Potala Palace, Lhasa

Name: Potala Palace
Address: 35 Beijing M. Rd., Lhasa, China
Telephone: +86 400 864 9111

#1 among attractions in Lhasa

Unesco, Buddhist architecture, Dalai Lama, Top attraction, More...

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Photo details 1. Dreamstime.com / RF / Hungchungchih • 2. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / cattan2011 / URL • 3. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0 / G41rn8 / URL • 4. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 2.5 / I, Luca Galuzzi / URL • 5. Wikimedia Commons / Public domain / Kreusch / URL • 6. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 3.0 / Hiroki Ogawa / URL • 7. Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0 / cattan2011 / URL

Facts and practical information

Perched on the Red Hill in Lhasa, China, the Potala Palace serves as an emblematic fortress and a testament to Tibetan architecture. This monumental structure, once the winter residence of the Dalai Lama, is now a museum and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, drawing visitors from around the globe to marvel at its grandeur.

The Potala Palace, with its white and red walls, stands at an impressive 3,700 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest ancient palaces in the world. Its construction began in the 7th century, and it has since been expanded and renovated by successive Dalai Lamas. The palace is comprised of two main parts: the White Palace, which served as the living quarters of the Dalai Lama, and the Red Palace, which is dedicated to religious study and Buddhist prayer.

Upon entering the Potala Palace, tourists are greeted by an intricate maze of rooms, halls, and chapels. With over 1,000 rooms, the palace houses a vast collection of cultural relics, including murals, paintings, scriptures, and precious artifacts that reflect the rich history of Tibetan Buddhism.

The Potala Palace is not only a cultural and historical treasure but also a spiritual sanctuary. Pilgrims from all over Tibet and the world come to pay their respects and to circumambulate the palace. For the average tourist, the visit is an opportunity to experience the unique Tibetan culture and to witness the architectural prowess that has withstood the test of time.

Visitors should be aware that due to the high altitude, it is advisable to acclimate before exploring the palace extensively. Photography inside the palace is restricted, and there is a limit on the number of daily visitors to preserve the site, so it is recommended to book tickets in advance.

Local name: 布达拉宫 Established: 1649 (376 years ago)Unesco: from 1994Area: 32.12 acres (0.0502 mi²)Coordinates: 29°39'26"N, 91°7'1"E

Address

35 Beijing M. Rd.Lhasa China

Contact

+86 400 864 9111

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Lhasa

Day trips

Potala Palace – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Jokhang Temple, Ramoche Temple, Tibet Museum, Kundeling Monastery.

1 miE
Buddhist temple with a hallowed shrine
Jokhang Temple, Lhasa
25 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Lhasa, the Jokhang Temple stands as an iconic spiritual center and a beacon of Tibetan Buddhism. This revered monastery, with its golden roofs glinting in the sunlight, has been a focal point for pilgrims and tourists alike.
0.8 miE
Ancient Buddhist temple
Ramoche Temple, Lhasa
22 min walk • Ramoche Temple is a Buddhist monastery in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region. It dates back to the seventh century and is considered to be the most important temple in the city after the Jokhang Temple. Situated in the northwestern part of the Tibetan capital, it is east of the Potala and north of the Jokhang.
1.3 miW
History museum, Museum
Tibet Museum, Lhasa
33 min walk • The Tibet Museum is the official museum of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China in Lhasa. Inaugurated on October 5, 1999, it is the first large, modern museum in the Tibet Autonomous Region.
0.6 miW
Buddhist architecture, Monastery
Kundeling Monastery, Lhasa
17 min walk • Kundeling Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Lhasa, Tibet, China. It was founded around 1794, and follows the Gelug school. The head of the monastery belongs to a lineage of incarnations that dates back to 1402. There is dispute over the current incarnation.
0.5 miSW
Nature, Natural attraction, Mountain
Chagpori, Lhasa
14 min walk • Chagpori, Chakpori, Chokpori, Chagpo Ri Wylie: lcags po ri, literally "Iron Mountain"; is a spirit-mountain of Vajrapani within the city of Lhasa in Tibet. It south of the Potala and just to the left when one is facing the Potala. It is considered to be one of the four holy mountains of central Tibet.
1 miE
Monastery
Muru Nyingba Monastery, Lhasa
26 min walk • Muru Ningba or Meru Nyingba is a small Buddhist monastery located between the larger monasteries of Jokhang and Barkhor in the city of Lhasa, Tibet, China. It was the Lhasa seat of the former State Oracle who had his main residence at Nechung Monastery.
~1500 ftS
Memorial
Monument to the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet, Lhasa
8 min walk • The Monument to the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet stands in the southern part of the Potala square in Lhasa, just outside the protective zone and buffer zone of the World Heritage Site.
0.8 miE
Temple
Tsomon Ling, Lhasa
21 min walk • Tsomon Ling, Tsomonling, Tsome Ling, Chomoling is a temple in inner Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China, south of the Ramoche Temple, and on the corner of one of the main roads, Dekyi Shar Lam.
1 miSE
Temple
Trode Khangsar, Lhasa
25 min walk • Trode Khangsar is a temple located in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China, that is over 300 years old. The temple is dedicated to the protector Dorje Shugden and has been traditionally managed by the Gelug monastery Riwo Chöling, which is located in the Yarlung valley.
~910 ftN
Calm monastery with mountain view
Namgyal Monastery, Lhasa
5 min walk • Namgyal Monastery is currently located in Mcleod Ganj, Dharamsala, India. It is the personal monastery of the 14th Dalai Lama. Another name for this temple-complex is Namgyal Tantric College.
1.1 miSW
Church
Catholic Church of Lhasa, Lhasa
29 min walk • The Catholic Church of Lhasa Also called the Lhasa Chapel, was the first Catholic church in Tibet in China. It was founded in 1726 and disappeared in 1745.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Potala Palace?

Nearby attractions include Namgyal Monastery, Lhasa (5 min walk), Monument to the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet, Lhasa (8 min walk), Chagpori, Lhasa (14 min walk), Kundeling Monastery, Lhasa (17 min walk).