Kunming’s newest hotspot, SUMA, has arrived at the Shangri-La Kunming, setting a new standard for Southwest China’s cocktail scene. Created in collaboration with Shingo Gokan’s award-winning SG Group, the bar officially opened on 30 April 2025, ahead of the hotel’s full unveiling later this year.

The name “SUMA” — meaning azalea and woman in the Yi language — captures the bar’s dual spirit of elegance and authenticity. Its cocktail menu draws inspiration from Yunnan’s rich biodiversity, culinary heritage, and minority cultures, transforming hyperlocal ingredients into inventive drinks that tell the region’s untold stories.

Led by Bar Manager Frankie Zou, SUMA’s menu is presented like a rotating fan, grouping cocktails into four flavour families — Spice, Fruity & Floral, Umami, and Bitter. Highlights include:

Nanpie Mule – A herbaceous twist on the Dai dipping sauce, mixing spice, citrus, Linglie Vodka, and SG KOME Shochu.

Cucumber Salad – Inspired by a classic Kunming dish, combining Wild Mist Gin, spiced rum, cucumber, lemongrass, and pineapple.

Dianhong Bubble Tea – An alcohol-free tea-and-boba creation with the option to add Flor de Caña 12-Year Rum.

Yak Butter Fashioned – A smoky, silky homage to the butter tea ritual, blending whisky, MUGI shochu, pu’er tea, and honey.

Magic Manhattan – Infused with locally foraged matsutake and jicong mushrooms for deep umami complexity.

Por Amor – A romantic lychee martini with rose-shaped ice infused with Yunnan’s heirloom roses.

Designed by award-winning studio AvroKO, SUMA’s interiors are a visual journey through Yunnan’s landscapes and traditions, from textile-lined corridors inspired by the region’s ethnic minorities to a lush outdoor terrace perfect for lingering over cocktails.

With its fusion of storytelling, craftsmanship, and design, SUMA is not just a bar — it’s a cultural destination. Whether you’re a cocktail aficionado or a curious traveller, this new opening offers a taste of Yunnan like you’ve never experienced before.

📍 SUMA, Shangri-La Kunming, China
📲 Follow on Instagram: @sumakunming

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Images: Shangri-La Kunming, China