Songtsam Hotels Resorts & Tours, a luxury boutique hotel collection operating in Tibet and Yunnan provinces, has opened its 18th property, Songtsam Lodge Yading. Situated in Yading Village in China’s Sichuan Province, the 40-room lodge sits beneath the Three Sacred Mountains of Daocheng, a dramatic trio of peaks revered locally for representing wisdom, compassion and courage.
© Songstam Resorts
The lodge is oriented southeast to capture the rising sun, ensuring every room enjoys views of the snow-capped mountains and the region’s celebrated golden sunrises. The property is composed of three separate houses—Yangmaiyong, Xia’nodorjee and Xiannairi—each named after one of the Three Sacred Mountains and positioned to optimize views and privacy.
Under the direction of Songtsam founder Baima Duoji and the company’s in-house engineering team, the buildings are modeled on traditional “Black Zang Houses.” Constructed from natural stone with dark wooden doors and windows, the architecture and material palette reflect the Khamba tradition commonly found in eastern Tibet, blending authenticity with careful craftsmanship.
Interior design at Songtsam Lodge Yading draws from the surrounding landscape and local culture. Colors such as white, red, green and blue, paired with metallic accents, reference both regional aesthetics and the area’s historical ties to early Western exploration. In the late 1920s, American botanist and explorer Joseph Rock traveled through Yading and introduced the village to the wider world, an episode that later inspired James Hilton’s novel Lost Horizon. The lodge’s décor subtly celebrates that cross-cultural history without overstating it.
“We look forward to welcoming well-traveled guests to stay at the new Songtsam Lodge Yading to experience all that Yading Village has to offer, especially with the upcoming openings of our new on-site immersive culture and heritage centers,” said Mr. Duoji. “Whether guests choose to relax on property, take in the views, or join outdoor tours, their stays will help generate new job opportunities for local residents in Sichuan Province.”
© Songstam Resorts
Visitors eager to explore the village and surrounding landscape can book guided outings with experienced local guides, including hikes around the Three Sacred Mountains. To deepen cultural exchange, each of the three houses hosts a local Sichuan family, offering guests an opportunity to learn about daily life and local traditions first hand.
Culinary offerings at Songtsam Lodge Yading emphasize regional flavors and authenticity. On-site dining includes a Hot Pot restaurant and Horizon, a rustic Tibetan restaurant that uses local ingredients such as tsampa (roasted barley flour), yogurt, house-made hot pot broth and yak meat. The lodge also operates Lock Theme Cafe and Songtsam Kitchen, where guests can sample a range of local specialties and familiar comforts prepared with regional produce.
The property features Songtsam SPA, the resort group’s Himalayan spa concept. Drawing on Tibetan spiritual practices and healing traditions from Tibet, India, Nepal and neighboring regions, the spa provides wellness treatments tailored to the lodge’s unique geographical and cultural setting, offering guests opportunities for physical relaxation and mindful restoration.
Songtsam Lodge Yading is now accepting guests. For reservations or inquiries, contact Songtsam Hotels Resorts & Tours at [email protected].