Potala Palace

Overview

The Potala Palace is the towering symbol of Tibetan Buddhism and the historic seat of the Dalai Lamas. Rising 117 meters above Marpo Ri (Red Hill) in the heart of Lhasa, this 13-storey fortress-palace contains over 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines, and roughly 200,000 statues. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994, it remains one of the highest ancient buildings in the world at 3,700 meters elevation.

Highlights

• White Palace & Red Palace: The White Palace served as the administrative headquarters and living quarters, while the Red Palace houses the most sacred chapels and the gilded stupas of eight Dalai Lamas.
• Tomb of the 5th Dalai Lama: The most magnificent stupa in the palace, standing nearly 15 meters tall and covered in 3,721 kilograms of gold.
• Rooftop Views: From the golden rooftops, visitors are rewarded with sweeping panoramas across the Lhasa Valley to the Himalayan foothills.

History

Construction began in 637 CE under King Songtsen Gampo, though the current structure largely dates to 1645 when the 5th Dalai Lama ordered a massive expansion. It served as the combined seat of government and winter residence until 1959, when the 14th Dalai Lama departed for exile in India.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Daily visitor numbers are strictly limited — book tickets at least a day in advance through the official website or at the booking office.
• Tip 2: Acclimatize to the altitude for at least 1–2 days before tackling the steep staircases inside.
• Duration: 2.5–3 hours.