The Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa has opened in the administrative centre of Tibet, located on a plateau which is 3,650m (11,975ft) above sea level in the Himalayas.

Encircled by mountains, glaciers and desert-like landscape, the 262-bedroom and 17-suite hotel features a 1,213sq m (13,056sq ft) CHI spa with 10 treatment rooms – three of which are double.

The spa’s skincare products come from German company Biodroga, Pranarom of France and locally-sourced products are also used to enhance the spa experience.

The high altitude of the spa means that, for safety reasons, thermal facilities do not include a sauna - but there is a steamroom, whirlpool and 25m (82ft) indoor swimming pool.

At sea level, a glass-walled oxygen lounge allows visitors to acclimatise to the altitude. They can breathe comfortably in this lounge and then head to the reflexology pavillion for therapies.

“It is extremely important wherever we operate hotels that we embrace the local community and culture. Our hotels reflect this authentically in both their design and offerings,” said Ester Marcaida, general manager of Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa.

The hotel was designed by Chao Tse Ann & Partners and the interior design was managed by LTW Designworks. Visual highlights inside the hotel include six illuminated Tibetan drums, measuring 1.5m (4.9ft) in diameter, which line the corridor leading to the Shangri-La’s signature Chinese restaurant – Shang Palace. Additionally, a 6.5m (21.3ft) bell-like chandelier – made from 61,000 pieces of crystal and draped in red fabric – reminiscent of a Tibetan prayer wheel greets visitors in the lobby.

Culturally significant Buddhist sites, including the UNESCO World Heritage Site Potala Palace – the traditional residence of the Dalai Lama – and Tibet’s holy lakes are within walking distance from the hotel.

Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts currently owns more than 80 hotels under the Shangri-La brand with a room inventory of over 34,000.