Potala Palace Tourism

Historical Site5.0(2,508 reviews)

About Potala Palace

The Potala Palace, located in Lhasa, the capital city of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, stands as an emblem of Tibetan Buddhism and its central role in the traditional administration of Tibet. Constructed in the 17th century, it served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas until the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India. The palace is named after Mount Potalaka, the mythical abode of Chenresig or Avalokitesvara. An architectural marvel, the Potala Palace is perched atop Marpo Ri hill, 130 meters above the Lhasa valley, and rises a further 170 meters, symbolically uniting heaven and earth. The complex comprises the White Palace, which once housed the administrative offices and the living quarters of the Dalai Lama, and the Red Palace, dedicated to religious study and prayer. It encompasses a treasure trove of Tibetan history and culture, with its intricate murals, statues, and tombs of past Dalai Lamas. This palace is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, revered as a masterpiece of Tibetan art and architecture, and remains a pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists and a popular tourist attraction.

Top 5 Reviews on Potala Palace

891JonN
5.0
Wrote on 25 Apr 2024
Amazing place to visit in Lhasa
An UNESCO site in the heart of Lhasa. There’s quite some steps to climb to get to the chambers of the past Lamas and the monastery. Take it slow since you are at above 3,600m elevation. It’s huge and interesting place to visit where you can witness very old statues and past Lamas living areas. At the top, you can also have a good view of Lhasa city with snow cap mountains behind. Definitely worth the visit
tsai2009
5.0
Wrote on 10 Sept 2023
Everyone goes
as a world known Tibetan buddhist leader, everyone wants to see this fascinated palace he lived in, wondering how it consist 999 rooms on top of a plateau where you can see this palace once you enter Lhasa. Followers are still circling it as he never left.
Tenzinlhasatourguide
5.0
Wrote on 27 Aug 2023
imaginal of the Potala palace and enjoyable sightseeing
Reach at Lhasa, in every tourism imaginal that first visit place is Potala palace.Because the potala is a iconic Tibetans spiritual heart and culture site.also a Tibetan characteristic architecture building ,
O5468TSjamesm
5.0
Wrote on 28 Jun 2023
Impressive Palace
Potala Palace is beautiful and very different architect as compare to many other palace around the world. Important thing, it is still alive, locals are keep coming to offering white greeting scarf and perfectly maintained. Unfortunately we can not spend more than an hour but it is not bad, you can have enough time to explore in an hour.
BobbyGentry
5.0
Wrote on 14 Apr 2023
Potala Palace
Exterior photos of Potala Palace. No photos permitted inside. Blurb from the welcome: “A Brief Introduction to the Potala Palace The Potala Palace was built at the time of Songtsan Gampo in the 7th century. In the 17th century, the 5th Dalai Lama extended the palace to its present size. At this time it also succeed in becoming the residence, the main political and religious palace of the Dalai Lama. The main palace was divided into two sections: the white palace and the red palace. It is 115.7 meters high with thirteen stories, including living quarters, temples, tomb stupas and monk dormitories. The countless cultural relics in the palace are images, murals, sutras, etc, which of incredible value.”