The award-winning luxury hotel group, Songtsam Hotels Resorts Tours in Tibet and Yunnan Provinces of China, and the world renown Leica Akademie announced the official opening of the new Leica Cafe at the Songtsam Lodge Lhasa in Tibet. This initiative represents a continuation of the creative partnership between Songtsam and Leica.  

Songtsam Founder & Chairman, Baima Duoji, originally a documentary filmmaker himself, said

“One of the best ways to learn about Tibetan culture and explore the amazing natural beauty of Tibet and Yunnan, is through a camera lens. We are proud to continue our partnership with Leica to provide such a unique space for photographers, as well as non-photographers, to enjoy Leica Cafe’s unique collection of historic photographs as well as antique Leica cameras, and to provide photography buffs an opportunity to learn from Leica Akademie’s Master Photographers.” 

About Leica Cafe at Songtsam Lodge Lhasa

The Leica Cafe is a photography enthusiast’s biggest dream and a great introduction and starting point to  explore Tibet. This is the world’s first Leica collaboration space and boasts albums full of breathtaking photographs, vintage and antique Leica cameras, and unique historical images with remarkable stories behind them. For Leica and Songtsam this image space is unlike any other. The Leica Cafe is located in the foyer of the Songtsam Lodge Lhasa, a Tibetan-style building which integrates the architectural styles of palaces, temples, aristocratic residences and gardens.

In the lobby where the window ribs, floor and wall skirts are all wrapped in solid wood, the crystal chandeliers imported from Turkey illuminate the historical past of the Yunnan-Tibet Plateau with a soft golden light: hundreds of century-old photos from the National Geographic Society gently lean against the wall, eager to tell their stories.

Precious Leica models like the Leica Minilux, which is limited to 200 units worldwide can be found in the cafe as well as a feast for the senses, with a menu full of locally produced beverages including Songtsam's exclusive drink of saffron latte, Lhasa sweet tea, and Yak milk latte. In addition, every month the Cafe will hold photography lectures hosted by Leica’s master photographers as well as image sharing activities. This will allow photography buffs a unique opportunity to learn from professionals how to apply these skills in the real world.