Songtsam Lodge Cizhong Reopens With Winery Focus in Yunnan’s “Asia’s Bordeaux”
Songtsam Lodge Cizhong reopens as the brand’s first winery-focused property, expanding capacity and deepening ties to Yunnan’s emerging wine region.
Photo: Courtesy of Songtsam
Songtsam Resorts has reopened Songtsam Lodge Cizhong in Yunnan Province after a significant expansion, positioning it as the group’s first wine-centered property.
Set along the Lancang River in the UNESCO-recognized “Three Parallel Rivers” region, the 26-room property sits in a valley that has quietly become a frontier for fine wine. French missionaries introduced winemaking to this region in the late 19th century, planting vines that continue to thrive at high altitudes. Today, producers such as Ao Yun, Shangri-La, and Xiao Ling have put the region on the radar of collectors, with some bottles commanding prices comparable to those of Bordeaux. Songtsam itself now produces a Chardonnay described locally as the “liquid diamond of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.”
The design, led by Qi Shanshan of Studio Qi, builds on that story. Interiors are layered with grape-toned palettes, salvaged timber, and hand-worked bronze, while each guestroom features a balcony with views of the river or snow-dusted peaks. The expansion more than doubles capacity, from 10 to 26 rooms, signaling confidence in wine tourism as a growth lever for Yunnan.
Oenophile clients can participate in tastings, vineyard tours, or hands-on winemaking experiences with local farmers, while cultural travelers may be drawn to the historic Catholic Church of Cizhong, where missionaries once produced communion wine, or to guided treks through the surrounding valleys. The combination makes Cizhong more than a stopover, but rather an addition to broader itineraries across Tibet and Yunnan.
Songtsam’s broader brand philosophy is also front and center: developing properties that both preserve Tibetan culture and foster community livelihoods. By investing in Cizhong’s wine revival, the group ties luxury hospitality to local economic resilience, an increasingly important consideration for clients seeking purpose-driven travel.
Introductory rates start from $330 per night, a relatively accessible luxury tier within a portfolio that now spans 18 lodges across Tibet and Yunnan.
