Rooted in the concept of a ‘Tea Merchant’s Mansion,’ Shangri-La Kunming blends the brand’s signature Asian hospitality with Yunnan’s rich local culture, bringing to life the art and joy of Asian hosting…
Designed by the internationally acclaimed AvroKO, Shangri La Kunming draws inspiration from the elegant world of a tea merchant’s private residence, where guests were once welcomed with quiet grace. From the cultural keepsakes displayed in the ‘Secret Garden’ to the lobby installations Woven Mountains and Woven Spring, each element captures Kunming’s poetic scenery and cultural richness.
On the 18th floor, the Horizon Club Lounge is warmed by a red copper fireplace, inviting guests to gather, linger, and savour a cup of tea. Along the corridors, stained-glass windows offer “a view at every step—distinct yet connected”, allowing guests to experience Yunnan’s distinctive charm in the gentle play of light and shadow throughout the day.
The hotel features 75 guestrooms and suites, each with Horizon Club Lounge privileges. The Horizon Executive Room (55 square metres), designed in a palette of verdant greens, brings Kunming’s everlasting “spring” ambience indoors. The Horizon Premier Suite & Horizon 270° City View Suite (72 square metres), showcases a design inspired by Yunnan’s biodiversity, the space weaves in lively imagery, featuring butterflies in flight and birds perched on branches, to create a tranquil, refined residential escape. The Rose Blossom Romantic Suite (120 square metres), inspired by Yunnan roses, details from three-dimensional petal embroidery to a bathtub adorned with blooms set the scene for proposals, honeymoons, and anniversary celebrations.
Image credit: Shangri-La Group
The Shangri La Tea Sanctuary Residence Suite (192 square metres) is rooted in the spirit of tea culture, earth-toned interiors echo the beauty of tea-covered mountains, complemented by rare teas and handcrafted tea ware—bringing together natural vitality and Yunnan’s cultural charm in one private residence.
For families, the hotel also offers thoughtfully created themed stays. The Wildwood Camper Family Themed Suite recreates the tropical splendour of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, with separate rooms for parents and children—designed especially for families with children aged 3 to 8. Features include a bunk bed with a slide, themed toy boxes, and role-play costumes, while rainforest flora-and-fauna murals reveal hidden UV-painted details that spark a sense of discovery. The Questers Family Room continues the journey with learn-through-play activities and a custom Kunming storybook, inviting children to explore, imagine, and learn.
Image credit: Shangri-La Group
Sourced from Yunnan’s most celebrated growing regions, the hotel’s culinary team brings the province’s abundant produce into Shangri La’s dining experiences. SUMA Bar, created by Shangri La Group in collaboration with SG Group, pairs Dian-inspired aesthetics with local storytelling and flavour innovation for a distinctive, destination-led experience. The bar team highlights indigenous Yunnan ingredients across a menu of original pours—from wine crafted with meltwater from Meili Snow Mountains, to artisanal gins infused with rainforest botanicals, and whiskies inspired by the landscapes of Mount Cangshan and Erhai Lake, so each glass feels like a guided tour of Yunnan’s terroir.
At the hotel’s Chinese restaurant, Dian Voyage Yunnan Cuisine, Michelin- and Black Pearl-recognised chefs Liu Xin and Yang Bolin present a new expression of modern Yunnan cuisine. Guided by the principle of Ancient Tea Horse Road hospitality (a tradition of warm welcome and thoughtful hosting) and a “highland small-batch” approach, the team carefully sources distinctive ingredients from lesser-known highland origins, balancing time-honoured flavours with thoughtful innovation and refinement, with the ambition of setting a new benchmark for quality Yunnan cuisine.
Image credit: Shangri-La Group
As a “Tea Merchant’s Mansion,” the hotel places Yunnan tea culture at the heart of the guest experience, welcoming guests in the “Secret Garden” with a seasonal tea to help them unwind after the journey. On the 18th floor, the Horizon Club Lounge hosts Tea Gathering Experiences, where professional tea masters curate personalised tea selections. Guests can also book the Dali Bai Three Course Tea intangible cultural heritage experience, a traditional ceremony that unfolds in three tastes—bitter first, then sweet, followed by a lingering finish.
For relaxation and gatherings, the hotel features an indoor heated pool inspired by tropical rainforest scenery, a 24 hour fitness centre (including a yoga room), and over 2,000 square metres of event space, highlighted by a 1,000 square metre pillar-less grand ballroom for premium meetings, weddings, celebrations, and social occasions.
Main image credit: Shangri-La Group
