Potala Place

Potala Palace is located on the Red Mountain in the downtown area of Lhasa. "Potala" is a transliteration of the Sanskrit "Putuo", which was the island where Arya Avalokiteshvara lived. Potala Palace was built in the 32nd generation of the Zanpu Songtsam Gambo period of the Tubo Dynasty (7th century AD), which was called "Red Hill Palace" at that time, and then gradually destroyed with the decline of the Tubo Dynasty. In the 17th century AD, the Fifth Dalai Lama rebuilt the magnificent palace on the former site of Red Hill Palace, which is called Potala Palace. Since then, it has been the political and religious center of Tibet.

Architectural Artistic Achievements

Potala Palace is the highest and most magnificent palace in the world and a significant symbol of Tibet. It is mainly composed of the Red Palace

and the White House. The highest Red Palace in the middle is essential for religious ceremonies, and the surrounding White House is mainly the Dalai Lama’s activity place. Although most of the buildings were built in different periods of the past dynasties, they all skillfully used the mountain terrain to build, which made the whole palace temple building look very magnificent and harmonious, and reached an incomparable height in the aesthetic achievements of architectural art, forming a genius masterpiece of architectural creation.

Combination of Tibetan Buddhist Temples and Palace Buildings

The architectural art of Potala Palace is the most outstanding representative of thousands of Tibetan Buddhist temples and palaces, and it is a unique example in China and even in the world.

The best place to record the beauty of Potala Palace 

Zongjiao Lukang Park

Yaowang Mountain（药王山）: Yaowang Mountain is close to Potala Palace, which is the best viewing place for Potala Palace and the best angle for shooting Potala Palace. Halfway up Yaowang Mountain, there is an observation deck facing Potala Palace. In Yaowang Mountain in the early morning, some photographers often gather here, waiting for the moment when the first ray of sunshine illuminates Potala Palace. 

Zongjiao Lukang Park （宗角禄康公园）: Zongjiao Lukang is located behind Potala Mountain, with ancient willow trees planted beside the lake, and the scenery is charming. In Tibetan, "Zongjiao" means "behind castle" (castle refers to Potala Palace), and pictures of reflections of Potala Palace, which are widely on the Internet, are taken from here.

Features

Chinese Name: Bu Da La Gong（布达拉宫）

Location: Lhasa City

Popular activities: sightseeing, photography, natural scenery, architectural artistic, learn about Tibetan religious culture

Duration of Visit: It takes about 3 hours from admission to the end, subject to the flow of people on site.

Travel Information

Tour Route: There are eight scenic spots in Xuecheng and 16 scenic spots of the main building. The tour route of Potala Palace is fixed and can only follow the guide card of the travel route, which is a one-line tour mode.

Opening Hours:

       09:00-17:00 ( 1st May - 14th November )

       09:30-17:30 ( 16th March - 30th April )

       09:30-14:00 ( 15th November - 15th March )

Tickets Price（Prices will fluctuate according to the flow of people.）：

       Off-season: CNY 100

       Peak season: CNY 200

Transportation: Take No.8 peak lines/13/17/34/35/36/L2 bus to Baita Station bus stop, and walk about 443 meters to arrive. 

Precautions: Shorts, skirts, hats and sunglasses are not allowed in the palace.