Exploring Tibet's Untouched Holy Land

Located just outside Kathmandu, near Pashupatinath, Nepal’s most sacred mountain, Dwarika’s Hotel, Kathmandu is the recipient of a prestigious World Heritage Award given for outstanding historical preservation. The 80 guest rooms and suites are decorated with intricately carved wood and terracotta work in the traditional Newari style and are equipped with wi-fi access. Krishnarpan, one of the hotel’s two restaurants, offers six- to 22-course authentic Nepali meals, Toran has Chinese and Indian specialties, while Fusion has live blues and jazz in a bar setting. Dwarika’s Hotel, Kathmandu has a spa with massage treatments and a swimming pool. The business center is fully equipped with broadband Internet access and secretarial services. The hotel is approximately a 10-minute drive from the airport in Kathmandu.

Opened in April 2014, this luxury property is a fitting new addition to the Lhasa hospitality scene. Shangri-La is, after all, the mythical kingdom believed to inhabit the Tibetan plateaus. Located in the city center, this stylish urban retreat allows guests to experience time-honored Tibetan customs - being welcomed with a local drink called chima, for instance, and being presented with a ceremonial khata scarf. Visitors at the Shangri-La Lhasa can enjoy being within strolling distance of this historic city's main attractions, including Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. For those who find Lhasa's high-altitude landscapes literally breathtaking, there's an oxygen lounge and relaxation center at the resort primed for guest recuperation. As with all Shangri-La properties, local culture plays a vital role in both the hospitality and the décor. At the Lhasa resort, this manifests in traditional architecture and design, with contemporary, luxuriously appointed guest rooms accented with local Tibetan textiles and artworks. Guests are also spoiled with far-reaching views of the mountains, the city and the spectacular Potala Palace.  

When people close their eyes and imagine Tibet, the iconic Potala Palace may come to mind, and the Songtsam Linka Lhasa positions its guests just a stone’s throw from the famed structure. The palace is located a mere three miles away and is directly visible from the windows and balconies of several of the hotel’s rooms. The hotel itself features slaked lime walls, indigo-carved windows, and a fish-fin-shaped facade – all nods to traditional Tibetan artisans and culture – and the interior maintains an aura of reverence with decorations like wooden floors covered by warm carpets and exquisite wall tapestries. Rooms are spacious, with sitting spaces, balconies, and comfortable beds, and they are equipped with oxygen concentrators to help guests deal with Lhasa’s demanding altitude. There is a Chinese and Tibetan restaurant, which serves excellent home-style dishes, as well as a Western restaurant, where guests will find a breakfast buffet and a selection of wines later in the day. There is also a library and a boutique where guests can purchase souvenirs. Besides Potala Palace, visitors to Lhasa can also explore Jokhang Temple and the Drepung and Sera monasteries, and there are also many natural landscapes to explore in the region.

Opened in November 2010, the St. Regis Resort in Lhasa stands on eight acres of land at “the roof of the world," with sweeping views of the Potala Palace. The spacious 162 rooms and villas with marble baths are decorated with carefully sourced artifacts that reflect the richness of Tibetan culture. There are a variety of restaurants to choose from, including the intimate private wine club Decanter by Haut-Brisson and Si Zi Kang, which serves traditional Tibetan cuisine. The health club boasts an indoor heated swimming pool, a yoga and pilates studio, and Iridium, a spa offering refined indulgence with Tibetan flavor. The business center offers 4 meeting rooms, copy and printing services, and faxing services. Other amenities include secretarial service and 24-hour butler service. The St. Regis Lhasa is located just minutes from the Potala Palace, the famous Barkhor area, Jokang Temple, Norbulinka, and is 46 miles from Gongga International Airport.

The 3* Gyantse Hotel is the best hotel in Gyantse. It offers a mix of western and Tibetan-style rooms (with hard beds, according to local customs!), all with TV, hot water and en-suite bathrooms. Many of the rooms have fantastic views of the town of Gyantse and the surrounding mountains.

The Shigatse Hotel is a modern 3* hotel located in the city centre. It boasts 123 rooms, with a choice of either modern Western-style or traditional Tibetan. All rooms have en-suite bathrooms, satellite TV, pay movies, minibar, hairdryer & telephone. The hotel also has 4 restaurants serving buffet, Chinese, Tibetan and international menus as well as breakfast. There is also a beauty salon, massage, shopping centre, gym, bar and disco.

Opened in April 2014, this luxury property is a fitting new addition to the Lhasa hospitality scene. Shangri-La is, after all, the mythical kingdom believed to inhabit the Tibetan plateaus. Located in the city center, this stylish urban retreat allows guests to experience time-honored Tibetan customs - being welcomed with a local drink called chima, for instance, and being presented with a ceremonial khata scarf. Visitors at the Shangri-La Lhasa can enjoy being within strolling distance of this historic city's main attractions, including Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple. For those who find Lhasa's high-altitude landscapes literally breathtaking, there's an oxygen lounge and relaxation center at the resort primed for guest recuperation. As with all Shangri-La properties, local culture plays a vital role in both the hospitality and the décor. At the Lhasa resort, this manifests in traditional architecture and design, with contemporary, luxuriously appointed guest rooms accented with local Tibetan textiles and artworks. Guests are also spoiled with far-reaching views of the mountains, the city and the spectacular Potala Palace.  

Opened in November 2010, the St. Regis Resort in Lhasa stands on eight acres of land at “the roof of the world," with sweeping views of the Potala Palace. The spacious 162 rooms and villas with marble baths are decorated with carefully sourced artifacts that reflect the richness of Tibetan culture. There are a variety of restaurants to choose from, including the intimate private wine club Decanter by Haut-Brisson and Si Zi Kang, which serves traditional Tibetan cuisine. The health club boasts an indoor heated swimming pool, a yoga and pilates studio, and Iridium, a spa offering refined indulgence with Tibetan flavor. The business center offers 4 meeting rooms, copy and printing services, and faxing services. Other amenities include secretarial service and 24-hour butler service. The St. Regis Lhasa is located just minutes from the Potala Palace, the famous Barkhor area, Jokang Temple, Norbulinka, and is 46 miles from Gongga International Airport.