High in the Himalayas, Lhasa, the capital of southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, has quietly become one of the country's most caffeinated cities, signaling a fresh business wave in this ancient cultural hub.
With more than 800 coffee shops now serving a population of under one million, the city hosts roughly one cafe for every 1,200 residents, giving it one of the highest cafe densities in the country.
But this is not simply a transplant of Western coffee culture. On Barkhor Street in Lhasa's old town, a historic Buddhist pilgrimage circuit, baristas are stirring centuries-old yak cheese into espresso -- a blend that mirrors the city's transformation from a spiritual center into a modern regional hub.
"We have got this great Xizang-style vibe. There are plenty of cafes in Lhasa, but we are special. Locals -- even 80-year-olds -- come here for Americanos. Plus, lots of tourists, including foreigners, come just to check us out," the owner of Senxia Coffee, a local hotspot, said, revealing the secret behind his cafe's pull.
That dedication to innovation and presenting Xizang's culture through every cup have earned the shop a loyal following.
"I make a trip here once a year. It is my fourth year coming. The taste never changes, but they always have a new special to try -- and it is always great!" said a tourist from the eastern municipality Tianjin.
"It's very unique, I like it a lot. It's good coffee and it's a very nice place. The courtyard here is different than a courtyard in Germany would be," a German tourist offered similar praise.
In 2025, Lhasa's GDP crossed the 100-billion-yuan (about 14.7 billion US dollars) mark creating fertile ground for entrepreneurs, who found coffee as a light-asset business easy to start with -- small footprint, fast setup, easy to brand.
Amid intense competitions, businesses loyal to their hometown and home culture wins, Senxia's owner said.
"There are tons of entrepreneurs here. Local college grads are coming back to start businesses, and friends from inland are moving here to do the same. So the competition is actually fierce. With so many cafes around, we feel pretty lucky to have made it, and we have definitely got our own unique vibe," he said.
Lahsa sees booming coffee scene infused with local culture
Lahsa sees booming coffee scene infused with local culture
Lebanese health officials said 14 people were killed on Tuesday in Israeli airstrikes on Deir Qanoun al-Nahr in southern Lebanon, and shelling also destroyed a key health center in the town of Maashouq.
The attacks came despite a 45-day ceasefire extension announced by the U.S. State Department on May 16, worsening the humanitarian crisis amid rising casualties and displacement.
"We have a station here. We heard about the airstrike and immediately began working to evacuate the wounded and the martyrs. Today, we came to continue searching for the missing. There are two or three people still missing. Most of the casualties here are five children and three women. There are many body parts, and their families will identify them through DNA testing," said Ali al-Abd, a paramedic with the Islamic Health Organization.
"The airstrike hit, and we felt as if we were thrown from our seats by its force. My home isn't far from here, and we were here at 12:16. At 12:36, they carried the martyrs out in black bags. It was a scene beyond description, and it violated all international, humanitarian, and ethical norms," said Hassan Hariri, a resident of Deir Qanoun al-Nahr.
In Maashouq, Israeli strikes destroyed the Imam Khomeini Medical Center after an evacuation warning. Israel claimed the facility was being used by Hezbollah, but residents described the attack as a devastating blow to their community.
"This strike has broken us all, without distinction. This center provided treatments, medications, MRI scans, and X-rays, and today, we truly feel the loss caused by this strike. Where will we get medical care now? Everyone knows that hospitals are expensive, and this center served us for free. I hope it will be rebuilt as soon as possible," said Hussein Badran, a resident of Maashouq.
"The Imam Khomeini Center in the Maashouq area is one of the primary healthcare centers in the Ministry of Health's network of centers. It is supported by the Ministry and the International Red Cross. This center is the largest healthcare facility in the region because it is densely populated and impoverished," said Dr. Fadi al-Atrash working at the center.
According to the Lebanon's Ministry of Health, since the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah reignited in early March this year, more than 3,000 people have been killed and over 9,000 wounded. More than one million have been displaced, and tens of thousands of homes destroyed across the country.
Israeli strikes kill 14 in southern Lebanon despite ceasefire
