Songtsam Resorts, known for its collection of luxury lodges and retreats across the regions of Tibet and Yunnan, China, is proud to announce the reopening of Songtsam Lodge Cizhong, a new boutique wine hotel. Located in the charming village of Cizhong along the jade-hued Lancang River in the UNESCO-recognized “Three Parallel Rivers” region, the newly expanded lodge is the brand’s first winery-focused property, a distinctive addition in a part of the world increasingly celebrated for its wine culture.
Following an extensive renovation led by Qi Shanshan, Director of Songtsam’s Design and Art Center and founder of award-winning Studio Qi, the lodge has expanded from 10 to 26 guest rooms, each with a private balcony overlooking the jade-colored river and snow-capped peaks. The interiors draw inspiration from the region’s viticulture and natural beauty, blending earthy yellows and grape purples with salvaged timber, carved window frames, regionally crafted bronze furnishings (bronze work holds significant cultural and artistic importance in the Tibetan Plateau), and high wooden wainscoting evoke the character of traditional homes. This authentic design pays homage to ancestral Tibetan architecture while incorporating contemporary craftsmanship, creating an immersive sense of serenity rooted in place.
The property follows the rest of the Songtsam Resorts brand’s ethos: committed to preserving the essence of Tibetan culture, while also supporting the economic development and local communities in which each property is situated. Songtsam Lodge Cizhong celebrates wine region’s storied history and revival, a tradition dating back to 1898, when French Catholic missionaries introduced winemaking to the area. Initially producing wine for mass, the missionaries combined European techniques with local Tibetan culture, planting vineyards that continue to thrive at high altitudes where strong UV rays and cool climates yield complex, flavorful wines.
Today, the region is often referred to as “Asia’s Bordeaux,” and Songtsam Lodge Cizhong offers guests an exclusive experience into this growing wine culture. The lodge produces its own Chardonnay, which has been described as “liquid diamond of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau”, a pale gold wine with green hues, aromas of alpine lilies and pears, and flavors of wild honey and white peach, finishing with a flinty note reminiscent of the ancient glaciers of Mt. Mentsum. Guests can enjoy this signature vintage alongside tastings of other regional wines, including those from Ao Yun, Shangri-La, and Xiao Ling wineries.
Accommodations feature king or twin configurations with wood furnishings, wainscotting, framed art, and marble-accented bathrooms. Public spaces include a signature restaurant serving locally inspired dishes with international accents, a lobby lounge with panoramic river views, and an expansive open-air terrace perfect for sipping wine at sunset while overlooking the mountain range, which is sacred to many local groups. Wellness offerings include an onsite spa, fitness center, and curated experiences such as vineyard tours, hands-on winemaking with local farmers, hikes to hidden alpine lakes, and visits to historic landmarks like the Catholic Church of Cizhong and Bengong Temple.
Introductory rates at Songtsam Cizhong Lodge start at $330. For more information or to reserve a stay or a tour of any of Songtsam Resorts’ 18 properties throughout the Yunnan Province and Tibet, please contact [email protected]; or visit songtsam.com/en.
Hotel website
Songtsam Lodge Cizhong
Cizhong Village, Deqen
Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, 674506
China
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