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Find your Inner Peace at the New Shangri-La in Tibet
The term ‘sanctuary’ is often used to describe secluded luxury hotels, but a new opening by Shangri-La is set to put the true meaning of that phrase to the test.
Situated 3,650 meters above sea level in Lhasa, Tibet, surrounded by the Himalayan mountains, the new 289-room hotel is perfectly positioned to refresh the mind and soul of its guests.
Due to its unique location, the hotel has been equipped with customised facilities including a 24-hour medical clinic and an “Oxygen Lounge”, where oxygen levels are equivalent to those found at sea level, helping guests to acclimatise to the altitude.
The hotel boasts an array of distinctive Tibetan cultural hallmarks, including a striking 6.5-metre-tall chandelier made from 61,000 pieces of crystal, draped in a flowing red fabric to evoke a prayer wheel.
Meanwhile guests are greeted with the offering of a hada — a traditional ceremonial white silk scarf — and barley is thrown on a wooden container used by Tibetans to pray for an abundant harvest.
Once in their room, guests are served yak butter tea in Tibetan pots, and upon departure hotel staff serenade guests with traditional Tibetan songs.
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is one of the world's most renowned luxury hotel brands. It currently runs almost 80 residences across Asia, the Middle East, North America, Oceania and Europe.