Chonor House
Mcleod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh.

Chonor House, a branch of Norbulingka, was designed and built by British architect David Porter in a style intended to blend with the natural environment of the hills overlooking the Kangra valley. The stone and slates were obtained from the surrounding hills and carried by mule to the site which was at that time inaccessible to motor vehicles. The shape and location of the building preserved the large pine & cedar trees which dominate the garden and dining area at the back of the building.

Chonor House is the best place to stay in Mcleod Ganj, conveniently located near the Thekchen Chöling Temple adjacent to HH the Dalai Lama’s residence. Each of our eleven well-appointed rooms is beautifully decorated according to a unique Tibetan theme, with murals featuring regions such as Kham, Amdo and Central Tibet and the flora and fauna of the Land of Snow. These striking wall paintings are complemented by appliquéd fabrics, hand-knotted carpets and carved and decorated wooden furniture, all created by Norbulingka craftsmen.

The building and interior decoration, which involved the work of three different groups of Tibetan painters, and because we wanted all the work to be of the highest quality and integrity we were prepared to be patient in achieving it. Chonor House opened in March 1993.

 

Accommodation

SONGTSEN SUITE Songtsen Suite was named after the renowned thirty-third Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo who brought Buddhism to Tibet. His two wives, a Chinese and a Nepalese princess, were themselves devout Buddhists who brought precious statues of the Buddha to Tibet in their dowries. They also built the Jokhang and Ramoche temples, Lhasa’s two main temples, to house these images. The king introduced the Tibetan alphabet, which continues to be used today and initiated the translation of Buddhist scriptures into Tibetan. This suite contains two adjoining bedrooms– one with a queen bed, and the other with two twins. It is located on the first floor and has an attached balcony.

TREES AND FLOWERS SUITE Despite its rugged terrain, Tibet has a wide variety of plants and flowers. The mountains rise abruptly, resulting in a diversity of ecosystems that range from grasslands and subtropical forests to alpine meadows above the tree line. Meadow wildflowers grow in profusion during the warm summer months and it is rare to hear a nomad speaking about his homeland without him mentioning this beautiful scene. This suite contains two adjoining bedrooms– one with a queen bed, and the other with two twins. It is located on the ground floor and has an attached balcony.

CENTRAL TIBET ROOM Picture Central Tibet is one of the three traditional regions of Tibet, comprising the provinces of U and Tsang, and most of Western Tibet. In many ways, Central Tibet is the cradle of high Tibetan culture. Lhasa, the capital of Tibet is located here, as is the Potala, the residential palace of the Dalai Lama. This superior category room is located on the first floor, and has two twin beds which can be converted into a king. It also has an attached balcony.

AMDO ROOM Amdo is in Northeastern Tibet and stretches from the borders of inner Mongolia to the deserts of what used to be the Silk Road and is now the Gangsu province of China. Amdo is famous for its fast horses, its beautiful grasslands, and its three great monasteries: Kumbum, Labrang, and Kirti. This superior category room is located on the second floor, and has two twin beds which can be converted into a king. It also has an attached balcony.

KHAM ROOM Kham is another of the three historical regions of Tibet. It extends to the borders with Szechuan and Yunnan in China. The landscape of Kham varies widely from high mountains, to lush forests, to great rivers. Traditionally, Kham was know as Chuzhi Gangdruk, or, "four rivers and six ranges." Khampa people are known for both their bravery and gentle natures. This superior category room is located on the second floor, and has two twin beds which can be converted into a king. It also has an attached balcony.

VOYAGE AT SEA ROOM The wall paintings for the Voyage at Sea room were inspired by the Jataka Tales, which recount stories from the former lives of the Buddha. These Indian tales describe the voyages of merchants seeking their fortune at sea. Intent on gathering precious jewels, they braved the dangers posed by sea monsters and other vile creatures, nagas, storms and enchanted islands. This superior category room is located on the first floor, and has two twin beds which can be converted into a king. It also has an attached balcony.

BIRDS OF TIBET ROOM Tibet lies along major migration routes for birds. More than 480 species have been sighted in Tibet. Of these only 30 or so live in Tibet full time. Among the birds seen in Tibet are swans, partridges, pheasants, grebes and snow cocks. The black-necked crane, featured on these murals, is revered as a spiritual being by many Tibetans, and inhabits remote areas up to 16,000 feet. This superior category room is located on the second floor, and has two twin beds which can be converted into a king. It also has an attached balcony, and one of the best views at Chonor.

NOMAD ROOM Nomads can be found in all parts of Tibet, but especially on the Northern plains. Nomads herd mostly yaks and sheep, and depend on these animals in every aspect of their lives from food to clothing, to the huge tents they weave out of swaths of yak hair. This superior category room is located on the first floor, and has two twin beds which can be converted into a king. It also has an attached balcony, and one of the nicest views in Chonor.

MYTHICAL CREATURES ROOM Tibet is a land that captures the imagination, with its vast landscape and exotic creature. Here, everyday speech is filled with folktales, and magic is not so out of the ordinary. The four most beloved creatures-- the dragon, the snow lion, the tiger, and the garuda-- form a quartet representing each of the elements, and are often found adorning Tibetan furniture and paintings. This superior category room is located on the second floor, and has one queen bed. It also has an attached balcony.

WILD ANIMALS ROOM Because of its diverse and extreme climates, Tibet is home to a number of rare and interesting animals. Buddhism encourages developing love for all beings, and so Tibetans look upon many animals that inhabit the Tibetan Plateau with affection. It is even said that in the old days many animals had no fear of humans. The Swedish explorer Sven Hedin wrote in the early 20th century, "The wild animals do not sense that man is their enemy." These murals feature the giant panda, as well as the tiger and the rare Tibetan antelope. This superior category room is located on the second floor, and has one queen bed. It also has an attached balcony.

LHAMO OPERA ROOM Tibetan opera originated with the 11th century saint, Thangton Gyalpo, who organized villagers into dance troupes to raise funds for building chain bridges. Later, opera troupes could be found all over Tibet. The most famous were patronized by the Tibetan government and the aristocracy and performed for the Dalai Lama and the people of Lhasa in the gardens of the Norbulingka. This premium category room is located on the ground floor, and has two twin beds which can be converted into a king. It also has a private door opening onto a terraced garden.

LUNGTA ONE Lungta literally means "wind horse," but it is also the Tibetan word for prayer flag. Tibetans believe that as the wind blows and moves the flags, the prayers printed on the flags are carried on the breeze and spread to all beings. This is why many times prayer flags can be seen hung in high places, so that the most possible beings can be benefited. This premium category room is located on the second floor, and has two twin beds which can be converted into a king. It also has an attached balcony.

LUNGTA TWO Lungta literally means "wind horse," but it is also the Tibetan word for prayer flag. Tibetans believe that as the wind blows and moves the flags, the prayers printed on the flags are carried on the breeze and spread to all beings. This is why many times prayer flags can be seen hung in high places, so that the most possible beings can be benefited. This premium category room is located on the second floor, and has two twin beds which can be converted into a king. It also has an attached balcony.

 

 

Facilities

Cyber Yak cum Library - E-mail and internet access with wireless facilities are available in the Cyber Yak, on your right as you step out of the restaurant. We also have a comprehensive selection of books and videos on Tibetan subjects.

Luxury Cars - we can offer comfortable A/c cars with Tibetan drivers who speak English, Hindi and Tibetan to take you wherever you want to go.

Travel Desk - we can arrange ticketing for international & domestic flights, as well as trains and provide a reliable pickup service.

Dzipak Lounge - the lounge takes its name from room length silk Roman curtain that displays a forbidding Dzipak spitting jewels and flanked by the eight auspicious symbols. The curtain is a fine example of the appliqué method used both for making thangkas and decorating ornamental picnic tents. The lounge can be hired for meetings and other functions.

Gift Shop - Chonor Designs brings you the best of Norling Arts creations - open every day, except Monday, 9 am to 9 pm

 
   
Tele : +91-11-41612107, 26823836. Mobile: 9810002772, 9910002772.