Hotels we are using for your Tibet Tour

When traveling in Tibet, one thing you should always bear in mind is, the hotels’ facilities and service may not be the same standard in the other part of China or the world. Tibet is an extremely remote, isolated, high-altitude, and underdeveloped area in China. However, with the booming development of Tibet tourism, the accommodation condition in Tibet has been greatly improved from many aspects in recent years. Lots of modern clean and comfortable Chinese hotels offering all modern amenities have appeared in Tibet recently, especially in large cities. Still, you should be always aware that the overall level of accommodation in Tibet is lower than in other parts of China.

Hotels in Tibet are often decorated in traditional Tibetan style, with painted wood furniture and Thangka paintings, which provide a unique atmosphere during your stay in Tibet. Star-rated hotels equipped with private bathrooms, WiFi, and showering facilities are available in some big cities and popular travel destinations such as Lhasa, Shigatse, Tsedang, Nyingchi, and Gyantse. However, in remote areas, such as Mt. Everest Base Camp region, Mt. Kailash, Lake Manasarovar, and along all the treks, only local guesthouses are available with basic amenities, shared toilets, and no heating and showers. However, we do believe that the accommodation conditions will get better and better in the near future due to the development of Tibet with the support of the Chinese government. 

For travelers who want to take showers in the remote cities/areas except for Lhasa and Shigatse, it is highly recommended to have a shower between 7 pm and 10 pm at night rather than in the morning, as the hot waters are often gotten from solar panels located on the hotels’ roof, and the hot water often takes several minutes to flow through the tap as it travels from the roof. In addition, the room rates of the star-rated hotels in Tibet are generally more expensive than other parts of China, especially during the peak season.

As we know how important a good night's sleep is when traveling in Tibet, a sound sleep not only allows a good mood to enjoy each day far more but also helps you to better acclimatize the higher altitude and avoid high-altitude sickness. The hotels we WindhorseTour normally picked up to place our clients are those with higher quality and convenient locations, and of course, based on our clients' requirements and preferences. 

Table of contents:

• Hotels in Lhasa
• Hotels in Gyantse
• Hotels in Shigatse
• Hotels in Lhatse and Sakya
• Hotels in Sheger (New Tingri)
• Lodges in Mt. Everest Base Camp Region
• Hotels in Damxung
• Hotels in Tsedang and Samye
• Hotels in Nyingchi
• Hotels in Gyirong
• Hotels in Saga
• Hotels in Darchen
• Lodges in Manasarovar Lake and Mt. Kailash
• Hotels in Zanda

Hotels in Lhasa

As the capital of Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR) at the altitude of 3,650 m (12,000 ft), Lhasa has the most number of hotels and the best hotels in TAR. You can find hotels in different price ranges, offering various levels of comfort, from local guest houses or hostels to 5-star hotels. Most hotels from 3-star to 5-star offer breakfast to order or buffet breakfast with a combination of Western and Chinese dishes. 

Lots of travelers may tend to stay at the 3-4 stars hotels as they provide the best combination of price and comfort. Normally, they offer private rooms set with a private bathroom, hot shower, kettle at a reasonable price. 

Lhasa Old Town becomes the majority of tourists’ choice due to their great location to close to the main attractions and the good restaurants, even though they don’t have a heating system, and some hotels provide electric blankets during the cold months.

St Regis Lhasa Resort ☆☆☆☆☆

Located at No.22, Jiangsu Road, it is an international 5-star luxury hotel with great service and location. It should be the top choice to stay if you prefer to stay at luxury hotels. It only takes about 15 - 20 minutes to walk to Barkhor Street and Jokhang Temple. Moreover, it has every amenity, friendly English-speaking staff, amazing pool, delicious food, brand-new facilities, free internet, etc., that you would expect an international luxury hotel to offer. It offers a wide range of international cuisine as well as authentic Tibetan, Nepalese, Cantonese, and Sichuanese cuisine at its signature restaurant all day.

Shangri-la Hotel ☆☆☆☆☆

A 5-star hotel located at No. 19 Norbulingka Road, lying 2km from the famous Potala Palace, 1.5KM from Norbulingka Palace, and about 4.5km from the Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street. The hotel’s fifth floor is an overlooking spot where you can enjoy a 200-degree amazing view of Lhasa City, the undulating mountain range, and the holy blue sky without hindrance. There are 289 deluxe rooms with classic Tibetan style but fitted with all the modern amenities, private bathrooms with 24-hour hot water. There are 4 fine restaurants including an excellent buffet and a ‘Tibetan tapas bar’. It also has a gym, an oxygen lounge, a clinic, a large swimming pool, and a spa.

Four Points by Sheraton Lhasa ☆☆☆☆

This is an International 4-star hotel located at No.10, Bolinka Road, the eastern Lhasa city, facing Jiangsu Avenue and on the Lhasa River, which needs about a 10-minute walk from the Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street and an 8-minute drive from the Potala Palace. This hotel offers a competitive price among the 4-star hotels in Lhasa. Their 102 rooms are comfortable and warm with facilities including a 32-inch flat-screen LCD TV, High-Speed Internet Access, comfort (SM) Bed, and more. Their staff is friendly and professional which will make sure your stay is comfortable and unforgettable. It also has a beautiful courtyard designed in Southeast Asian style for you to relax and enjoy your meals at the restaurant.

House of Shambhala Boutique standard equals ☆☆☆☆

This typical Tibetan courtyard hotel is located at No. 7 Jiri 2nd Alley, a quiet alley of the famous Barkhor in the center of Lhasa. It is really easy and convenient to reach the top sights including Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor street. Rooms are decorated with traditional Tibetan style and fitted with Chinese style beds and private bathrooms. Free WiFi is accessible in public areas and rooms. The 24-hour front desk can help with luggage storage and concierge service. The on-site restaurant serves delicious cuisine with an appropriate menu. The rooftop restaurant serves local delicacies and views of The Potala Palace.

Shambhala Hotel Boutique standard equals ☆☆☆

This is a 3-star hotel having one of the best locations in Lhasa. It is an ideal choice for travelers who want to take in the sights and sounds of Lhasa as it is located at No.1 Danjielin Road, China with only 1.2KM away from the downtown, 8-10 minutes’ walk to Barkhor Street and a short distance from Ramoche Temple. Lots of the guests rate this hotel as one of the best hotels for its cleanliness, good location, professional English-speaking staff, and good internet. It was completely renovated in 2016, with relatively modern rooms.

Tibet Gang Gyan Hotel ☆☆☆☆

This is a local 4-star hotel offering both 3-star and 4-star standard rooms. It is located at No. 83, Beijing East Road, a superior location in Lhasa center and old town, which makes it convenient for tourists to go sightseeing (like Ramoche Temple, Barkhor Street, Jokhang Temple, etc.), shopping or eating. It has about 200 rooms and suites. The suites are decorated very luxuriously, while the Standard rooms are popular among most of the tourists for its unique feature. They offer food in Tibetan, Chinese, and Western. All the staff always try their best to meet the guests' requirements and maximize their satisfaction and comfort. It was opened in 2009 and renovated in 2012.

Yak Hotel ☆☆☆

This 3-star hotel is the earliest designated foreign-related unit in Tibet located on Beijing East Road. It belongs to the bustling center of Lhasa's old town. This ever-popular hotel has grown in recent years from backpacker hang-out to tour-group favorite, eschewing the cramped dorm rooms for a range of comfortable en-suite rooms. The 5th-floor breakfast bar offers great views of the Potala Palace. It has more than 100 comfortable rooms/suites including colorful Tibetan-style decor of the quiet back block, the larger but noisier deluxe rooms overlooking the main street, and having better bathrooms and the plush VIP rooms. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, direct dial telephones, and 24-hour hot water. 

Tashitakge Hotel

This is a great choice for budget travelers with competitive room rates and a great location. Centrally located in the old town of Lhasa, it’s a short 1-minute walk from Barkhor Street, a 3-minute walk from Jokhang Temple. It features a rooftop restaurant with views of Potala Palace and the mountains, which serves a variety of local Tibetan dishes. Free WiFi is available in public areas and in its rooms. The rooms are decorated with traditional Tibetan style and have private bathrooms inside.

Hotels in Gyantse:

Gyantse, at an altitude of 4,000 m (13,123 ft), is a small town standing on the southern Friendship Highway to Shigatse and Mt. Everest Base Camp. It is situated about 270KM away from Lhasa and historically considered as the 3rd largest town in the Tibet region (after Lhasa and Shigatse), but now there are at least ten larger Tibetan cities. There are only 2 real hotel options available in this town.

Yeti Hotel ☆☆☆

The 3-star Yeti Hotel is easily the best midrange option in Gyantse with great staff and good breakfast, which is the main hotel that we place our clients in Gyantse. The clean carpeted rooms are basic, but with heating, private bathrooms, humidifiers, quality mattresses, 24-hour hot showers, and reliable WiFi. The cafe and excellent lobby restaurant serve everything from yak steak to pizza, alongside one of Tibet's best buffet breakfast. Good restaurants and stores are located nearby within only a few minutes’ walk. Elevators are not available at this hotel, but the staff there are very willing to help you to carry luggage.  

Gyantse Hotel ☆☆☆

Despite being the largest hotel in Gyantse and popular with groups, Gyantse Hotel is an older hotel that was built in the mid-1980s and really hasn’t been renovated since then. Due to its outdated amenities and cleanness issue, we seldom place clients here unless they specifically ask to stay here.

Hotels in Shigatse: 

As the second-largest and one of the most important cities in Tibet at the altitude of 3,800 m (12,467 ft), Shigatse offers a variety of accommodations from local guesthouses to the 4-star rated hotels. Many comfortable hotels, decorated in Tibetan style and offering all modern amenities, have newly opened there. Most hotels offer food to order and buffet breakfast. They also have storage room for luggage if you prefer to leave any extras before heading to Everest Base Camp or Western Tibet.

Qomo Langzong (Qiaomulangzong) Hotel ☆☆☆☆

It is the local best 4-star hotel decorated with unique Tibetan elements. It has a great location with only an 8-minute walk to the must-see Tashilhunpo Monastery. This hotel offers a presidential suite with the highest altitude in the world and featured guest rooms with glass ceilings for romantic star-watching. Free oxygen supply system and free WiFi are provided. Rooms are fitted with a sofa, a work desk, air conditioning and a flat-screen cable TV. A hairdryer, a bathrobe, slippers and free toiletries are provided in each private bathroom. It has an on-site restaurant serving Chinese and Western cuisine. It’s a good choice for the ones seeking a higher standard hotel in Shigatse. 

Tashi Choten Hotel ☆☆☆☆

This is a comfortable local 4-star hotel in Shigatse with Tibetan decor, free WiFi, nice modern spacious bathrooms, enthusiastic Tibetan staff (some speak English). It is close to many good restaurants and the Old Town Market, about 20 minutes walk to Tashilhunpo Monastery. The hotel was renovated in 2017, having 109 rooms from the 2nd floor to the 4th floor including single rooms, standard rooms, triple rooms, deluxe suites. 24-hour hot water is available. There are 3 restaurants serving a large variety of Tibetan, Chinese and Western cuisines. It becomes a lot of foreigners’ choice for the up-to-date facilities and considerate service.

Gesar Hotel ☆☆☆☆

The Gesar Hotel is another nice Tibetan-style 4-star hotel, offers 3-star and 4-star standard rooms. It is one of the best hotels in Shigatse with a competitive room rate with beautiful rooms, great staff, heating, a pleasant rooftop teahouse, and decent internet. The only drawback is the location - the far side of Shigatse and not within walking distance of anything. For those who prefer to stay in a hotel that is within walking distance of markets, temples, shops, and restaurants, it might not be very convenient.

Manasarovar Hotel ☆☆☆

It is a local 3-star hotel opened in 2008 and decorated with Tibet decor. It is located at No. 14, Qingdao Road, Shigatse, which is convenient for shopping and sightseeing in Shigatse. There are 78 rooms including deluxe standard rooms, suites, and economic rooms. Rooms are fitted with private bathrooms, air conditioners, TV, Telephone, and humidified oxygen supply systems. The western toilet, hot water supply, bathtub, shower, hair-dryer, and toiletries are provided in the bathrooms. The restaurant is on the second floor of the side building, open at 07:00~09:00 and offering Asian food and some simple western food. For budget travelers, it can be a good idea.

Hotels in Lhatse and Sakya:

Lhatse is a convenient overnight stop for travelers heading to the western Tibet, at the altitude of 4,050 meters (13,290 ft). Lhatse is more or less a one-street town with a small square near the center located about 150KM away from Shigatse. Passing traffic will mostly be heading to Everest Base Camp, the Tibet-Nepal border, or the turn-off for western Tibet. It’s not a popular place to stay as most travelers will choose to stay in Sakya or Shegar and there are very few hotels here with limited conditions.

Lhatse Shanghai Grand Hotel

This is a new local budget hotel in Lhatse, but by far it’s the best hotel in this town. It looks fancy from the outside. Free WiFi is available at its rooms and in public areas. It has 46 rooms but the rooms are just so-so with private rooms and hot showers. This is the main hotel that we place our clients to stay in Lhatse.

Lhatse Tibetan Farmer Hostel

It is a local featured Tibetan style hostel run by a local farmer. It has 36 guest rooms and provides Tibetan and Western food. This is an aging hostel with outdated facilities. Even though tourists can see the local Tibetans’ lifestyle and folk songs & dances, we don’t place our clients here due to the poor conditions. 

Sakya is located southeast of Shigatse at the altitude of 4,300 m (14,108 ft), about 25KM off the southern Friendship Highway, accessed via a good dirt road through a pretty farming valley. It is a nice detour to Sakya off the Friendship Highway where the atmospheric and unique Sakya Monastery is situated. This remote small town has few hotels with basic amenities.

Yuan Mansion Hotel ☆☆☆

It is a 3-star hotel in Sakya which is considered to be the best hotel in Sakya with nice rooms fitted with private bathrooms and showers. The staff here can speak basic English and it is within a short walking distance to Sakya Monastery. It is the main hotel where we place clients in Sakya.

Sakya Manasarovar Hotel

This is a local budget hotel in Sakya offering deluxe rooms, double rooms, common rooms, and all standard rooms. It provides 24 hours of hot water supply, heat, and air conditioning. In addition, complimentary breakfast is provided in the hotel restaurant which serves decent Nepali food. Though it is a modern hotel, enough supply still can not be guaranteed in this remote area. Most of the time, there is no running water.

Hotels in Sheger (New Tingri):

Shegar, also known as New Tingri, is the last main stop on the way to Mt. Everest. It is located about 12KM before the turn-off to Mt. Everest with an average altitude of 4,330 m (14,210 ft). Some travelers will choose to spend a night here if it's too late to reach Everest base camp or look for better lodging. Then the next day heading off to catch the early morning Himalayan views from Pang-la pass en route to Everest. Shegar is a remote small town in Tibet with limited lodging.

Zhufeng Hotel ☆☆☆

It is a local 3-star hotel and remains the best hotel in this region. This hotel is located between the truck-stop village of Baber and the larger town of Shegar. The hotel was opened in 1990 and renovated in 2017, there are 105 rooms including standard rooms and deluxe rooms. Rooms have private bathrooms and hot showers, however, the hot water supply times vary and it is not available for 24 hours. Buffet breakfast is provided at this hotel. This is the main hotel where we place clients in Shegar.

Tingri Bebar Hotel ☆☆

This is a local budget hotel (2-star) opened in 2008 and renovated in 2018, located in Baber, a wind-raked truck stop along the Friendship Highway. It is located about 240KM away from Shigatse and 100KM away from Mt. Everest Base Camp. It offers various types of comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, free WiFi, air conditioning, and TV. Please kindly note that the hot water supply is not 24 hours. It would be a good choice for budget travelers.

Lodges in Mt. Everest Base Camp Region

Everest Base Camp in Tibet, with an altitude of 5,200 meters (17,060ft), is located about 100KM from Shegar.  It is a must-see attraction for most of the travelers during their Tibet tour. With only 19KM (11.8 miles) straight line distance from Mount Everest summit, it is one of the ideal points to enjoy the spectacular view of the north face of Mountain Everest - the world's highest peak. Besides, it is also the starting point for the Everest Northside expeditions. As such a remote area with limited conditions, only local guesthouses are available.

Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse

It is a small guesthouse located at the altitude of 5,100 m (16,732 ft), opposite the Rongbuk Monastery. It is extremely basic without private bathrooms, showering facilities, and WiFi, but it provides an absolutely amazing view of the majestic Mt. Everest. It has 20 standard rooms and 5 quintuple rooms without independent toilets. Each room is fitted with electric blankets, power sockets, a mirror, a lamp, a hot water bottle, a table, a washbasin without tap, cups, and a bucket. In spite of the barely-furnished room, you can have a warm night in such a harsh geographical condition. Its restaurant offers Chinese food and various drinks (coffee and tea) at a higher price and there are 2 stoves in the dining room to keep you warm. This is the main guest house where we usually place our clients in the Mt. Everest Region.

Tent Guesthouses

From late April to mid-October, large tents will be set up near Rongbuk Monastery with a great view of Mt. Everest. They are only a few km away from the Everest Climber’s Camp. The tents in the camp are large, with ten beds along the walls and a stove in the middle to radiate heat at night. In addition, plenty of blankets are available to keep you warm in the evenings, however, the blankets are rarely washed, it’s better to bring your own sleeping bag or lining. The toilets are located outside, it is advisable to bring your own flashlight or headlamp to find the way to it and back to your tent. Each tent has a kitchen inside offering simple but good and hot meals at a higher price.

Basum Village Guesthouses

For those who want to stay at a lower altitude at night, the local guesthouse in Basum village should be a good choice. It is located 40 kilometers north of the Rongphu Monastery offering a slight view of Everest, but it is almost 700 meters lower in altitude. Those guesthouses have shared bathrooms without showering facilities. WiFi is usually available here.

Hotels in Damxung:

Located about 65 kilometers before Namtso Lake, the small town Damxung is the only place where you will find an actual hotel in the area. In order to protect the environment of Namtso Lake, all the accommodations at the lakeshore of Namtso Lake have been moved out since 2019. Now for those heading to Namtso Lake, we usually arrange them to spend a night at Damxung to avoid a long time’s driving from Lhasa in a day. 

White Horse Pema Hotel

The White Horse Pema Hotel is a local budget hotel with competitive prices opened in 2005 and renovated in 2017. This featured Tibetan style hotel has 60 rooms decorated in Tibetan and Han style. Rooms are clean with in-room bathrooms and hot showers. The staff here are friendly. Free WiFi covers the whole hotel and 24 hours hot water is provided. There are several restaurants nearby. It is the main hotel where we place our clients on their 2 days trip to Namtso Lake from Lhasa, or from Shigatse to Namtso Lake.

Hongyuan Grand Hotel

This is a local budget hotel in Damxung newly opened in 2018 and located at No.19, East Road of Dangqu River, Damxung County. It is a sort of luxurious hotel in Damxung with 21 large rooms. Rooms are clean and neat fitted with private bathrooms and underfloor heating. Beds are with soft mattresses and warm wool quilts. 24 hours of hot water and free-Wifi are available here. However, it is at a higher price comparing the equivalent hotels in this area. 

Hotels in Tsedang and Samye:

Tsedang is reputed as the cradle of Tibetan Civilization. Here you can visit the first monastery in Tibet - Samye Monastery and the first palace of Tibet - the Yumbulagang Palace, it is a great place for travelers to learn about Tibet’s history and culture. With its development of the economy and tourism, there are many hotels ranging from local guesthouses to 4-star hotels, but only a few of them have the license to host overseas travelers.

Tsedang Hotel ☆☆☆☆

A local 4-star hotel, is the highest star-rated and largest tourist hotel in Shannan Prefecture. Its building combines Han, Tibetan, and European architectural styles. There are 233 guest rooms including luxurious suites, Tibetan-style rooms, standard rooms, and ordinary rooms. All the rooms are fitted with private bathrooms, fridge, TV, Telephone and Air conditioner. It also provides 24-hour hot water and buffet breakfast in Tibetan, Chinese, and Western-style. Free Wifi covers the whole hotel, but this is an aging hotel with facilities a bit outdated. It is one of the main hotels where we place our clients in Tsedang. 

Shannan Hotel ☆☆☆

It’s a local 3-star hotel located at No. 2 Hunan Rd, Nêdong District, Shannan, Tibet. The hotel has 103 rooms including deluxe suites, standard rooms, single rooms, standard rooms, single rooms, and economical rooms. The rooms are equipped with a private in-room bathroom, air conditioner, TV, and hot shower. There is a restaurant providing Sichuan, western, Hubei, Hunan, and Tibetan cuisines. We would recommend this hotel for budget travelers.

Samye Monastery Guesthouse

It is a huge modern budget hotel located outside the monastery walls in its own compound. It offers standard rooms with private bathrooms and hot showers, and it also has the cheaper double rooms sharing a bathroom down the hall (no shower). Though named after the monastery, the guesthouse is separate from the monastery and doesn’t have monastic charm. The staff is friendly. This is the main place where we place clients in Samye.

Hotels in Nyingchi:

Lying in the southeast of Tibet, Nyingchi is a prefecture-level city in Tibet with Bayi town as its administrative seat. It is also known as “Eastern Switzerland” and “Jiangnan of Tibet” with an average altitude of around 3,000 meters, some areas even below 800 meters. Nyingchi is one of the most attractive places in Tibet with highlights including the Giant Cypress Nature Reserve, Lulang Forest Park, Basum Lake, etc. Besides, the famous breathtaking southern Sichuan-Tibet Highway passes through this area, therefore, it would be a good choice to stay a night in Bayi town. Here you can find a large variety of accommodation ranging from local guesthouses to 5-star hotels. 

Hilton Linzhi Resort ☆☆☆☆☆

Set on the banks of the Yarlung Zangbo River, Hilton Linzhi Resort is the only international 5-star deluxe hotel in Mainling County, Nyingchi. With a backdrop of the Himalayas and the Yarlung Zangbo River at its front, the resort boasts wonderful views and is only 7 kilometers away from the airport and close to popular sights, including Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon, Namjagbarwa Mountain, and Nanyi Ditch Scenic Spot. All the rooms are fitted with private bathrooms. They offer 24 hours of hot water and buffet breakfast in Chinese and Western-style. Free WiFi covers the whole hotel. There are two restaurants, a movie theater, a karaoke room, mahjong tables, kid’s club, a billiards room, a fitness center, and a heated indoor pool at this hotel. 

Hongtian Hotel ☆☆☆☆

This is a local 4-star hotel open in 2012 and renovated in 2016. It offers a pleasant stay in Nyingchi for those traveling for business or leisure. It is located about 2.5KM away from the downtown of Nyingchi and approximately 50km from Mainling Airport. The nearby area boasts an abundance of attractions including Maoniu Square, Bayi Town, and Nyingchi Ziran Museum. It has 145 rooms with exquisite and modern decoration and private bathrooms. 24-hours hot water and free-WiFi is provided at this hotel. It is particularly popular with those traveling with friends.

Tangchao Hotel (Great Tang Hotel Linzhi) ☆☆☆

This local 3-star hotel is an ideal choice for travelers who want to take in the sights of Nyingchi. It was renovated in 2015 and is located at No. 34, Guangfu Road, Bayi town, Nyingchi, close to the city center and with Nyang River on its left. Free WiFi is available in all areas and hot waters are provided 24 hours. There are 50 rooms including standard rooms and deluxe rooms. Rooms are with private bathrooms, electric kettles, TVs, etc. The hotel will provide a daily Chinese style buffet breakfast.

Hotels in Gyirong:

Due to the heavy damages of Zhangmu caused by the Nepal earthquake in 2015, Gyirong has been opened as the new border for travelers between Tibet and Nepal since 2017. There are several budget hotels with basic amenities in this remote small town, but only a few of them have permits to host overseas travelers. 

Phuntsok Rabsal Hotel

It is located in the center of town with English-speaking staff and a good Nepali restaurant on its ground floor that serves breakfast and dinner. Rooms have private bathrooms with hot showers and some rooms have good views of the nearby snow-covered peaks. It should be the best option for lodging in Gyirong. It is the main hotel where we place clients in Gyirong.

Gyirong Hotel

It is another decent choice for accommodation in Gyirong, but the rooms are smaller in size, especially its bathrooms. It could be an alternative if there are no rooms at the Phuntsok Rabsal Hotel.

Hotels in Saga:

Saga township, the seat of Saga county, is the last town on the southern route and a logical overnight stop for travelers and pilgrims on the way to Mt. Kailash and far-west Tibet. It lies at the junction of three major roads (the Lhartse Road,  the Dzongka Road, and the Drongpa and Purang Roads) in Tibet, at an altitude of 4,640 m (15,223 ft) and on the banks of the Yarlung Tsangpo river. There are only a few hotel options at this small and underdeveloped township.

Brahmaputra Hotel

This is a local budget hotel in Saga newly opened in 2017 and renovated in 2018. There are 50 rooms fitted with private bathrooms. 24 hours of hot water and free WiFi are available. Buffet breakfast in Chinese style is provided at this hotel. It is one of the most popular choices for budget travelers to Saga. 

Grand Hotel of Western Post ☆☆☆

It is a local 3-star hotel opened in 2016, considered to be one of the best hotels in Saga town. It has 71 rooms including the deluxe suites, standard rooms, and twin rooms. Rooms are fitted with private bathrooms. 24-hour hot water is available and free WiFi has covered the whole hotel. During the peak season, this hotel is filled with pilgrims heading to Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar for pilgrimage. It is often incredibly loud deep into the night, the staff is also rude, in addition, this hotel has been known for canceling reservations made weeks and months in advance from its side without notice to host larger pilgrimage groups.

Hotels in Darchen:

Darchen, also known as Tarchen, is a small remote village with an altitude of about 4,700 meters (25,430 ft). It also serves as the starting point of the sacred Mt. Kailash Kora located at the foot of Mt. Kailash. Every year, there are thousands of global travelers and photographers traveling here to appreciate the magnificent landscape and dozens of pilgrims gathering here to pay their homage to the holiest mountain Kailash. With the development of tourism here, lots of new hotels with in-room bathrooms and restaurants have been opened in this remote area in recent years, however, the accommodations are still basic due to its high altitude and harsh geographic conditions.

Himalaya Kailash Hotel ☆☆☆☆

It is a local 4-star hotel decorated with Tibetan decor which is considered to be the local best hotel in this region at present. There are 192 rooms, including a superior single room, suites, twin room, and dorm-bed room. The rooms are spacious and comfortable and fitted with private bathrooms and hot water with limited hours. Electricity is limited in this isolated area. There are Chinese and Western buffet restaurants offering a variety of food and drinks. It is normally open from April to October. This is the main hotel where we place our clients who have a higher demand for lodging.

Chongqing Hotel

This is a local budget hotel located in the holy Mt. Kailash Scenic Area, with complete surrounding facilities, warm and hospitable Chinese hosts. Several snack bars are around it. It is a small hotel having 25 rooms. The rooms are clean and comfortable. It would be a good choice for budget travelers. 

Lodges in Manasarovar Lake and Mt. Kailash:

Located about 1,300KM westwards from Lhasa and 250KM away from Zanda, they are two of the most remote and legendary travel destinations in the world. They are honored not only as of the holiest sites among Buddhism, Hinduism, Bon, and Jainism, but also a place of adventure for many regular travelers for its stunning landscape beauty and spiritual significance. From every late April to mid-October, it draws hundreds of Buddhism and Hindus pilgrims as well as thousands of worldwide adventure seekers. Both local Tibetans and Hindus believe that a worship journey to both places and the completing Mt. Kailash Kora can help to wash away their sins and get their mind purified. 

Due to the high altitude and harsh environment, only basic local guesthouses with shared toilets are available along with the Mt. Kailash and Lake Manasarovar pilgrimage routes. Those guesthouses often offer dormitories with 4 beds or 6 beds, which provide the basic bedding with sheet/pillow/blanket, however, they are not washed often, so it is strongly recommended to bring your own sleeping bag or lining. The toilets are usually located about 100 meters away and can be filthy dirty. It is really necessary to bring your own toiletries and sanitary articles, as those guesthouses do not provide them.

Normally, the 52KM’s Mt. Kailash Kora trek takes 3 days 2 nights. On the first night, travelers will be arranged to stay at the Dira-puk Monastery guesthouse (5,080m). It has one old building and one new building with very basic facilities. In the new building, some rooms are twin rooms and dormitory rooms are distributed at the old building. It also has a small tea house where you can get bottled water, some snacks, and hot water. On the second night, you will trek to Zutul-puk Monastery and stay overnight at the guesthouse there. At this guesthouse, only dormitory rooms with five beds are available. However, it has a small restaurant where you can have hot meals.

There are several small guesthouses located at the lakeshore of Lake Manasarovar. They provide similar facilities and have almost the same cost as the guesthouses on Mt. Kailash. They also offer dorm rooms with typically five beds and toilets outside.

Hotels in Zanda:

Zanda county in Ngari Prefecture is located in the extreme southwest of Tibet Autonomous Region, at an average altitude of 4,000 m (13,123 ft). It is famous for the ruins of the Guge Kingdom and Tholing Monastery. It is a worthy detour after Mt. Kailash. There are dozens of hotels and hostels in Zanda County. The rooms are at a relatively higher price but clean and comfortable.

Tulin Castle Hotel ☆☆☆☆

It is a local 4-star hotel located on the east side of Zanda County Government, near Zanda Earth Forest Scenic Spot, and considered to be the best hotel in this region at present. It was open in 2014 and renovated in 2017, has 71 rooms. All the rooms are fitted with private bathrooms. Free WiFi covers the whole hotel and 24-hour hot water is available here. There is a restaurant offering Tibetan cuisine, Huaiyang cuisine, and Sichuan cuisine. 

With an average altitude over 3,000 meters, it’s better to avoid staying in the high floors, as the higher the ground is, the thinner the air becomes. In addition, for those traveling to the remote area of Tibet except Lhasa/Shigatse/Nyingchi, it is highly recommended to bring your own sleeping bag or lining, toiletries, and sanitary articles as the blankets are seldom washed and most local guesthouses don’t provide toiletries and sanitary articles. Alongside the hotels marked above, we can certainly arrange the other hotels in Tibet according to your requirements and interests. Please don’t hesitate to share your preferable hotel brand and name with us by email (info@windhorsetour.com) or leave your comments online.