23/02/2024
The founder of Arro Khampa, Dakpa Kelden , is a legendary Khampa, born in India, Dakpa’s father, Ladho , a horse-chaser, often told him stories about Shangri-La and the Tea Horse Road when he was a child.
"Father often tells his beloved home stories, the grasslands, snowy mountains and yaks in our hometown. "In 1987, when Dakpa was 16, his father took him back to Shangri-La. "I was only 17 years old when I was studying Chinese in the first grade. I have to spend a lot more time and energy than others to learn, to adapt. Dakpa is now fluent in English, Chinese, Tibetan, Indian and other nation.
Dakpa has been visiting tourists from all over the world since 1995. In 1997, he went to Austria, the United States to study, after returning from school to set up the Khampa Caravan travel agency.
In 2007, It took Dakpa more than 40 days to re-take the tea horse road. "The tea horse ancient road is the longest and most risky business road on earth, feel their father risked nine lives all year round to and from the ancient road, reverence and gratitude. "
Because of the father's influence，the idea of building a hotel re-emerged in his mind. Dakpa decided to build a boutique hotel that suited his ideals, and although the days of the tea-horse road were over, he hoped that visitors who came to the area would come on the distinction and have a relatively comfortable resting place, while during his stay, he could learn about the different aspects of local culture, art and religion and so on.
So there's Arro khampa and Dakpa draws light and comfort into the modern hotel, retaining the rustic style of the old town of Stone Castle. "In the past, a lot of people stayed in Shangri-La for a short time, thinking it wasn't interesting, but it was only through 'experience' and not just 'sightseeing' that we could learn about the real Tibetan culture. Dakpa said.
Dakpa also established the Thangka Center in the Shangri-La Association for the Heritage and Protection of Local Cultural Diversity, which provides free accommodation and learning opportunities for poor students to learn About Tibetan culture, Tangka painting, and Tibetan, Chinese and English. Visitors here can also experience the Thangka culture.
Dakpa ideal is to follow the path his father once trekked, in each town on the ancient road of the tea horse to build a "Netsang" (meaning the Inn on the ancient road of the tea horse). "Once upon a time, the horse group arrived, 'Netsang' master will be served hot tea, dance together to drink wine, with a warm bed to unload a day of Lawton, avalanches, bandits let them like relatives as close trust.
