Tibetpedia

Category: Central Tibet Businesses

Central Tibet Businesses of Excellence

Tibetan Business Highlights is part of the heartbeat of Tibetpedia. It is a platform to promote Central Tibet businesses of excellence that continue seeking to improve their services. 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 hospitality.

As this feature of Tibetpedia develops, we hope to have a broad range of services represented throughout Central Tibet: guesthouses, homestays, restaurants, guiding services, drivers, horse trekking operators, etc. If you are interested in writing a review and recommending we consider a Tibetan business that you have experienced, please write to us and tell us about the virtues of the business you would like to highlight!

  • Gesar Hotel

    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 Tibetan people and their distinct culture. Such as that found at Gesar Hotel (“Kesar” in Tibetan). Gesar Hotel was founded by a nomad – Sonam Dorje – in 2012.
    Gesar Hotel Shigatse
    The beautiful reception area at Gesar Hotel.

    Born in a very remote village, Sonam was not lucky enough to get education, but his ambition to start a business never went away.  In 1994, Sonam became a father, and this was a life change that encouraged him to take first steps towards starting his own business. He wanted his kids to get better education and he was willing to do everything to support his family. Still, it took a few years before his dreams actually took flight.

    Finally, in 2006, he founded his first construction company, and through this company he offered 200 job opportunities to his local community. Yet, Sonam was still not content continually seeing many young local people were struggling to support themselves. He wanted to help them discover and grow their skills. So he started building Gesar Hotel in 2008, and officially opened it on April 20th, 2012. Now there are 70 employees at the hotel.

    Gesar Hotel Room
    A guest room at Gesar Hotel.

    Sonam came up with the name Gesar for the hotel because he grew up listening to his grandmother tell stories about King Gesar. Gesar is a hero in a lot of Tibetan’s hearts, so Sonam decorated the hotel in the theme of Gesar. Paintings on the wall in hotel will take you back in time, as all the paintings are about his life. When looking at the walls, it is not hard to get lost in the beauty of Tibetan art and this ancient culture.

    Gesar hotel was the first hotel in Shigatse to be decorated in such a distinct Tibetan style, and guests are often amazed by the beautiful decorations and furniture found throughout. There are more then 150 rooms in the hotel, all of which are very clean and decorated with lovely, handcrafted Tibetan furniture.

    Gesar Hotel
    A hall at Gesar.

    You will also be amazed by the wonderful staff at the hotel.  At Gesar Hotel, guests are treated as friends. The staff are very helpful, humble, kind, and they always try to make you feel comfortable. The manager of the hotel speaks fluent English, and he is always happy to help you and answer all your questions.

    Sonam Dorje believes that Gesar Hotel is not only a business but also a part of the local culture. With so many employees, Sonam is having a great impact on a large part of the community. He hopes that he can help more young people with their family and future, and he also hopes that visitors will have a pleasant stay at Gesar Hotel.

    If you are travelling through Shigatse, we highly recommend Gesar Hotel as a comfortable place to stay.

     

    Contact Info:

    地址：日喀则市龙江中路

    电话：0892-8800088

    Address: Long Jiang Middle Road

    Phone:  0892-8800088

  • Tibetan Family Kitchen

    Tibetan Family Kitchen

    Tibetan Family Kitchen is becoming a landmark in Lhasa for good reason. It was founded by a young and enthusiastic Tibetan couple in 2013. Namdon and Lumbum were tour guides for many years, but unfortunately in 2012 there were far too few tour groups to make a living. With the help and encouragement of Namdom’s sister, they decided to open a home-style restaurant, as both of them are great at making local Tibetan food and have experience in working with foreign guests. Seven years later they have progressed well beyond this small beginning.

    Tibetan cooking classes
    Tibetan cooking classes offered at Tibetan Family Kitchen.

    More than a restaurant offering mouth-watering Tibetan food, the cooking classes offered here are a cultural experience every traveler must include on their trip to this ancient city. Though the one room kitchen operation they started in back in 2013 has grown into a two-story restaurant with a roof-top patio near the old town, the friendliness and hospitality of the staff still ensures every guest experiences the warmth and welcome of a “family kitchen”. They also offer cooking classes if you are interested in the local food culture and learning how to make some of the dishes yourself.

    Delicious spread of Tibetan food
    Guests enjoying themselves at the Tibetan Family Kitchen

    The unique entrance to the Tibetan Kitchen takes you straight past the open concept kitchen, before passing through to the dining area. As most kitchens are hidden in the back of restaurants, its almost as if Namdon is intentionally showing off one the cleanest kitchens in the whole city of Lhasa, and offering travelers peace of mind before they even order their food. If the weather is agreeable we highly recommend requesting a table on the roof-top which offers a special panorama view of the the city.

    Rooftop dining in Lhasa Tibet
    Rooftop dining offers panoramic views of Lhasa Tibet

    Namdon and her husband Lumbum have years of guiding experience between the two of them, having taken foreign guests to Everest and beyond for many years. They have excellent English and are a great source of travel information both in Lhasa and all areas throughout Tibet. They are eager to please and only hope in return that foreign guests will have an enjoyable and memorable experience of Tibet.

    The entrance to Tibetan Family Kitchen
    The entrance to Tibetan Family Kitchen

    Finding the entrance to the Tibetan Family Kitchen requires some careful searching. Use the address below and keep an eye out for the sign on top of the building, as well as the one on the street level. It is located on the second floor off of Dan Jie Lin Road leading to the Barkhor area. The entranceway is a small passageway up some stairs between local shops. It is well worth searching for!

    Contact Info:

    Address: 西藏拉萨市丹杰林路 6-2-5

    Phone: 13889015053

    Address: Dan Jie Lin Road 6-2-5

    Phone:  13889015053

  • Sonam International Youth Hostel

    Sonam International Youth Hostel

    Sonam International Youth Hostel was founded by a capable Tibetan lady, Nizhen, in 2008.  As a result of the train to Lhasa opening in 2006, the tourism in the area developed greatly. As Nizhen had a few years of experience in running a hostel in mainland, China, she decided to open a Tibetan style hostel in Lhasa. The hostel was one of the first three in Lhasa. The name “Sonam” means “eternal blessing” in Tibetan. Nizhen came up with the name because she hopes people will be blessed by practicing kindness and compassion whilst they visit.

    The hostel has been doing really well, and in 2013 it was chosen, as “the trusted hostel” from among 300 hotels by the local tourism bureau. There are 12 employees at the Sonam, and they are very kind and helpful to their guests.

    Sonam Hostel Entrance
    Entrance to Sonam Hostel

    The hostel is a real home away from home for weary travelers. Entering off the busy main street through a small alley, you pass through a gateway into a traditional courtyard that blocks out the sounds of the city. The courtyard is an oasis of green life with grass, trees and a wooden deck that gives everything a slight cottage feel. There are a couple picnic tables to sit at while enjoying a cold drink, complete with umbrellas to shield from the sun during the middle of the day.

    Sonam courtyard
    The Sonam Hostel has a wonderful courtyard for guests to enjoy.

    The courtyard is surrounded by guest rooms and the café. The café sits on the first floor and offers decent western-friendly food and drinks. The breakfast at Sonum is particularly worthy of a mention. The décor of the café will be appreciated by those who like the slightly traditional and rustic feel that wood brings.

    Sonam offers both dorm style rooms with shared bathing facilities, and private rooms with ensuite baths. All rooms are exceptionally clean and the staff reflects the warmth of Tibetan hospitality. There are washing machines available as well for travelers who have reached that point in their travels!

    Sonam Hostel Single Bed
    A single bed at Sonam

    Sonam hostel is located away from the madness of Lhasa’s tourist core, but close enough to walk to the Potala Palace within 15 minutes. Also, within a few minute walk of the hostel you can reach the quiet banks of the Kyichu River for a walk through the manicured gardens along its banks. It is approximately a five to seven minute taxi ride to the Barkhor area.

    If you have a chance to visit Lhasa, you will find your Tibetan home if you stay at Sonam Hostel.

     

    Contact info:

    地址：西藏拉萨市德吉南路11号

    电话： +86 (0) 891-6927969

    Address: 11 South De Ji Road, Lhasa, Tibet

    Phone: +86 (0) 891-6927969

  • Metok Karpo Restaurant

    Metok Karpo Restaurant

    Metok Karpo is a gem of a restaurant located near Barkor in central Lhasa. Though it is hidden away in a narrow alley beside the Snowlands restaurant, it is well worth the effort to track it down. The low doorway is on your right hand side if you are walking from the main street, and it is usually full of mostly local clientele due to the appeal of the authentic flavors of the nomadic cooks! Your presence will attract some friendly smiles so be sure to smile in return!

    Metok Karpo Entrance
    The entrance to Metok Karpo Restaurant.

    The restaurant was founded by young Tibetan nomadic lady Thupten Choemo in 2008.  She is a single mother with a daughter. While sending kids to school in Lhasa is free, there are some expenses for her daughter because they are from nomadic area. Choemo wants her daughter to get a good education.  She has never run a business before in her life, but she is very interested in making Tibetan food. Her religion teaches her that everything one does should be done with one’s best effort, and so this spills over into not just her life, but her food as well. Therefore, Choemo believes that to make good food, you must put your heart and soul into every aspect of the preparation.

    Once you step inside you encounter a very funky atmosphere reminiscent of a Spanish grotto. The small interior immediately gives it a family kitchen feel complimented by the warm smiles of Choemo. An English menu is offered for the convenience of foreign travelers, and everything on the menu is always fresh. As the hosts do not speak English (or Chinese for that matter), simply point at the menu items that appeal to your appetite!

    Metok Karpo Interior
    Inside the Metok Karpo Restaurant

    The menu is not extensive, but is diverse and represents the favorites of the local population. The Lhasa sweet tea brings welcome refreshment after a morning of visiting the sites around Lhasa. Cold beer is also on hand if that is your preferred refreshment. If you enjoy meat, the dishes with yak meat are extremely delicious, but for those who prefer vegetarian, the menu caters to this as well. For dessert there is usually fresh yoghurt available, and it often fits as a perfect way to finish your meal.

    In the future, Choemo wants to expand her restaurant, and we wish her all the best as she makes her dream come true. If you find yourself traveling in Lhasa, we recommend you pay a visit to the lovely nomadic lady Choemo for a hearty meal.

    Contact Info:

    地址：丹杰林路 6-1-14.

    电话： 08916326933

    Address: Danjieling road No 6-1-14 (Five minutes walking distance to Jokhang temple in Barkor)

    Phone: 08916326933

  • Po Ba Tsang Restaurant

    Po Ba Tsang Restaurant

    Located in Lhasa, the Po Ba Tsang Restaurant is serving guests more than just food, and they are proving that being at the roof of the world is a rewarding, yet challenging task. Guests to Lhasa are continually amazed by the local historical and cultural sites, and they are often touched by the local peoples’ devotion to their religion, and hospitality for their visitors.

    Unfortunately though, due to political issues, homestays are not allowed to operate in Lhasa, but if they were, travelers would undoubtedly enjoy this option. Instead, those looking for a fabulous experience of Tibetan traditional food, performance, and hospitality should stop by Po Ba Tsang Restaurant in order to experience the spirit of local Tibet. A cozy and welcoming restaurant, Po Ba Tsang was a deliberately chosen name, as “Po Ba” means Tibetan, and “Tsang” means home & family. Travelers are always welcome to visit Po Ba Tsang if they have a chance to visit the holy city of Lhasa.

    Po Ba Tsang Performers.
    Performers at Po Ba Tsang Restaurant.

    The restaurant was founded in 2009 by a young, talented, and well-educated local Tibetan man named Chemey. Chemey used to work as an emcee, chef, and teacher, and even today he stills teaches, just not as much as he once did. Now he focuses on his restaurant business, and is very passionate about showing people traditional food, and classical song and dance performances. Po Ba Tsang has around 30 employees, with this including his artists and performers.

    Every night the restaurant performs time-honored songs and dances with traditional dress and instruments. The soft and peaceful music will bring you back to a time in history when there was no hustle and bustle of today’s modern day city to be heard.  Rather, the listener can easily imagine themselves in the midst of a grassland surrounded by nomadic herders, and many come to wonder if the Tibetan love of singing comes from living so close to the roof of the world. With the performers voices seemingly as high as Mt. Everest, and as pure as the land they spring from, dinners in the evening linger just a little longer than they should.

    Tibetan Hotpot
    Traditional Tibetan Hotpot is served at Po Ba Tsang Restaurant

    Patrons of Po Ba Tsang don’t only come for the song and dance, but because the restaurant specializes in Tibetan Hotpot. With dinner and a show, guests often sample the flavors of locally made Tibetan beer and wine.

    In the past fear years, Chemey has faced challenges, but he has also gained valuable experience about the restaurant business.  He has trained many staff, and he hopes that Po Ba Tsang continues to show and preserve the local performing arts, all while providing healthy, delicious, and authentic local food to his guests.

    Contact Info:

    地址： 北京东路错美林路口向丹杰林100米右手二楼（光明港琼甜茶馆对面）

    订做电话0891-6899000

    Address: Dan Jie lin Road (  Right In Front of Guangming Gangqiong Tian Cha House).

    Phone: 0891-6899000