Indoor Bar Lounge | Photo courtesy of Shangri-la, Kunming
Located in Kunming’s First Ring CBD, Suma, meaning ‘azalea’ and ‘woman’ in the Yi language, is the first concept to open under Shangri-La’s dual-brand project in Kunming, offering guests a preview of what to expect when Shangri-La Kunming fully opens in late 2025.
The new bar is developed in collaboration with SG Group, founded by the influential mixologist Shingo Gokan. SG Group is behind some of Asia’s top bars, such as The SG Club in Tokyo, Sober Company in Shanghai, and Gokan in Hong Kong, among others.
“Suma is a reflection of how we imagine our role as a hotel, as a cultural portal for guests from all over the world to experience a side to Yunnan and China as never seen before,” shares Cliff Tan, general manager of Shangri-La Kunming. “From the ingredients to the storytelling, every aspect of SUMA is deeply rooted in local culture, and we hope that every detail would reflect the spirit of Yunnan in a way that resonates with today’s traveller,” he adds.
Some drinks are based on Yunnan’s local dishes and traditions. Nanpie Mule takes cues from a Dai dipping sauce. Yak Butter Fashioned nods to the butter tea ritual in Diqing with whisky, roasted pu’er, and honey. Magic Manhattan honors Yunnan’s title as China’s mushroom capital, using matsutake and jicong mushrooms for a deep, earthy twist with orange wine and green walnut.
Designed by award-winning AvroKO, each room reflects a different part of Yunnan’s rich culture, drawing from the travels of Austrian-American botanist Joseph Rock, whose early expeditions helped introduce the region to the world. There’s a main bar, a spirit lounge, and a garden terrace with pavilion-style seating.
Suma is now open and is located at Shangri-La, Kunming, No. 88 Dongfeng East Road, Panlong District, Kunming, Yunnan, China. Follow @sumakunming on Instagram for updates and visit shangri-la.com more information.
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