CHINA - Destinations & Hotels

Shangri-La (Zhongdian)

The Gyaltang Dzong Hotel | $$$
Character Boutique, Directors favourite hotels, Remote location

The Gyaltang Dzong Hotel is located a picturesque 15 minute walk (4 minute drive) to the south of Gyaltang Town (Gyaltang is the Tibetan name but known nowadays as Shangri-La or Zhongdian in Chinese language).

The high altitude of 3600 metres above sea level mean that ideally you need to acclimatize for a few days at the lower altitudes of Lijiang and Dali and even then you may well find yourself getting out of breath doing the simplest of tasks. However the effort of getting here and the discomfort of being at such an altitude is outweighed by the great rewards of being in a place of such outstanding natural beauty and depth of culture unrivaled in China.

The Gyaltang Dzong Hotel transports international standards of service to the Tibetan borders but all the while maintaining the small and cozy balance of a unique boutique hotel. In keeping with Tibetan lamasery style, all rooms face inwards towards a central courtyard, which is home to an al fresco dining and an informal outdoor space.

Within the hotel the interior decor is vibrant and colourful, using ethnic textiles to create a warm ambiance, befitting of this exotic, cultural locale. Rich hues of orange, browns and purples integrate the decorative motif of the Endless Knot, one of the eight auspicious symbols of Tibetan Buddhism.

The 47 rooms and suites are characteristically Tibetan, with windows featuring multiple small glass panes set in a square frames. The rooms offer spectacular views outwards over the valley or towards the "protector" hill behind the retreat. All rooms come complete with two mattresses on a raised platforms, IDD telephone, complimentary Wi-Fi access, en suite bathrooms (with hot water), heaters, writing desk, and coffee and tea making facilities.

Dining options include Metok Pema Restaurant - named after the lotus flower - focuses on morning and evening meals as guests typically spend the day out on tour. The daily breakfast buffet is hearty with a variety of breads, fresh fruits and juices as well as hot local and western dishes. Evening meals are more elaborate and accommodate Chinese food, local Tibetan dishes, some Western options and the Chef's Daily Specials. Sampling Tibetan traditional dishes is a must with 'Roasted marinated yak loin in local spices with organic grown vegetables and seasonal mountain mushrooms'. The courtyard café serves more simple foods and a selection of beverages. The internationally renowned Angsana Spa is the perfect place to pamper yourself after a day touring.

Gyalthang Dzong Hotel organizes and number of great tours with local guides including nature walks, more serious trekking, bicycle rentals, jeep safaris and Special Botanical Tours. During the summer and autumn seasons, botanists from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh conduct special tours and lectures on the extraordinary botanical wealth of the region.

Places of interest around Gyaltang include the sacred Re-Nga Temple, Shudu Lake, the Summer Horse-Race Festival and numerous hot springs. The hot springs are set in a spectacular natural environment and will entice you to soak and relax.

This is a great small boutique hotel under western management (managed by Angsana Resorts & Spa) and is a good value alternative to the uber luxurious (and expensive) nearby Banyan Tree property. The hotels in the actual town are not of a very good quality, often running out of hot water – an absolute must in the colder higher altitudes. Even being slightly out of town we recommend the Gyaltang Hotel as the best of the mid range options without hesitation.

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