Gyalthan Dzong Hotel, Zhongdian

At Gyalthang Dzong Hotel in Yunnan, China you will discover your own Shangri-La, a distant and secluded hideaway of great beauty and peacefulness. A remote paradise on earth where harmony reigns, where the gods walk among the people, and where man and nature embrace.

Gyalthang Dzong Hotel is a typical Tibetan building but with a unique architecture in 'Tibetan lamasery' style. A lamasery is a monastery for lamas-Buddhist monks who are spiritually qualified to lead people towards enlightenment.

The place is not new to travellers. The Southern Silk Road began in Sichuan province to the north, crossed the length of Yunnan and continued on to Vietnam. Some 2,000 years later, the region gained a new mystique as the setting in James Hilton's novel 'Lost Horizon'. Today, with the opening of China and its emergence as an exotic destination, visit the most unexplored corner of all - Gyalthang Dzong Hotel.

This hotel brings international standards of service to the Tibetan borders while maintaining the small and cosy scale of a boutique hotel. In keeping with Tibetan lamasery style, all rooms face inwards towards a central courtyard, which hosts al fresco dining and an informal outdoor space.

Inside the rooms, the interior decor uses vibrant colour and ethnic textiles to create an intimate ambience. With rich hues of orange, rust and maroon incorporate the decorative motif of the Endless Knot, one of the eight auspicious symbols of Tibetan Buddhism. Room windows are characteristically Tibetan, featuring multiple small glass panes set in a square frame. Facing outwards over the valley, the rooms lend spectacular views either over the expansive valley and towering mountains or otherwise towards the "protector" hill behind the retreat.

Gyalthang lies at the crossroads of many ancient civilizations. To the south lie the picturesque and historic towns of Lijiang and Dali, and further still lie the great river civilizations of Yunnan, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Burma. To the north is Central Tibet and the Himalayan civilizations of Nepal and Bhutan. Gyalthang Dzong Hotel can assist you with onward travel plans to these destinations.

The restaurant focuses on morning and evening meals as guests typically spend the day out on tour or away trekking. At lunch time choose between a lighter menu or more substantial dishes. The evening meal consists of more elaborate fare. The menu accommodates Chinese tastes, local Tibetan dishes, some Western food and the Chef's Daily Specials. Aku Lemu Bar Named after the legendary khampa hero, the Aku Lemu Bar remains true to its nomadic Tibetan origins with a cozy ambience and seating on a low platform next to the fireplace. Their Courtyard Cafe was originally named after George Forrest, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh's pioneer botanist who discovered Yunnan's extraordinary botanical biodiversity. Chairs and tables are arranged in spring and summer for cocktails, light food and beverages.