not knowing the local languages, run as fast as you can to the Three Brother’s Café. The owner’s wife speaks good English and is always around, like a homestead Mama sweeping the porch and waiting for your return. Here is every traveler’s home-away-from-home…and their “home-cooked” meals will melt your heart as they tickle your bellies.
Address: Yi Ruo Mu Lang Old Town Shangri-la County
