The Potala Palace Scenic Area in Lhasa City is located in Chengguan District, Lhasa City, Tibet Autonomous Region. It is a World Cultural Heritage site and a national 5A-level tourist scenic area. The Potala Palace is situated on Red Hill, at an altitude of more than 3,700 meters. It covers a total area of 360,000 square meters, with a total building area of 130,000 square meters. The scenic area has distinct features. The Potala Palace is a palace-fortress complex and a sacred place of Tibetan Buddhism (Gelug Sect). It was originally built by Songtsen Gampo, the king of the Tubo Dynasty, to marry Princess Bhrikuti and Princess Wencheng. The main buildings are divided into two parts: the White Palace and the Red Palace. The White Palace is the winter palace of the Dalai Lama, and the Red Palace mainly consists of the Stupa Chapels and Buddhist halls. The interior is luxuriously decorated, housing a large number of precious cultural relics such as murals, Buddha statues, and thangkas, demonstrating the profoundness of Tibetan Buddhist culture and the superb level of Tibetan architectural art.
History and Culture
The Potala Palace was first built in the 7th century AD. After Songtsen Gampo unified Tubo, to consolidate the regime and promote cultural exchanges, he decided to build a palace on Red Hill in Lhasa, which was the embryonic form of the Potala Palace. At that time, the Potala Palace was large in scale, with buildings such as palaces and Buddhist halls, serving as the political and religious center of the Tubo Dynasty.
Later, with the decline of the Tubo Dynasty, the Potala Palace was severely damaged. It was not until the 17th century, during the period of the 5th Dalai Lama, that large-scale reconstruction and expansion were carried out on the original basis, forming the basic pattern of the Potala Palace that we see today. Since then, successive Dalai Lamas have continuously repaired and expanded it.
The Potala Palace has witnessed many important events and changes in Tibetan history. It is not only a sacred place of Tibetan Buddhism but also a historical witness of the relationship between the Tibetan region and the central government. In the long historical process, the Potala Palace has accumulated rich cultural connotations and become a treasure of Tibetan culture, attracting countless believers and tourists to pay homage and visit.
Main Attractions
The White Palace
The White Palace is an important part of the Potala Palace, located in the eastern part of the Potala Palace. It is the winter palace of the Dalai Lama and the former office location of the local government of Tibet. The White Palace is seven stories high. The top floor is the Dalai Lama's bedroom, the "Sunlight Palace," which is divided into the East and West Sunlight Palaces. It gets its name because it is the first to receive sunlight every day. The halls are luxuriously furnished, with exquisite carpets, murals, and various precious cultural relics. The other floors of the White Palace house scripture halls, conference rooms, and monk official schools. Here, you can learn about the operation of the local Tibetan government and the development of religious activities at that time.
The Red Palace
The Red Palace is located in the central position of the Potala Palace and gets its name from its red exterior walls. The Red Palace mainly consists of the Stupa Chapels and Buddhist halls, where the stupas of successive Dalai Lamas are enshrined. Among them, the stupa of the 5th Dalai Lama is the most magnificent, with a height of 14.85 meters. The stupa body is wrapped in gold foil and inlaid with countless jewels, priceless. There are also many Buddhist halls in the Red Palace, such as the Hall of the Three Excellent Realms and the Hall of Longevity and Happiness Gathering. The halls enshrine various Buddha statues and thangkas, and the murals are rich in content, depicting Buddhist stories and historical figures, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship of Tibetan Buddhist art.
Potala Palace Square
The Potala Palace Square is located in front of the Potala Palace and is the highest urban square in the world, with a total area of 180,000 square meters. The Monument to the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet stands on the square. The monument has a unique shape, symbolizing the great historical event of the peaceful liberation of Tibet. There are also various flowers, plants, and trees planted on the square, with fountains and lighting facilities around. It is a great place for tourists to take photos and relax. From here, you can admire the majestic posture of the Potala Palace from different angles and feel its solemnity and holiness.
Zongjiao Lukhang Park
Zongjiao Lukhang Park is located behind the Potala Palace and is also known as "Dragon King's Pond." There is a body of water in the park. It is said that when the Potala Palace was built, a large pit was left after taking soil from Red Hill, and later it accumulated water to form the pond. There is a Dragon King Temple in the park, where deities such as the Dragon King are enshrined, and it is a place where local residents pray for blessings. The park has beautiful scenery, with shady green trees and small boats gently rippling on the lake. It is an excellent place for tourists to relax after visiting the Potala Palace. Moreover, tourists can also learn about the local folk culture and religious beliefs here.
Delicacies
Butter Tea
Butter tea is a traditional Tibetan beverage and a common delicacy around the Potala Palace Scenic Area. It is made by mixing butter, brick tea, and salt. When making it, first boil the brick tea into a strong tea juice, then add butter and salt and stir well. Butter tea has a rich taste and extremely high calories, which can help people resist the cold of the plateau. It is also an indispensable beverage in the daily life of Tibetan people. Tourists can taste authentic butter tea in the teahouses or restaurants around the Potala Palace.
Tibetan Noodles
Tibetan noodles are a characteristic noodle dish in Lhasa. The noodles are thin and long, with a chewy texture, and are usually served with beef soup and beef chunks. The beef soup is made by simmering yak beef for a long time, with a delicious taste and a strong aroma. The way of eating Tibetan noodles is also unique. Generally, a small plate of chili oil and vinegar will be provided, and tourists can add them according to their own taste. You can taste delicious Tibetan noodles in Tibetan restaurants or street shops near the Potala Palace.
Yak Beef Jerky
Yak beef jerky is one of the characteristic delicacies of Tibet. It is made from the unique yak beef on the plateau through multiple processes such as marinating, sun-drying, and roasting. The yak beef jerky has a firm texture, a delicious taste, and a chewy quality, and it is rich in protein. It is not only a favorite snack of local people but also one of the specialties often purchased by tourists. You can buy yak beef jerky in different flavors in the specialty stores or markets around the Potala Palace.
Tsampa
Tsampa is one of the staple foods of the Tibetan people. It is made by roasting highland barley and then grinding it into flour. When eating, it is mixed with butter tea or highland barley wine and kneaded into small balls. Tsampa is easy to carry and store and is the main food for Tibetan people during grazing or working. Tourists can taste authentic Tsampa in restaurants or Tibetan households around the Potala Palace and experience the Tibetan food culture.
Entrance Tickets
The entrance ticket price of the Potala Palace Scenic Area is 200 yuan per person. During the peak tourist season (from May 1st to October 31st), the Potala Palace implements a reservation system for visits. Tourists need to make a reservation and purchase tickets 7 days in advance through the official website or WeChat official account of the Potala Palace. During the off-season (from November 1st to April 30th of the following year), tickets can be purchased on-site, and a half-price discount policy is implemented, that is, 100 yuan per person. In addition, children under 1.2 meters in height are free of charge. Active-duty military personnel, disabled people, and the elderly (60 years old and above) can enjoy free tickets or preferential policies with valid certificates, subject to the specific regulations of the scenic area.
Opening Hours
The Potala Palace Scenic Area is open throughout the year, with opening hours from 09:30 to 16:00 (ticket checking stops at 15:30). During special festivals or events, the opening hours may be adjusted. Tourists can pay attention to the official website of the Potala Palace or relevant announcements in advance to arrange their itinerary reasonably.
Tour Routes
Recommended tour route: Tourists can first come to the Potala Palace Square, where they can admire the panoramic view of the Potala Palace, take photos, and visit the Monument to the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet. Then enter the Potala Palace from the main entrance and visit the White Palace and the Red Palace in turn according to the tour route. During the tour, pay attention to following the guide's explanation to understand the history, culture, and architectural features of the Potala Palace. After visiting the interior of the Potala Palace, exit from the back mountain and go to Zongjiao Lukhang Park to admire the beauty of the park and learn about the local folk culture. The whole tour process takes about 3 to 4 hours, and tourists can adjust the route and stay time according to their own time and interests.
Transportation
- Public transportation: In Lhasa City, you can take buses such as No. 8, No. 24, and No. 25 to the Potala Palace Station, with a fare of 1 to 2 yuan. In addition, you can also choose to take a tricycle to the Potala Palace, and the price is generally around 10 to 20 yuan. The specific price can be negotiated with the driver.
- Taxi: Taking a taxi to the Potala Palace in Lhasa City is relatively convenient. The starting price of a taxi in the city is 10 yuan (including 2 kilometers), and then it charges about 2 yuan per kilometer. The cost from other places in the city to the Potala Palace is generally between 10 and 30 yuan, depending on the driving distance.
- Walking: If tourists stay in a hotel or inn near the Potala Palace, they can also choose to walk there, which allows them to enjoy the scenery along the way and better experience the atmosphere of Lhasa City.
Must-visit Attractions
- The White Palace: The winter palace of the Dalai Lama, seven stories high. The Sunlight Palace on the top floor is luxuriously furnished. Other floors house scripture halls, conference rooms, etc., where you can learn about the operation of the local Tibetan government and religious activities.
- The Red Palace: Mainly composed of the Stupa Chapels and Buddhist halls. The stupa of the 5th Dalai Lama is 14.85 meters high, with the stupa body wrapped in gold foil and inlaid with jewels. There are many Buddhist halls in the Red Palace, and the murals and Buddha statues are exquisite, showcasing Tibetan Buddhist art.
- Potala Palace Square: The highest urban square in the world, with an area of 180,000 square meters. There is the Monument to the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet, from which you can admire the Potala Palace from different angles.
Tour Tips
- Since the Potala Palace is located in a plateau area, tourists should make preparations to prevent altitude sickness before the tour, such as taking altitude sickness prevention medicine in advance and avoiding strenuous exercise.
- The internal tour route of the Potala Palace is fixed. Tourists should follow the specified route and not leave the team or enter unopened areas without permission.
- When visiting the interior of the Potala Palace, keep quiet, respect religious beliefs and cultural customs, and do not make loud noises, touch cultural relics, or Buddha statues.
- It is recommended that tourists learn about the history, culture, and religious background of the Potala Palace in advance, so that they can better understand and appreciate the architecture and cultural relics of the Potala Palace. They can learn through reading relevant books, watching documentaries, etc.
- When tasting local delicacies, pay attention to food hygiene and avoid eating too much raw and cold food to prevent gastrointestinal discomfort.
Notes
- When entering the Potala Palace, it is strictly prohibited to carry inflammable and explosive items, controlled knives, and other dangerous items. At the same time, carrying liquids, including water and beverages, is prohibited.
- Taking photos and videos are prohibited inside the Potala Palace. Tourists should abide by this regulation and respect the regulations on cultural relic protection and religious places.
- When visiting the Potala Palace, dress appropriately. Do not wear overly revealing or casual clothing. Especially when entering religious places such as Buddhist halls, it is best to wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants.
- When shopping around the Potala Palace, pay attention to the price and quality of goods to avoid being deceived by unscrupulous merchants. You can compare several stores and choose merchants with good reputations to buy specialties and souvenirs.
- If you feel unwell or encounter other emergencies during the tour, seek help from the staff of the scenic area in a timely manner or go to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.