Potala Palace
Potala Palace things to do, attractions, restaurants, events info and trip planning
Learn more insights from Wanderboat AIDescription
cultural
family friendly
accessibility
The Potala Palace is a dzong fortress in Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region in China. It was the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas from 1649 to 1959, has been a museum since then, and a World Heritage Site since 1994.
attractions: Monument to the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet, Lukhang, restaurants: 牦牛酸奶坊, Potala Palace Chaobai Zhezang Restaurant, Potala Palace No.7, Jinglaishun, Xueshengong Tibetan Style Restaurant, Holy Land Vegetarian Restaurant, Sunny Shell Restaurant, Restaurant Flavour
Ratings
Description
The Potala Palace is a dzong fortress in Lhasa, capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region in China. It was the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas from 1649 to 1959, has been a museum since then, and a World Heritage Site since 1994.
Plan your stay
&promo_pic=/one-page/coolest.jpg)
Posts
The Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, is a truly iconic and breathtaking landmark that stands as a symbol of Tibetan culture, spirituality, and architectural brilliance. As a Google Local Guide, I highly recommend visiting this awe-inspiring site, which offers a profound and unforgettable experience. The Potala Palace is not just an architectural marvel but a sacred site steeped in Tibetan Buddhism. Serving as the winter residence of the Dalai Lama until 1959, it holds immense historical and religious importance. The palace is filled with chapels, statues, and relics that tell the story of Tibet’s spiritual heritage. Walking through the corridors and chambers, you can feel the deep sense of reverence and tranquility that permeates the entire complex. Perched atop Marpo Ri (Red Mountain) at an altitude of 3,700 meters, the Potala Palace is a stunning example of traditional Tibetan architecture. The palace complex is divided into the White Palace, which served as the administrative quarters, and the Red Palace, which is dedicated to religious study and prayer. The intricate woodwork, vibrant murals, and gilded roofs are a testament to the craftsmanship and devotion of those who built it. The sheer scale and grandeur of the palace are awe-inspiring, making it a must-see for anyone interested in history and architecture. The Potala Palace offers some of the most spectacular views in Lhasa. From the top, you can see the entire city, the surrounding mountains, and the Lhasa River. The contrast between the bright blue sky, the whitewashed walls of the palace, and the lush green landscape below creates a picture-perfect scene that will stay with you long after your visit. Exploring the Potala Palace is like stepping back in time. The palace houses countless treasures, including ancient manuscripts, religious artifacts, and priceless works of art. Each room and hall has its own unique story, offering a glimpse into the life and times of Tibet’s spiritual leaders. The sense of history is palpable, and it’s impossible not to be moved by the rich cultural legacy preserved within these walls. Despite its remote location, the Potala Palace is surprisingly accessible, with well-organized tours available for visitors. It’s important to note that due to the high altitude, some visitors may experience altitude sickness, so it’s advisable to take it slow and allow time to acclimatize. The palace can get crowded, especially during peak tourist season, so booking tickets in advance is recommended. The staff and guides are knowledgeable and helpful, ensuring that your visit is both informative and enjoyable. Visiting the Potala Palace is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that leaves a lasting impression. It’s a place where history, spirituality, and natural beauty converge to create a truly unique and inspiring destination. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a spiritual seeker, or simply someone who appreciates incredible architecture and breathtaking views, the Potala Palace is a must-visit. It stands as a testament to the resilience, faith, and creativity of the Tibetan people, and its grandeur is something that every traveler should experience firsthand. Highly recommended!
JacobJacob
00
If you go to Lhasa , then you can't miss the Potala Palace. A marvelous construction right in the middle of the city. All the reviews that you read don't describe the experience to be there. Consider the following when visiting the pototla palace. 1. Of course first thing , if you are in lahasa then you know you are at 3,646 meters above the ocean level, that means you need at least a day of getting aclimatized to the high altitude in order to get a good experience while visiting it as you go up as high as 3750 meters. 2. After getting aclimatized make sure you are well rested and ready to go as you have to climb over 800 stairs, take your time to go up (Prior to my visit I trained 1 year in high altitude so I didn't had any problem , but I saw a lot of people having trouble to go up and many people were using oxygen canisters ) 3. The ticketing is controlled by the Goverment or the Administration of the Potala Palace so it's hard to choose the time you want to visit it, specially because your tickets have your name , time of visit and of course the visiting permit if you are lucky and get early in there then you will skip the hundreds of people that arrive later during the day. 4. Bring comfortable clothing and tennis shoes , and there is a dressing code to visit it, so be respectful about that. 5. You CAN NOT take pictures inside the Potola Palace , only in the outside open areas. 6 . When you end up climbing the stairs to enter the potala Palace, then there is a time limit to visit it, so you have to go a little fast (I think it is 45 minutes) 7 the inside of the Potala Palace is like a dream come true experience, is like going back on time when you can imagine the Dalai Lama walking on the halls of the Palace and more than a thousands monks living in there while breathing the incense. 8. Make sure you read or do some research about the religion so you understand what it is all about. (Very important). 9. Some very steep stairs inside and narrow halls with hundreds of people, so bring your patience to the palace. 10. The best pictures of the potala palace are in front of it . I mean in the park that is in front , especially at night when the lights are on. There are reflective mirrors that give a cool double effect. Maybe I'm.missing a lot of information but this will help a little bit for your visit. Of course 5/5 stars and a most do experience.
Adolfo MartinezAdolfo Martinez
00
Breathless – Climbed only Halfway!! Out of a group of 14 of us who travelled to Lhasa, only four opted to take up the challenge of climbing the Potala Palace on 06th June 2018. Although we arrived a day earlier, most in our group were feeling breathless to undertake the challenge. Out tour guide obtained the tickets in advance. According to the time allotted to us we were at the West Gate Entrance at 1600 hrs. They checked our passports against the tickets. DO NOT FORGET TO TAKE YOUR PASSPORT. The security check is thorough – similar to airport security – not even water allowed through, though you can purchase water higher up. I found that I was getting tired quite easily when climbing the steps. I stopped every 20 steps or so to catch my breadth. I checked my pulse regularly on the upward climb not allowing it to go beyond 140 per second. During our upward climb, four Tibetan young ladies helped the lady in our group. I took photographs of the staircases with stone slabs as we climbed along as well as the city from higher up. I and the lady in our group stopped at the top of the White Palace at the quadrangle used by monks for morning prayers since we could not proceed beyond due to feeling exhausted. The two of us though unhappy, trekked back and retraced our path. We did not meet any on-coming visitors as the entrance gate had closed by then. I am so sorry I could not make it up to the top. At my age of 75, I did not want to do what I could not do!! At the end of our tour we saw a lady devotee moving step by step prostrating herself – Step – bow – prostrate – get up – step – bow and so on. Attached is short video as a remembrance of her devotion! Just a little note – No hats permitted. You have to be decently dressed. Photos are not permitted within the red palace though you can take photographs elsewhere.
Seevali De AbrewSeevali De Abrew
130
Nestled at an altitude of 3,700 m in the center of Lhasa Valley, Potala Palace is one of the most recognized monument of Tibet. The Palace consists of an assortment of structures rising in quadrangular prominent mass above its foundation. The center piece stands tall in a striking crimson color, giving the name of "red palace". It served Dalai Lamas as his multi-functional residence with chapels and shrines, all of which are ornament with embroidery, jewelry, figures and paintings craft in Tibet fashion. I don't think photography is allows inside the palace and so this something need to be admired in person. The Palace has a quota to limit the number of visitors it can receive a day. Be sure to check the quota before visiting. Probably the best way is to have it arranged through a travel agency. The only access to the Palace is through a winding staircase which requires a bit of climbing. It may not look intimidating at first glance, but this will be carried out at an altitude of 3700 m and so I would strongly recommend to do it slowly. Most tourists I have seen here are from mainland China. This could be due to the controversial policy China placed in Tibet, restricting many foreign visitors from entering Tibet and therefore deny their opportunity to appreciate this marvel of architecture.
Troy TianTroy Tian
100
One of my Life Goals !!! I finally have a chance to visit this Historical Palace in Tibet. Firstly, the China Government requires all Foreigners to be accompanied by a Registered Local Tour Guide. A Special Visit Tibet Pass must be applied before any Foreigner can visit into Tibet. This historical Palace was once the Official Office and Monastery of His Holiness, The Dalai Lama. Currently, this Palace is used by the Chinese Government as the Administrative Office of Tibet. The red-coloured portions are the original palace buildings, and the white-coloured portions were added to serve the administration offices. There are around 1,000 steps to climb up to the palace main entrance ... with another 1,000 steps to climb down. With the already thin oxygenated air and drier humidity, I will suggest visitors to take the climb, slow and easy. The steps are rather steep, and uneven. In the past, these steps were specially inclined to make any attacking infrantry from easily running or climbing up to attack the Palace. No photography is allowed inside the Palace, thus, we can only post photos of the Palace exterior. I will strongly suggest everyone to try to visit this Beautiful Historical Palace !!!
Perry PacificPerry Pacific
140
Potala Palace, immense religious and administrative complex in Lhasa, southern Tibet Autonomous Region, southwestern China. It is situated atop Mar-po-ri (Red Mountain), 425 feet (130 metres) above the Lhasa River valley, and rises up dramatically from its rocky base. Potrang Karpo (completed 1648; White Palace) once served as the seat of the Tibetan government and the main residence of the Dalai Lama; from the mid-18th century it was used as a winter palace. Potrang Marpo (1694; Red Palace) houses several chapels, sacred statues, and the tombs of eight Dalai Lamas; it remains a major pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists King Srong-brtsan-sgam-po commissioned the building of a palace in Lhasa in the 7th century. Significantly smaller and less elaborate than its 5-square-mile (13-square-km) successor, it was named the Potala (“Pure Land” or “High Heavenly Realm”) for reasons that are not historically documented, although Mount Potala in India seems the likely source. Tibetan Buddhists acknowledge the Dalai Lama as the incarnation of Avalokiteshvara (Chinese: Guanyin), a bodhisattva whose home was on Mount Potala.
mustafa alzialiaemustafa alzialiae
20
Nearby Attractions Of Potala Palace
Monument to the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet
Lukhang
Monument to the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet
2.4
(122)Click for details
Lukhang
4.4
(14)Click for details
Nearby Restaurants Of Potala Palace
牦牛酸奶坊
Potala Palace Chaobai Zhezang Restaurant
Potala Palace No.7
Jinglaishun
Xueshengong Tibetan Style Restaurant
Holy Land Vegetarian Restaurant
Sunny Shell Restaurant
Restaurant Flavour
牦牛酸奶坊
4.3
(3)Click for details
Potala Palace Chaobai Zhezang Restaurant
3.8
(3)Click for details
Potala Palace No.7
5.0
(2)Click for details
Jinglaishun
4.5
(1)Click for details
Reviews
Overview
4.8
(822 reviews)
Phone
+86 891 683 4362
Call
Website
potalapalace.cn
Visit
Deep Dive
A deep dive into Potala Palace
