Potala Palace Tourism

Type of destination: Historical Site

Ideal visit duration: 2-3 hours

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

Wrote on 25th 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 ..

tsai2009

Wrote on 10th Sep, 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 ..

Tenzinlhasatourguide

Wrote on 27th 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 b..

O5468TSjamesm

Wrote on 28th 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 an..

BobbyGentry

Wrote on 14th 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 ce..

Potala Palace Tourism

Potala Palace Tourism

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