Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa will open in 2012, a city set on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, the highest region on earth — Photo by Shangri-La

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel group, announces it will open a new hotel in 2012 in Lhasa, a city set on the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau, the highest region on earth. The 350-room luxury urban resort, owned and operated by Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, will rest amongst the tallest peaks in the world: a striking mountain landscape of glaciers, valleys and lakes considered sacred by many.

Located on Lingkor Road, Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa will be one mile from the Potala Palace, the famous 7th century complex at the centre of Lhasa with over 1,000 rooms and a collection of cultural relics including handwritten Buddhist manuscripts. The hotel will be about one third of a mile from other notable Lhasa landmarks including: Chokpori, known as “Iron Mountain” and one of the four holy mountains of central Tibet; Norbu Lingka, the summer palace originally built in 1755; and the Tibet Museum.

Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa will include modern interpretations of traditional Tibetan architectural motifs and interiors will layer locally produced arts, crafts and fabrics over a contemporary space. Designed with comfort in mind, guestrooms will begin at 388 square feet and many will offer views of the Potala Palace. Service touches will include Tibetan welcome rituals and the local hand churned butter tea.

The hotel’s design will also take into consideration the difficulties travelers face acclimating to the high altitude and attempt to mitigate its effects. Inspired by the window boxes of flowers found outside traditional Lhasa homes, the hotel will be surrounded with extensive garden landscaping featuring indigenous plants to increase oxygen levels in the area. The hotel will also have a full service clinic with medical staff to attend to guests.

“Shangri-La is delighted to announce a new project in the Himalayas, which will support development efforts in the region. The tourism and hospitality industry will bring greater prosperity to Tibet and we are proud that Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa can be part of that growth,” said Greg Dogan, president and chief executive officer of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts.

The modern hotel will feature a variety of dining and entertainment options including an all-day dining restaurant, a Chinese restaurant, a bar and a lobby lounge. Recreational facilities such as an indoor swimming pool and health club will be available. The meeting and banqueting facilities will include a 18,300-square-foot grand ballroom, complemented by several smaller function rooms.

Lhasa sits on a flat plateau next to the Lhasa River at an altitude of 11,975 feet above sea level. The city is surrounded by the Himalayan mountain range, including the region’s most famous peak, Mt. Everest. Lhasa has over 1,300 years of history and has long been the political, economic, cultural, and religious center of the region. In Tibetan, the city’s name can be translated to “Sacred Land” and “Place of Buddha”. A fascinating cultural destination in its own right, the city is also a good starting point for travelers planning to explore the dramatic Himalayan landscape. Travelers arrive to Lhasa by train, on the highest railway in the world, or by air to the Lhasa Gonggar Airport located 31 miles from the city center.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, Asia Pacific’s leading luxury hotel group, currently owns and/or manages 66 hotels under the deluxe Shangri-La and mid-market Traders brands, with a rooms inventory of over 30,000. The group has over 40 projects under development in Austria, Canada, mainland China, France, India, Macau, Malaysia, Philippines, Russia, Qatar, Seychelles, Turkey and United Kingdom. For more information and reservations, please contact a travel professional or access the website at .

Judy Reeves
Public Relations Manager, North America
(212) 382-3155
Shangri-La