Niru Village, nestled in the heart of the "Three Parallel Rivers" World Natural Heritage site, is an ancient Tibetan village hidden deep within the folds of the Hengduan Mountains. It has been hailed as the "World's Premier Village" by United Nations experts. As a hidden gem deep in Shangri-La, Niru links the sacred snow-capped mountains of Daocheng Yading to the scenic lakes and mountains of Pudacuo National Park, and extends east to the mysterious ambiance of Lugu Lake in Ninglang, Lijiang. The ARRO KHANPA - NYEZUR, situated at the heart of this hidden paradise, aspires to create an ideal space for every hiker to relax both physically and mentally. Without seeking, one can behold the most pristine grandeur of nature at a glance, and close their eyes to experience the purest tranquility within. In this breathtaking tapestry, Niru resembles a hidden pearl.The ARRO KHANPA - NYEZUR, quietly nestled in the heart of this hidden paradise, once carried the stories of the past and now embraces a new opportunity for architectural transformation.
Traditional architecture in Niru Village embodies the wisdom of adapting to nature and transforming life. The residential houses, with pine as the framework and earth and stone as the walls, feature a three-story structure. The first and second floors are enclosed by rammed earth walls and wooden frames, forming the main structure. The third floor, with a wooden "stool frame" double-pitched roof structure, is primarily used to protect the main structure from rain and snow erosion and to store various miscellaneous items. The buildings serve multiple functions, including livestock breeding, living, and storage. Meanwhile, villagers follow the seasons, residing between houses, fields, and alpine pastures "according to the changing times." This semi-agricultural and semi-pastoral lifestyle mirrors the harmony between architecture and nature, showcasing the local wisdom of dynamic symbiosis with nature in both life and production.
The predecessor of the ARRO KHANPA - NYEZUR was a traditional local residential building, featuring a typical traditional structural form that blends local traditions with the traces of time. Its layout and construction bear the unique imprint of the region, embodying the wisdom of local residents and serving as a material carrier of Niru's historical and cultural heritage. At the beginning of the renovation, we delved into its past, studying the historical context and cultural significance of the building. We extracted the essence from traditional architectural elements, such as the unique local wood construction techniques and rustic stone masonry techniques, which will become the foundation of the unique character of the newly renovated building.
The natural ecology of Niru is its most precious treasure. The renovation adheres to the concept of ecological symbiosis, striving to minimize the impact of the building on the environment. Old wood and stone materials dismantled from local abandoned houses are selected to reduce transportation energy consumption and carbon emissions. In terms of building layout, based on the natural terrain and wind direction of the site, space planning is optimized to enhance natural ventilation and lighting effects, reducing energy consumption. At the same time, ecological landscape design is introduced, using local plants to create courtyards, creating an ecological micro-environment that echoes the surrounding snow mountains, forests, and streams, making the manor an organic part of nature.
In terms of the overall courtyard layout, we have adjusted the landscape design while retaining a certain degree of operational flexibility. Given that Niru Village is a hiking destination and hiking has increasingly become a lifestyle and social activity, we have reserved leisure lawns to accommodate more events. This makes the entire courtyard inclusive and multi-functional, allowing travelers to rest, interact, and better integrate into the local cultural life.Meanwhile, courtyards in Tibetan villages have never been enclosed by high walls. Instead, they feature an open character. Courtyard walls mainly serve to keep livestock out and mark boundaries. It is common for neighbors to communicate across low walls made of rammed earth or local stone. Such low walls maintain a harmonious relationship between the village, the courtyards, and the surrounding environment without rigid separation. We have preserved this traditional courtyard relationship to continue its open and integrated spirit.Notably, during construction, we rebuilt an old, structurally unstable house into the current reception hall. We also added a woodworking workshop as a space for travelers to learn about Niru’s local architectural culture. At this moment, people, rural culture, and nature are truly integrated.
In terms of appearance, we have preserved the sloped roof form and traditional material language of the local architecture, while appropriately adjusting proportions and scales to better align with modern aesthetics and functional needs.On the basis of retaining the original main structure, we completely reconstructed the original “dengjia” double-sloped roof structure on the third floor. This respects the traditional material system while increasing the building’s indoor area. The third-floor roof is covered with traditional local fir tiles, which ensure waterproof performance and add a simple, antique charm.The building facade combines traditional wooden structures with modern glass. The wooden framework expresses local characteristics, while the glass brings in ample natural light and offers excellent views, turning the snow-capped mountains and forests into a natural picture indoors.The facades facing the central courtyard on the first and second floors are fully open. We have also preserved the painted wooden frames on the building elevations, allowing hiking travelers to better appreciate the courtyard landscape.
We have carefully refined the layout of the guest rooms to ensure privacy while rationally optimizing spatial scale and enhancing comfort.Local arts such as Niru embroidery and Thangka are integrated into the wall decorations, allowing guests to deeply experience the charm of regional culture during their stay.
On the first floor, we expanded the dining area and adopted an open layout, enabling guests to enjoy outdoor views while dining. The kitchen workflow has been optimized to improve service efficiency.On the second and third floors, we added functional spaces including leisure reading corners and viewing terraces.
Nestled in the secluded wonderland of Shangri‑La surrounded by snow‑capped mountains, we have designed a boutique retreat that goes beyond mere accommodation – it is a gateway to Tibetan culture and natural spirituality.As a renewal of an old Tibetan house along the ancient Rock Route, we have preserved the essence of the local timber and stone construction, while integrating modern design. Textured finishes complement the wooden structures, and the windows frame the snow‑mountains and forests as living indoor paintings.We have retained a courtyard lawn and built a woodworking workshop, allowing the architecture to grow in harmony with nature, blending humanity and ecology. We hope it will be loved by those hiking in and traveling to Pudacuo.
ARRO KHANPA means “Come on, friend” in Tibetan. It aims to connect travelers, scenery, and local culture through this unique space.Zhabag Dain, the founder, is a legendary Khampa man. His ancestral home is Shangri‑La, and he was born in India. In his youth, he became a lama and practiced for seven years. Zhabag’s father was a Ladu (horse caravan leader) on the Ancient Tea Horse Road, who often told him stories about his hometown and the caravan route during his childhood.In 1997, Zhabag established Shangri‑La’s first ecotourism company: Khampa 商道探险旅行社 (Khampa Caravan Adventure Travel Service). In 2006, he founded the Shangri‑La Association for the Inheritance and Preservation of Ethnic Cultural Diversity, dedicated to the inheritance and protection of ethnic culture.The association set up a Thangka Center, providing free accommodation and education to underprivileged students, allowing them to systematically study Tibetan culture, Thangka painting, as well as three languages: Tibetan, Chinese, and English.The founder’s diverse background and the distinctive character of the region have also become the inspirational source for the various fusion-style soft furnishing elements in the project..
After completion, the project won the First Prize of the Jiangsu Civil Engineering and Architectural Society and the Third Prize for Science and Technology (Architectural Design), as well as the Third Prize in Yunnan’s “Excellent Villages” Design Competition. This to some extent proves that the design has successfully preserved the style and features of the traditional dwellings in Tibetan villages.This place is far more than just a guest room; it is a living ethnic experience center. Gathering around the bonfire to perform the Guozhuang dance, the flames shine upon sincere smiling faces. Hearts connect without the need for words.