Songtsam has announced the soft opening of its first low-carbon hotel, the Songtsam Linka Retreat Lake Basong Tso in Tibet. With the official opening planned for mid-September, the 122-key hotel will be Songtsam’s 16th and largest property.
Songtsam Linka Retreat Lake Basong Tso is located in the historic Jieba village. The villagers keep the traditions of the Gongbu Tibetans alive, offering Songtsam guests a rare opportunity to witness age-old Tibetan customs. During festivals, the villagers go around the lake, race horses, and dance. On weekdays, the elderly villagers are often dressed in Gongbu Tibetan costumes. The property affords views of Lake Basong Tso and the snow-capped peaks of Jieqing Naragabu.
Songtsam Linka Retreat Lake Basong Tso is situated at an altitude of approximately 11,417 feet, and houses 122 guestrooms and suites. During the soft opening 41 guestrooms will be available, including superior rooms, deluxe rooms and deluxe two-bedroom suites, alongside family two-bedroom and deluxe two-bedroom accommodations. The Basong Tso luxury suite and other room types will showcase the fusion of Tibetan architecture and modern design. The guestrooms range from 387 to 1,130 square feet, and each bedroom is equipped with a diffused oxygen supply system. Guests will also have access to the lobby bar, restaurant, bar, spa, gym, boutique and an Arc’teryx co-branded living room. The hotel also offers a conference room that can accommodate up to 70 persons.
Guests can go on guided walks and along the way, they can marvel at the snow-capped mountains and glaciers, and groups of yaks wandering in the grassland; hiking enthusiasts can go upstream to find Zhong Lake at the end of the river, stroll along the Zhala River or visit the Doqin Monastery. On a visit to the Cuogao Village, they can witness Gongbu architecture and wood carvings or participate in a handicraft workshop.
The design of the Songtsam Linka Retreat Lake Basong Tso was inspired by the settlement style of the Cuogao Village. In 2022, Songtsam and Siemens Energy signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement to jointly promote green and low-carbon circular development in rural areas. The low-carbon hotel is a result of this partnership. Energy consumption is offset by self-generated electricity, and carbon emissions are reduced to a minimum by using the abundant solar energy in Tibet to power the hotel.
In terms of sustainable development, in addition to a policy of energy conservation and emission reduction, the brand is committed to supporting the local and economic development of the community while preserving the local culture. Songtsam’s policy of hiring local employees (at least 120 jobs for villagers from the local community) will contribute to the region as well as the hotel. Songtsam Linka Retreat Lake Basong Tso will also give 5 percent of the property’s operating income to the adjacent Jieba village every year.
For more information, visit www.songtsam.com.
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