The Potala Palace The Highest Ancient

Palace
High on Moburi ('Red Hill'), in central Lhasa, stands the world famous Potala Palace. It was built as
the center of Tibetan government by the fifth Dalai Lama in 1645.
This amazing palace has the honor of being the highest ancient palace in the world, with its
highest point reaching 3,750 meters (12,300 feet) above sea level, towering 100 meters (300 feet)
above the city of Lhasa. This 13-stories-high palace has over 1,000 rooms, and covers over 13
hectares (32 acres). The stone walls measure 3 meters (10 feet) thick on average.
Chinese: Bdl Gng /boo-daa-laa gong/
Location: central Lhasa, 2 km north of the Lhasa river, 5 km south of Sera Monastery, 3 km
east of Norbulingka, and 2 km west of Jokhang Temple
Altitude: 3,750 m (12,300 ft)
Built: from 1645
Tour time: 1 hour in the peak season; 2 hours in the low season

World Wonder and Pilgrimage Site

The Potala Palace

The Potala Palace has stood for centuries as a testament to the Tibetan people and their beliefs.
Thousands of pilgrims from around the world come every year to pay homage to this grand estate
and the symbol it stands for.
Considered to be one of the wonders of the world for its physical structure and its importance in
Tibetan history, the Potala Palace is admired by all who visit.

Highlights
The general structure of the Potala Palace is in two parts: the Red Palace and the White Palace. The
beautiful murals inside the palace are not only attractive, but also tell the story of Tibet. The golden
roof group on the top of the Red Palace is worth seeing.

The Red Palace

The Red Palace

The Red Palace is the higher of the two palaces, and is made up of several chapels. Used as a house
of prayer by the Dalai Lama, this part of the Potala Palace was dedicated to the study of Buddhism
and the advancement of the religion.
Housed within the Red Palace are several mausoleums of previous Dalai Lamas. Each mausoleum
is built with stateliness and honor in mind. The mausoleum of the fifth Dalai Lama (the Potala's
patron), located in the west of the palace stands five stories high, is overlaid with gold, diamonds,
pearls, and many other precious gems, and expresses the high honor the people had for this
Buddhist saint.

The White Palace

The White Palace was home to ten successive Dalai Lamas and their courts. Also located there are
the offices of the Tibetan government, governmental assembly halls, and other official offices.

The White Palace

The original White Palace was built as a present from King Songtsan Gampo to his bride-to-be in
637, but destroyed during the ninth century. The fifth Dalai Lama built the current one on its site,
and therefore, this structure pays homage to him in greater measure than previous Dalai Lamas or
those that would follow.
After Norbulingka was built in 1755, it became the summer residence of the Dalai Lama, and the
White Palace became known as the winter estate of this saint of Buddhism.

Inside the Potala Palace

Housed within this amazing stone and wood structure are articles and artifacts from Tibetan
history, religion, and culture. Statues of Buddha, murals, and antiques that are centuries old, and
incredible works of art grace every area of this mountaintop palace.
The elaborate works of art and murals tell many stories of the Dalai Lamas and the history of the
Tibetan people, and depict different customs and traditions held dear in this beautiful part of the
world.
One area of particular importance is the wall frescoes that depict the life and works of the fifth
Dalai Lama. Other precious works of art include ornate statues, sculptures, and Tibetan paintings.
Of all the ornate decorations located within these sacred walls, visitors should take time to visit the
topmost hall. Called Sasong Langjie, this hall was built in 1679 and contains a portrait of the Qing
Emperor Qianlong. An inscription on this portrait A long, long life to the present emperor is
written in the languages of Han, Manchu, Mongol, and Tibetan. It is here that Dalai Lamas have
come to pay homage every Tibetan New Year's Day for centuries as they pray for guidance and
direction for the Tibetan people.

The Golden Roof Group

Golden Roof
The golden roof group is a unique view of the Potala Palace. It's on the top of the Red Palace,
composed of seven roofs made of gilded bronze. They are the tops of the holy stupas of the Dalai
Lamas. Every golden roof is decorated with one to five flower-and-bell-shaped spires, which serve
as lightning conductors. If you step out on the palace roof, you can see the blue sky and white cloud
above your head and overlook the city.

Best Photo Sites

To see the Potala Palace from afar is the best way to appreciate the panorama of this spectacular
building. The roof of Jokhang Temple (east of the palace) and Chakpori (southwest of the palace)
are the best sites. Our guides know the best places to take beautiful photos. Visiting Tips

To make your trip to the Potala Palace a fabulous one, please consider the
following:

The Potala Palace at night

Entry tickets are hard to get. The Potala Palace is a protected site. For this reason, the government
has limited the number of visitors allowed up the mountain each day. Tickets sell quickly, so it is
best to book in advance.
Only 1-hour visits are permitted in high season. Once inside, visitors are allowed approximately
1 hour to visit the site before being asked to leave, so that many more people can enjoy the beauty
of this wondrous site.
Research well beforehand. Before you enter the Potala Palace, get some knowledge about it or you
won't understand what the guide is talking about.
Climbing steps at high altitude requires good physical condition. There is no lift up to the palace
or inside, so visitors reach the top by climbing steps up 100 meters (300 feet). Go slowly and enjoy
the view to avoid altitude sickness or other discomfort.
Dress respectfully and for the coolness. Modest clothing is encouraged, as this is a sacred site.
Hats are not allowed. Bring a coat, because it's quite cool inside the Potala Palace.
No photos! Photography, video equipment, and other recording devices are not allowed, due to the
sacred nature of the site and the relics held within the sacred walls.
Security check: To ensure a safe and secure environment security checkpoints are set up to remove
prohibited items from visitors. Please refrain from bringing weapons, flammable liquids, cameras,
and other prohibited items to the site. Don't bring any liquid, including water, inside the palace as
well as the museum. And don't take anything from the palace.