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Pakistan Karakoram Highway Expedition
Pakistan
Songtsam Benzilan is boutique lodge, nestled in an intimate green valley by the Jinsha River, northwest of Yunnan. A spiritual centre on the banks of the Upper Yangtze, Benzilan was once an important stop along the Tea Horse Road. Set on a mountaintop village at 1,900m, it’s surrounded with pastures blanketed with wildflowers and beautiful terraced fields. Benzilan is one of five Songtsam lodges enroute to hidden Kham villages which combine to create a circuit trip in the area.
The two-storey, stone and wooden Songtsam Benzilan lodge, houses just 10 rooms. All are independently decorated in traditional style with modern furnishings and Tibetan artefacts. The in-house restaurant serves delicious Chinese and Tibetan dishes prepared with ingredients sourced from its own organic garden. There is a library with a selection of books, a quite spot to relax or you can enjoy a drink on the rooftop bar heated by a wood burning stove.
The Songtsam Benzilan lodge, nestled in a Tibetan village surrounded by a green forest changes dramatically with the seasons - flowers are in bloom in spring, autumn is full of colour and winter brings a blanket of snow. Guests can take guided treks through its valleys, learn about its amazing wildlife and rich birdlife. Other activities include visiting local Tibetan villages and Buddhist monasteries to learn about their culture, hunting for mushrooms and a BBQ under the stars.
Stay Songtsam Benzilan Lodge features just 10 spacious deluxe rooms. All are decorated in modern Sino-Tibetan style with polished wooden floors, plush beds with fine linen, hand crafted furniture and antique artefacts. Rooms have sitting areas, writing desk, ensuite modern bathrooms with rainfall showerheads, complimentary toiletries and large windows overlooking the terraced fields studded with Tibetan houses. Conveniences include coffee/tea makers and daily housekeeping.
ChildCare Families with children are welcome to stay at Songtsam Benzilan Lodge but there are no specific facilities available for children.
Dine The in-house restaurant at the Songtsam Benzilan serves authentic home cooked traditional meals and some Western favourites. All meals are inclusive with the rate and they are taken in the small but cosy restaurant located in the main building offering views of the green valley and village field. The ever-changing menu is based on seasonal local produce, mostly sourced from its own vegetable garden. The second-floor bar provides a great venue for guests to socialise.
Relax There are ample spaces within the Songtsam Benzilan lodge to relax including a library and a rooftop terrace, perfect for sunbathing and enjoy great vistas of the beautiful valley. Guests can take leisurely walk through its organic gardens and stroll through the village and its farmlands.
Experience Benzilan town was once the most important stop of the Ancient Tea and Horse Trail, the trade route that linked Southwest China to India. Songtsam Benzilan can organise guided treks or leisurely strolls through its valleys with beautiful landscapes and visit remote Tibetan villages rich in culture. Activities include learning to make traditional black pottery in the nearby Nixi village, guided visits to Dongzhulin Monastery, and experiencing a night of traditional Tibetan dancing.
Apr-May, Sep-Oct
16°C
DIG
GMT+ 8
Chinese Yuan (CNY)
Location Songstam Benzilan Lodge sits 3 hours from Meili and 2 hours from Shangri-La.
When to go The best travel period to Ringha is April to October, during the summer months. Winter is cold. here is also a big temperature difference between day and night. If you want to experience the most beautiful scenery, April and May is the best time for you to arrive.
Hotel Type
BoutiqueLocation Type
Remote
Discover sides of Asia you never knew existed, revealed by people who know every facet.
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May 04 - 19, May 19, 2025
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