Shangri-La Kunming is proud to unveil SUMA, a bar said to be steeped in the rich biodiversity and cultural diversity of Yunnan.

SUMA will reportedly bring the province’s natural abundance and ethnic traditions to life through a menu of cocktails that are as said to be  "as expressive as they are unexpected".

Opening its doors on 30 April 2025, the bar was developed in collaboration with SG Group, international cocktail trailblazer Shingo Gokan’s bar, restaurant and consultancy company.

Led by Bar Manager Frankie Zou, SUMA - named for "azalea" and "woman" in the Yi language - is an immersive journey into Yunnan. Through thoughtful design, evocative storytelling, and expressive flavors, SUMA's cocktail menu is touted to be a distillation of the region's rich biodiversity, unique foodways, and vibrant minority traditions into an accessible yet deeply layered sensory homage.

Even their menu is physically designed to be tied to Chinese culture! SUMA’s menu is designed in the shape of a rotating fan, with each segment corresponding to a flavour family: Spice, Fruity and Floral, Umami, and Bitter; inviting guests to explore Yunnan’s terroir by their favored flavor.

Each cocktail on the menu is crafted to reveal a distinct facet of the region anchored in local ingredients. Some drinks are drawn directly from everyday flavours, such as the Nanpie Mule, which reimagines a herbaceous dipping sauce used in Dai cuisine.

It blends spice and citrus with fragrant sawtooth herb, layered over Linglie Vodka and the SG KOME Shochu for a crisp, savoury finish.

The Cucumber Salad (Left) and Nanpie Mule (Right).

The Cucumber Salad is a tribute to a beloved Kunming dish, interpreted in cocktail form with Wild Mist Gin, KOKUTO de LEQUIO Yambaru Spiced Rum, cucumber, verjuice, lemongrass, and pineapple. Light, herbaceous, and balanced, it has emerged as a signature serve at SUMA.

Other cocktails elevate longstanding regional traditions. 

The Magic Manhattan (Left) and Tree Tomato Tree (Right).

The Magic Manhattan pays homage to Yunnan’s status as the mushroom capital of China, combining Templeton Rye with a medley of locally foraged mushrooms—matsutake for its deep aroma and jicong for its meat-like texture—layered with orange wine vermouth and green walnut, unfolding with umami complexity.

Tree Tomato Tree is SUMA’s playful tribute to one of Shingo Gokan’s signature cocktails. It is a reimagination of the iconic Tomato Tree with a distinctly Yunnanese twist. Anchored by Jiao-Yu Gin and layered with tamarillo, yellow tomato, and mastiha, this cocktail evokes the fruit, leaf, and sap of a single tree, capturing the essence of Yunnan’s signature produce.

The Dianhong Bubble Tea (Left) and Lemonless Lemon Sour (Right).

There's also a few non-alcoholic options for those that prefer to avoid the booze!

For those with a sweet tooth, the Dianhong Bubble Tea is an alcohol-free cocktail built on black tea, coffee honey, and chai spices with Eisbock milk and real boba.  A homage to everyone's favorite bubble tea through a Yunnanese lens, there's also an option to add Flor de Cana 12-Year Rum!

The Lemonless Lemon Sour recreates the flavour and mouthfeel of citrus without a single drop of lemon juice. Built from the non-alcoholic aperitif Everleaf Forest, it is married with a house-made citrus stock distilled from peels and lemon-scented herbs, becoming a clever twist on your classic sour.

The indoor bar lounge.

Aside from a barrage of new drinks, the venue is also designed by internationally acclaimed studio AvroKO.

It draws inspiration from Austrian-American botanist Joseph Rock’s expeditions through Western China in the early 20th Century, inviting guests to embark on a journey through the region’s diverse landscapes and cultures, echoing a spirit of discovery that
shaped the iconic vision of Shangri-La in Western literature as an imaginary paradise on earth.

The Outdoor Patio.

There is a corridor inspired by the rich heritage of Yunnan’s aboriginal tribes, where guests are surrounded by handwoven textile panels, engraved stonework, and carved wooden detailing that draw from the visual languages of the Yi, Bai, Naxi, Lisu, Jingpo, and Hani cultures. 

The indoor bar lounge features a tented ceiling of patterned fabric, hand-painted floral panels, and woven textures that are said to evoke the landscape traditions and artisanal spirit of Yunnan.

Across the corridor, Spirit Lounge inspired by the mountainous highlands and artisanal weaving traditions of the region with velvet banquettes and antique rug patterns. Outside, the terrace transitions into an outdoor Lounge, featuring an open-air garden with flowering vines, edible herbs, and a central fountain.

Kanpai!

88 Bamboo Editorial Team