Zhang Min: Soul in Songtsam

For many years, Shangri-La has attracted streams of visitors from around the world with its idyllic, ancient and peaceful beauty. But few stay as long as Zhang Min, who has lived there for 12 years.

“This place is like another world, with the unique air and beauty that I can’t describe with earthly words,” thought Zhang when she first set foot in the county. Her soul finally felt at home the moment she entered Songtsam Hotel, which seemed like the building of her dreams.

In 2005, Zhang, a native of Kunming, Yunnan Province, quit her job at a high-end modern hotel and relocated to Shangri-La to work with the locals employed by Songtsam Hotel, a Tibetan-style lodge. Since then, she has been committed to making the hotel a warm, comfortable home-away-from-home for her guests.

Today, Songtsam has grown bigger and warmer, with new lodges under its brand name erected in other areas of Shangri-La. A witness of the hotel’s progress, Zhang Min has grown alongside it and become more graceful, charming, self-confident, and calm.

She feels lucky to be able to hear sutra chanting from the monastery nearby, bathe in the light of Buddha and build trust with her colleagues and guests. She is deeply impressed by the unique culture and Lamaism in the area, which tend to make living and working easier, as per Zhang.

“Everything around me is different,” Zhang explains. “I have learned about how Lamaism affects people here--they are open and easy to get along with, and they care for each other.” She takes her work seriously and endeavors to make every coworker and guest from a noisy metropolis feel like at home.

Zhang Min oversees human resources. It shouldn’t be easy to find so many local people who share her ideals. “It’s fate,” she grins. “I want to be kind to everyone around me.” Every employee considers her a friend. When they have problems, they go to her. In guests’ eyes, she is a charming young lady with a profound understanding of life.

Zhang Min is pursuing her dream and feels she made the right choice. If its founder Baima Dorji gave Songtsam its quality, it was Zhang who created sweet memories in the hotel. “This place renewed my understanding of Tibetan culture,” she admits. “Baima is the heart of Songtsam. Each employee is like a little spark, coming together in a joint effort to serve as messengers of Tibetan culture. Together, they light the path to Shangri-La.”