Category: Tibetan Business Highlights

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

Zhuan Jing Bridge Hostel

“Xisuo Local Residence” is a small Rgyal rong Tibetan village located in a Zhuokeji in Maerkang. The village was built in the middle of the Qing dynasty, and even today maintains the architecture of these early settlers. On the outside the village houses are made of stone, making it look like an ancient castle town set on the hill. There are approximately 72 local Tibetan families, and they rely primarily on farming. The village is one of several villages that was ruled by the Zhuokeji Chieftain, and the village is only a five-minute walk to the Zhuokeji Tsui Official Manor. This is a gorgeous place to explore and learn local history, culture, and architecture. Located in this village, travelers can find a welcoming and cozy local hostel called ” Zhuan Jing Bridge Hostel “.
While almost every family in the village receives visitors today, Luyekang (a local farmer), was the first person to open a hostel in the village. Together, Luyekang and his wife have been running the Zhuan Jing Bridge Hostel since 2002. Both of them are about 70 years old, and they are very friendly, kind, and they treat their guests as their family members. While neither of them speak English, they use their sign language to communicate with their guests, which means there is always a warm smile to be had. Their hostel was the first place in the village that had permission to receive foreign guests. Most of their foreign guests are introduced by the local tourism bureau because they provide such good services. If you stay here, you will quickly understand why the government favors them with business.

Entrance to Zhuan Jing Bridge Hostel

Zhuan Jing Bridge Hostel is very easy to find. The hostel is the first house across the prayer wheel bridge, on the right corner of the alley. A Tibetan grandpa and grandma will welcome you and be ready to take you to your room.

The hostel has three floors. The first floor is the kitchen, the second floor is for both family and guests, and the third floor is more guestrooms. There are about 24 rooms in total, and the hostel is very clean and nicely decorated. Most of the house is made of wooden walls and furniture, and the mural in the second floor lounge definitely deserves a second look! The hostel has two shower rooms on the third floor, and hot water and internet are available. While they don’t offer food in the hostel, you can easily find a place to eat in the village. (However, if you visit the hostel in the fall, you can buy fresh walnuts from your hosts!)

Inside of the Zhuan Jing Bridge Hostel

The local Buddhist temple is next to Zhuan Jing Hostel, so if you want to visit the temple or walk a kora, this is very convenient. It is also fascinating to walk around the village to take photos and enjoy Rgyal rong architecture.

If you are exploring the area, we highly recommend you stay with this lovely older couple at the hostel just across the prayer wheel bridge.

Contact Info:

Address: Right side of the Prayer Bridge, Xisuo Tibetan village, Zhuokeji Township.

Phone: 0837-2829162

地址：马尔康卓克基乡西索居民转经桥右边第一家。

电话：0837-2829162

September 1, 2016
Wrangler Hotel

In Ruoergai County Town, you will find the Wrangler Hotel. As a local nomadic family runs the hotel, the managers – Dorjie and Gengden – are both family. Both brothers are friendly people who are very passionate about social entrepreneurship. They have been helping a lot of local people make their livelihood as they currently have more than 30 employees. Previously, Duojie was fortunate to receive a little bit of training on ecotourism and social entrepreneurship in United States. The training helped him to reshape business in such a way that he provides jobs and training to his staff to raise the quality of Wrangler Hotel in a responsible and sustainable way.
The hotel was opened in April 2015. The family built the hotel because tourism is developing very fast in Ruoergai, and both domestic and international tourists visit the beautiful grasslands to get a glimpse into nomadic life. As a result of this surge in tourism, the hotel wants to provide a nice and comfortable place for visitors to stay. There are single rooms and double rooms each with nice bathrooms attached and complete with wonderful showers and western toilets. The rooms are very clean and the beds are very comfortable, with each of the rooms having their own wifi.

Inside of Wrangler Hotel

You will find a cozy teahouse located on both the 4^th and 5^th floors of the hotel. The 4^th floor teahouse is classical in style and it has a mix of decorations common to both Chinese and Tibetan style teahouses. If you have never gone to tea ceremony, it’s worthwhile to take the time to visit while you are here. The tea table is very nice and you have the option of either making your own tea, or for the authentic experience, the waiters will make it for you if you wish. There are different kinds of Chinese tea available, and while you sip some oolong or green tea, the soft background music is designed to calm and relax you. If you are looking for something a little stronger instead, wines and beer are also available at this teahouse.

The second teahouse on the 5^th floor is decorated as a garden style teahouse. There are many plants, and the height gives you a nice view of Ruoergai town. If you are a little more budget conscious, the tea on this floor is a slightly cheaper than the 4^th floor teahouse, although the selection is not quite as wide. If you get hungry, either tea house provides a range of Chinese dishes for you to choose from.

Wrangler Hotel’s Tea House

If you find yourself visiting Ruoergai County Town in the Aba Prefecture, mosey on over to the Wrangler Hotel for a little shut eye or to enjoy a nice cup of tea.

Contact Info:

Address: Chunxi Road, Ruoergai Town, Aba Prefecture.

Phone: 0837-8966789

地址：四川阿坝若尔盖春熙路

电话： 0837-8966789

September 1, 2016
Black Tent Restaurant

While it’s easy to find a restaurant where you can have authentic Tibetan food, it is hard to find a restaurant in Hong Yuan town, in the Amdo Tibetan Region, where you can experience the local Tibetan style. However, at the Black Tent Restaurant, guests experience both. Run by a young local Tibetan nomad Gasang Gun who only has primary school education, the restaurant stands as a testament to his hard work and dedication to his culture. The restaurant was found in 2007, and it was one of the earliest Tibetan restaurants in the town. As yak meat, butter, cheese, milk, and yogurt are some of the main foods for nomads, Gasang Gun decided to bring a little nomad life to the town.
There are a few restaurants in the town, but on observation Black Tent Restaurant is the most popular among the local people. While many tourists visit Hong Yuan, most are not lucky enough to know about the place. Instead, most of Black Tent’s customers are local nomads who know what the real authentic food tastes like. If you visit the restaurant, it’s not uncommon to see entire Tibetan families – from the grandparents to the toddlers – stopping by for a meal.

Momos at the black tent restaurant

Hong Yuan is known for their yak dairy products, so if you are looking for Tibetan yak meat and yogurt, Black Tent restaurant is one of the best places! While here, we tried their momos, rice with yak meat, yogurt, and yak milk tea, and Gasang Gun’s cooking does not disappoint!

Gasang Gun was able to expand his restaurant in the past few years with his hard work, and passion for food and culture. He opened two more restaurants in both Hong Yuan town and Aba town, and currently employs 13 Tibetan staff between his 3 restaurants. He is the main chef and manager for the Black Tent Restaurant in Hong Yuan, with his other chefs being trained by him. Gasang Gun said that it usually takes a few months to train each of his chefs properly, but he is very happy to take the time to do it for the quality of the food, and the education of his staff. In the future, Gasang Gun wants to open more restaurants in some of the other Tibetan towns to let more people experience the flavors of nomad food.

The road to the black tent restaurant

Contact Info:

Address: East Road of Jiangxi, Honyuan County town.

Phone: 0837-2661055

地址：红原县绛熙东街13号（民政局附近）

电话：0837-2661055

September 1, 2016
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
Aba Zang Feng Hotel

In Aba, you will find the Aba Zang Feng Hotel where travelers go to experience a little bit of the local Tibetan hospitality and kindness. You will also find that the hotel is one of the most comfortable and cleanest in town. A local Tibetan couple Nima and his wife Norbu Tso run the hotel, and they welcome guests from all over the world as they have the legal permission to accommodate both domestic and international visitors. Opened in 2015, this was the first locally-owned Tibetan home-style hotel in the town of Aba.
Both Nima and Norbu Tso are teachers at the local Tibetan middle school. Their polite and warm service will make your journey easier and more enjoyable. They are always happy to help you out if you want them to assist you with anything. For example, they will help you if you need to rent a car to drive around the town or visit any of the scenery in Aba. Nima has a small car, so he may even offer to drive you himself if he is not busy. As locals in the area, they have a host of information up their sleeve which they will willingly provide to you as you need it.

The Aba Zang Feng Hotel has single, double, and triple rooms, and one “family style” room to accommodate their guests. The Family Style room is a big space with a comfortable sofa/lounge area, bathroom, and a private kitchen, making this perfect if you are traveling with your family or friends and want a little more space. Internet is available at the hotel, along with plenty of hot water, so your stay at their hotel should be relatively refreshing.

Aba Zang Feng Hotel’s family style room.

The entire hotel has Tibetan decorations, although the architecture is not quite in the Tibetan style. The top floor of the hotel gives a great view of the entire town, allowing guests to appreciate their surroundings. If you ask for it, the couple is happy to provide you with local milk tea or green tea. The stairs leading to each floor open onto a hallway landing complete with a quaint set of table and chairs perfect for enjoying your tea, or waiting for a friend. The hotel location is also conveniently located near the supermarket, antique market, and the Kirti Monastery.

None of the hotels in Aba town are fully Tibetan in style, so Nima and Norbu Tso are planning to build another hotel in Aba that will be designed and decorated in the traditional Tibetan architecture. As teachers, both of them are very passionate about education, so they also hope to support poor students with their school fees in the future. We hope to see Nima and Norbu Tso continue to fulfill their dreams as they are a very sweet and hardworking couple.

The hall of the hotel is a very nice place to enjoy local tea.

We strongly believe that by staying at the Aba Zang Feng Hotel you will have a culturally rewarding and pleasant stay. When we visited here, the couple continued to go above and beyond our expectations, continually offering us services we didn’t even know we wanted, but really ended up thankful for! We walked in their front door as complete strangers, and after the couple of days we spent at their hotel, we left feeling as if we had just made a friends with their family.

Contact Info:

Address: 40 meters on the right side of Aba Township Government Building, Aba Town.

Phone: 13568799927

地址：阿坝镇政府新办公大楼旁

联系电话：13568799927

August 24, 2016
Hua Hai Hotel

Hong Yuan is a very good place for travelers to explore the Tibetan nomadic life. When staying in the area there are a few tent hotels available but this option often means a private shower is not possible. However, if you are looking for a nice and comfortable bed with a private shower and pretty good internet, we are happy to recommend you Hua Hai hotel. The hotel itself is about what you would expect in your average hotel, but we appreciate the young entrepreneurial spirit of the ownership.
The hotel is located just off of Hong Yuan’s main road, meaning it is not one of the most visible places to stay in town. Still, it is a wonderfully quiet street, and conveniently located close to the grasslands. We also like that the price is reasonable for guests, and with 24 double rooms in the hotel, there should be plenty of space for you and your traveling companions. If you are traveling with a vehicle or bike, guests are also able to park these inside the hotel’s gates each night for a little added security.

Inside of the Hua Hai Hotel

Founded in May of 2016 by a young local Tibetan guy named Lengzhou, Hua Hai Hotel is his first crack at the entrepreneurial can. Lengzhou has been volunteering for an organization since he graduated from college where he is mainly in charge of sponsoring local low-income students and taking care of vulnerable seniors. Lengzhou enjoyed his work but at the same time he was hungry to become an entrepreneur. He opened the hotel with his family’s support, and while currently there are only 2 employees now, he is hoping to hire more local staff in the future.

Lengzhou also said that he would like to build another hotel with Tibetan style and decoration after he has gained some experience running and managing the Hua Hai Hotel. We wish him success in his entrepreneurship journey that he may help more local people and the travelers who find their way in his front door!

Front desk of Hua Hai Hotel

Contact Info:

Address: East of Gangre street of Qiongxi town, Hongyuan county town.

Phone: 18227711633

地址：四川省红原县邛溪镇岗热街东侧

电话： 18227711633

August 19, 2016
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 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.

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 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

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

June 23, 2016
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.

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.

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!

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

June 23, 2016
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!
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!

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

June 22, 2016
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.

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.

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

June 22, 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
Jiachu’s Homestay

In the shadow of the famous Konka Mountain, lies the Yulongxi Village. It is in this majestic setting that one can find Jiachu’s Homestay. The owner, Jiachu, has spent his entire life in the Kham Tibetan Region, making him a local expert.
It all started one day when Jiachu was asked to drive to his hometown by a few Chinese tourists, so he invited them to stay with his family and provided them with a sample of the local food. This small opportunity stirred up Jiachu’s idea of opening a homestay for tourists. As Jiachu shared this idea with these tourists, they expressed their support for it, and later, in 2004 they began recommending their friends to his homestay. Jiachu has been running the homestay with his family for more than 10 years now. He was the first person to open a homestay in the whole valley.

From one person to small amounts of travelers, Jiachu offers the accommodations of a Tibetan family.

In the beginning Jiachu had just a few beds on his floor for tourists, but now there are 5 different rooms for guests to choose from. Jiachu has also since built a public shower room and nice toilet for his guests. Now, Jiachu is planning to expand his homestay by building guest rooms with their own private bathrooms.

Get the feel for a Tibetan house, full of colorful walls and carpet.

Jiachu is very passionate about showing his hometown to friends from all over the world. He welcomes people to stay with his family at his cozy and comfortable home, and he is happy to share local food with people, especially his favorite dishes. It is always nice being with local Tibetans to experience their authentic culture. He also provides trekking trips, and he supports his neighbors and friends by hiring them and their horses for the journeys.

As more tourists visit his hometown, environmental protection has begun to get his attention. Jiachu has started working with a few organizations to educate local people about protecting the beautiful landscape that they call home. Jiachu has gained a lot of experience and benefits by running his homestay business, so he shared his experience with other people in the valley. Since starting his homestay, there are now 6 homestays in the valley as others have followed his lead.

Whether you wish to trek Konka Mountain, or simply want to wake up to a stunning view, Jiachu’s Homestay could be the quiet resting place you are looking for.

Contact Info:

地址：四川省甘孜州康定县贡嘎山乡玉龙西村。

电话：13778391377.

Address: Yulongxi Village, Gongga Township, Kangding County, Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan Provine.

Phone: 13778391377

May 31, 2016
Tashi’s Homestay

Tashi’s Homestay is in the Pengbuxi village, of the Minya area in the Kham region. From the deck off of your room, you can relax with the beverage of your choice and enjoy the view of surrounding mountains and valleys. Peaceful is the word that pops to mind. Wandering the streets of this village you know you have gotten off of the beaten track, and are witnessing the normal, daily life of the locals.
Tashi himself is a local farmer and a very outgoing man. He is the father of two kids, and proud grandfather of two granddaughters. His entire family is involved in farming.

In Pengbuxi, farming is a way of life. The local people in Tashi’s area predominantly grow barley, as this is one of the main foods in Tibet. Tashi’s family’s income comes in part from picking caterpillar fungus. While he used to rely heavily on selling the fungus, there are only 3 months of the year when the fungus can be harvested, so it doesn’t make for a very steady income throughout the year. As a result, the family often turned to other things to make money during the remainder of the year.

One such venture that Tashi undertook was to buying a vehicle. He bought a car because his village is in the valley that goes to Minya Konka Mountain, attracting a lot of tourists. As a result, Tashi’s main clientele were tourists. After driving tourists around for a while, he found that there was also a demand for tourist to experience local Tibetan culture through a homestay, so Tashi began receiving and welcoming tourists to his home.

Some of the accommodations provided by Tashi and his family

Tashi has been running the homestay for a few years now, and he has been receiving positive and encouraging feedback from his guests. Previously, the homestay was very basic, but he has since built a new house and bathroom two years ago. Now clients have access to hot showers and a western toilet.

Mountains surround the Pengbuxi village, so while you visit, you can go hiking and enjoy the beautiful landscape that the Minya area has to offer. If you want to try your hand, you can offer to help Tashi and his family in their daily farming activities. While you stay, sample some of the local flavors that Tibetan food has to offer.

Come and hang out with Tashi’s family and learn more about the Tibetan culture

So far, Tashi’s homestay is the only homestay in the whole valley, but villagers are being influenced by him, with some even hoping that they too can open their own homestay and start small business. Tashi hopes that more and more people can continue to visit his hometown and stay with his family.

If you are looking for an authentic Tibetan homestay experience and find yourself in the Minya area, consider Tashi’s Homestay as a place to rest your wandering feet.

Contact Info:

地址：康定县朋布西乡朵让村

电话：159-8374-3209

Address: Duorang Village, Pengbu Township, Kangding County, Ganzi Prefecture.

Phone: 159-8374-3209

May 31, 2016
Tenpa’s Homestay

In the quiet little Tibetan village of Duorang, travellers can find Tenpa’s Homestay. The namesake – Tenpa – is from the Kham Minya area. Tenpa studied English for few years, so he speaks fluent English, Chinese, and Tibetan. He has been working as a guide and driver in the Kham Tibetan region for more than 7 years, and his experience shows. Unlike others in the area, Tenpa and his wife do not have farmland, so their income comes not from farming, but curious travellers. Tenpa is a very outgoing, humorous, and positive person, meaning those who travel with him have a lot of fun.
Tenpa’s village is on the way to the mountain of Minya Konka. A new road was built through his hometown two years ago, allowing more and more tourist to come to Tenpa’s hometown to visit the mountain.

Come, stay and relax in the common area.

Tenpa wants tourists to experience the culture and customs of Tibet. In 2015, Tenpa opened a homestay with his wife – Tenzin Zhuoga. Together, Tenpa and his wife run the homestay for their guests. There are about 20 beds in the homestay, all of which are very clean and comfortable. There is also a big living room in the home. With a fireplace in the middle of the room, travellers can come and sit by a fire with Tenpa’s family and cozily sip some yak butter tea, a must have while anywhere in Tibet.

Learn more about the Tibetan culture by chatting with the family.

If you are planning a trip to Minya Konka, or find yourself wandering through the Kham Minya area, consider paying a visit to Tenpa and his family at their homestay.

Contact Info:

地址：康定县朋布西乡朵让村

电话：15983739877

Address: Duorang Village, Pengbu Township, Kangding County, Ganzi Prefecture.

Phone: 1598373 9877

May 31, 2016
Dolma La Restaurant

Stepping inside the Dolma La Tibetan restaurant, one is immediately taken by the richly coloured wooden walls and furniture. I spied the stairs leading up to the second floor dining area and couldn’t resist climbing them to discover what lay above me. Upstairs the natural light filters in through the wooden window frames to illuminate the Tibetan artwork which adorns the walls. While here, I sampled the Amdo Noodle with Yak Meat, and thoroughly enjoyed it to the last morsel.
Inside, one can see the comfortable setting offered by the Tibetan restaurant

The Dolma La was founded in 2015 and is run by two young and energetic Tibetan men who like taking risks and tackling challenges head on. Wongxur and Renqing both come from nomadic tribes in North East Tibet, so they decided to introduce the nomadic food to the big city. They wanted to provide the people of Chengdu with healthy and organic Tibetan food at reasonable prices, so Dolma La was born.

On the first floor you will find the bathroom, front desk, kitchen, and about half of the tables accompanied by quaint wooden chairs. However, if you climb the steep staircase to the second floor you will find the other half of the dining area is fit with couches perfect for a relaxing over a lazy meal. There are also two private rooms on the second floor if you happen to have a larger group.

Delicious Tibetan Food

This is a cozy restaurant with a small, friendly set of staff. One of the staff in particular speaks fluent English, so the Dolma La has offered their space to be used every Tuesday night as an English corner. This gives the locals of Chengdu the opportunity to sit with ex-pats, and other English speakers who wish to volunteer their time, to practice their language skills, and no doubt, to exchange a little culture as well.

If you are out exploring Chengdu in the evening, every night at around 10:00pm Dolma La has live performances of traditional Tibetan music. Guests often use this time as a chance to sample the flavors of Tibetan wine and beer as they enjoy music steeped in a deep cultural history.

Contact Info:

地址：成都市高升桥东路北站罗马假日广场B2-305.

电话： 028-85108297

Address: Rome Holiday Square. Gaosheng Bridge, East Road. North Station. B2-305.

Phone: 028-85108297

May 31, 2016
Zhongde Tan Cafe

Zhongde is located in town of Ruoergai, Aba prefecture, of the Sichuan province. For the past year, two Tibetan university graduates have been running their unique coffee bookshop here – Zhongde.
Yangtan and Pabazu are are full of passion, pride, and love for their culture. These brave grads decided to stand on their own feet instead of working for others. both went to a university, yet they dreamed of being entrepreneurs. They dreamed of introducing and preserving their culture and Tibetan heritage. Now, they are making their dreams a reality.
Lecture taking place in the cafe. Come enjoy learning and educating yourself with the locals and fellow travellers.

There are 4 employees in the coffee bookshop so far. The company is very unique in Ruoergai because it is the first coffee shop that provides books, Tibetan food, coffee, and opportunities to study and receive training, all in one spot.
If you visit Zhongde, you can enjoy coffee, local milk tea, and books – a book lovers favorite thing! You also can join workshops and training to exchange ideas and share you own stories with others. Discussions in this bookstore range from cultural preservation to environmental protection. The hope for Zhongde is that people can learn different skills and ideas through their platform. They want more and more local people to join them, and to learn and share with one another. Isn’t that the fastest way for knowledge to spread?

With such a relaxing setting, you will forget the outside world.

They invite friends from all over the world to enjoy food and coffee with them. They will be happy to serve you, and encourage guests to come, to share, and to continue learning with them. They hope that they can be model entrepreneurs for local people and encourage young Tibetans to start their own small businesses too!

Contact Info:

地址：若尔盖文明市场.

电话： 18894562777

Address: Wenming Market, Ruoergai County Town.

Phone: 18894562777

May 31, 2016
Bala Clothing Store

Wandering into Bala Clothing Store, one will find exquisite garments in traditional Tibetan style designed by Deqing who is from a small village in the Kham Minya Region. She received her bachelor’s degree at Northwest University for Nationalities where she majored in English. After she graduated from college, Deqing worked in a NGO where she was in charge of program sponsorship. Through this NGO, Deqing helped many students with their tuition, ensuring students could go on to further their education. Later on, she started her first small business.
Deqing opened a bar in the town of Kangding with her husband. It wasn’t all smooth sailing for their business though, as they faced several challenges over time. Deqing’s business went through periods where it had its ups and downs, to the point where money was in short supply. While Deqing’s bar is no longer in operation, she didn’t give up on her dream of being an entrepreneur.

Enterance to the Bala Clothing store

Deqing is very passionate about Tibetan culture, and she enjoys designing clothing. So as one with a true entrepreneurial spirit, Deqing started again. This time though, she opened a clothing shop.

At the beginning Bala Clothing Shop was a small, but through hard work and persistence, Deqing has expanded it to a shop of quite a notable size.

Deqing is a very active entrepreneur. She attends a lot of different workshops to study and share her experience of running small businesses. She is also active in charity, and continues to find ways to help Tibetan students with their tuition.

If you are stopping in Kangding, pay a visit to Bala store, to marvel at the traditional Tibetan dresses and clothing that she has designed. Who knows? Maybe you will look good in it, and find yourself going home with a beautiful, locally designed, traditional dress, or unique piece of jewelry.

Some of the merchandise sold at Bala Clothing

Contact Info:

地址：甘孜州康定市光明路，芭拉店。

电话: 13320796088

Address: Guangming Road, Kangding City Town, Ganzi Prefecture.

Phone: 13320796088

May 31, 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
Malaya Tibetan Restaurant

The Malaya Tibetan Restaurant was founded in 2006. Located in the heart of the town of Kangding, it is the oldest and best Tibetan Restaurant in town. The restaurant is run by a young and knowledgeable Tibetan guy – Xirao – who is from Minyak, in the Kham region. Xirao received his education in China, and he speaks fluent Tibetan, Chinese, and English. He is passionate about Tibetan culture, especially culture that is shown through food.
Inside the Malaya Tibetan Restaurant

Inside Malaya, the decorations are very beautiful and unique. In order to give clients a healthy and comfortable environment, Xirao renovated the restaurant in 2014. There are 14 staff at the restaurant, all of whom are Tibetan. The Malaya restaurant has been providing job opportunities to young, local Tibetans, which has been accompanied by providing the necessary training to see their staff continue to grow. The staff welcome their diners with enthusiasm, and they are always happy to provide the best food and service to their customers.

Inside the restaurant, there are 5 different private rooms, and a large dining hall which can hold more than 100 people. Such a large dining room allows them to offer the space for large parties and events. Malaya has a beautiful view which is complemented with the delicious food and Tibetan music. While visiting Malaya, try their Tibetan butter tea or local Tibetan wines. As a result of Malaya’s enjoyable food and their quality of the service, the restaurant was recognized in 2015 as the “most unique local restaurant” by the local tourist administration.

Contact Info:

地址：康定水井电梯公寓6楼。

电话：0836-2877111

Address: Shui Jing Apartment 6 Floor, Kangding City Town, Ganzi Prefecture, Sichuan Province.

Phone: 0836-2877111

May 30, 2016