The erstwhile residence of the Dalai Lama, the Potala Palace stands impressively on the top of the Marpo Ri Hill (Red Hill) in the centre of the Lhasa city. Its altitude, 3,700 m above sea level, makes it the highest ancient palace in the world.

Walking down the history lane you will discover that the site of the Potala Palace was initially used by king Songtsen Gampo for his meditation. Later, in 637, he constructed the first palace there in order to welcome his Chinese wife of Tang dynasty. In the middle of the 17th century, 1645 to be more precise, construction of the present palace commenced under the supervision of the 5th Dalai Lama, Lozang Gyatso. By 1648, the Potrang Karpo or the White Palace was completed while the construction of the Potrang Marpo or the Red Palace was accomplished by 1694. Potala Palace served as the chief residence for the Dalai Lamas till the Chinese invasion of 1959 forced them to flee to a safer place in Dharamshala, India.


The name of the palace owes its origin to the Mount Putuo, one of the four sacred mountains of Buddhism, believed to be the mythological abode of Avilokitesvara.

Today, the Potala Palace has been transformed into a museum. It was also declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 1994. A whole lot of visitors make it a point to visit the Potala Palace during their trip to Lhasa. The palace is open for tourists between 9 in the morning to 12 in the noon and then again from 3 in noon to 5 in the evening. It is advisable for tourists to keep in hand a minimum of two and a half hours to explore the palace in entirety.

Other things that tourists need to keep in mind while visiting Potala Palace are : as per local customs the tour is to done in the clockwise direction; smoking is not allowed inside; photography too is not allowed without permission; it can get a bit chilly inside, so wear or atleast carry warm clothes; book your tickets in advance since the palace welcomes only 23000 visitors a day.


Inside

• The White Palace :An integral part of the Potala Palace, the White Palace stands west of the Deyang Shar courtyard, which itself is reached on entering the East Portal. This yellow painted courtyard is used by the Dalai Lamas to watch the Tibetan opera. The seven floor White Palace was originally constructed in 1645 by the 5th Dalai Lama and brought to its present size by the 13th Dalai Lama in the early 20th century.
  
  The White Palace comprises the interior palace of the Dalai Lama, administrative offices and meeting halls etc. The colour whiet is meant to convey peace in world. The largest hall of the palace, the Great East Hall, is located on the fourth floor and spreads over an area of 717 sqm. The hall becomes a venue whenever any important political or religious event is organised in the palace. Above, on the fifth and sixth floor the living quarters and offices of regents are situated. The top most floor houses the East Chamber of Sunshine and the West Chamber of Sunshine. The names are indicative of the abundant sunshine that pour in these chambers throughout the year. The chambers are the place where the Dalai lama previously lived, worked and studied. From the balcony of the chamber, visitors can catch some fantastic views of the Lhasa city.
  
  
• The Red Palace : The Red Palace is located in the middle of the Potala Palace and was constructed post the 5th Dalai Lama's death. The colour red was meant to indicate the power and might of the Dalai Lama. The Red Palace comprises the Great West Hall right in the middle. This hall is the largest one in the Potala Palace and has an area of 725 sqm. The hall has beautiful murals painted on the inner walls that depict the 5th Dalai Lama. The corridors are also brilliant with murals of figures of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Dalai Lamas; the genetic stories of Buddhism; the historical events such as king Songtsen marrying Princess Wencheng and building Jokhang Temple. Four chapels surround the Great West Hall - the North Chapel, the East Chapel, West Chapel and the South Chapel. The North Chapel honours Sakyamuni, Dalai Lamas, Buddhas of Three Generations and Medicine Buddha. The chapel also houses the stupa tomb of the 8th, 9th and 11th Dalai Lama along with a volume of Kanjur (Beijing Edition) which was donated by Emperor Yongzheng.
  
  The East Chapel is dedicated to Tsong Khapa, founder of the Gelukpa School of Tibetan Buddhsim. His 2 m high figure dominates the chapel and surrounding it are statues of 70 famous lamas.
  
  Padmasambhava, the famous Indian tantric sage who introduced esoteric Buddhism in Tibet in 8th century is worshipped in the South Chapel.
  
  The West Chapel contains the stupa tomb of the 5th, 10th and 12th Dalai Lama. Amongst these, the stupa tomb of the 5th Dalai Lama is the most important one. 14.85 m in length, it is covered with more than 3,000 kg gold foil and embellished with pearls, gems, corals, ambers and agates.
  
  The Saint's Chapel is located on the northern side of the Red Palace on 3rd floor and is the most sacred place in the Potala Palace. The chapel houses a small ancient jewel encrusted statue of Chenrezi along with two of his attendants. A floor below is the Dharam Cave which is where Songtsen Gampo is believed to have meditated and studied Buddhism. The cave has images Songtsen Gampo, his wife and chief minister, Sambhota. These two are the only two remaining structure that date back to the 7th century.

Lhasa
Located at an altitude of 3650 m, Lhasa is one of the most significant destinations for Buddhist tourists throughout the world. In Tibetan language, Lhasa means the holy land or the Buddha land. Accordingly, there are many Buddhist attractions that dot the city and the area surrounding it. As per legends, Lhasa became the capital of Tibet during the era of Songtsen Gampo, however it shot into prominence when the founder of Gelukpa School of Tibetan Buddhism constructed three monasteries - Ganden, Sera and Drepung. Lhasa reached its zenith when the 5th Dalai Lama moved in and made Lhasa his administrative capital.

Lhasa is still the capital of Tibet and is therefore well connected with other parts within Tibet. Tourists to the city will also find abundant accommodation options as per their requirement.


Other Attractions

• Jokhang Temple :Occupying an area of 25,100 sqm, the Jokhang Temple is UNESCO World Heritage Site. The temple was constructed by king Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century in order to facilitate the installation of the two Buddha statues his Nepalese and Chinese wife had brought along post their marriage to him. The temple complex originally included only 8 shrines, however successive renovation work made it the structure that it is today. The highlight of the temple is the rare Sakyamuni statue as he was at the age of 8. The Jokhang temple is open from 9 in the morning to 6 in the evening. Tourists must keep in hand around two hours to properly explore the temple complex.
  
  
  
• Barkhor Street : Barkhor Street is the one where pilgrims in large number walk or even move by body lengths clockwise outside the Jokhang temple. To the west of the north street of Barkhor is the place where the annual ceremony to worship Maitreya or the Buddha of Future is conducted. Barkhor is also a market place where nomads, traders, monks and pilgrims can be seen together. The shops here sell both Buddhist religious and non religious objects. Some of these articles for sale here include printed scriptures, cloth prayer flags, religious vessels, jewellery, Tibetan knives, ancient coins and other Tibetan relics.
  
  
• Norbulingka : In the western suburb of Lhasa city, around 1 km southwest of Potala Palace is Norbulingka which in Tibetan language means the Treasure Park. This park spreads over an area of 360,000 square meters and is the biggest man made park in Tibet. The park, in earlier times was a wasteland with wild animals, weeds and scrubs. The 7th Dalai Lama quite frequently visited the site and it was for him that the Qing Magistrate had the first palace built. Later, several palace complexes came up including Kelsang Potrang, Tsokyil Potrang, Golden Linka and Takten Migyur Potrang. The park is open from 9 in the morning to 12 in the noon and later from 3 to 4 in the afternoon. Three hours is quiet sufficient to enjoy a visit to the park.
  
  
• Ramoche Monastery : Ramoche Monastery stands in the northwest area of Lhasa and occupies an area of 4000 sq km. The monastery was originally constructed during the reign of Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo under the supervision of his wife, Chinese princess Wencheng. In order to show her affection for her birth place and parents, she had the temple facing the eastern direction. Later on, the monastery underwent many destruction and consequent reconstruction work, the most important being the one done in the 1986. The prime attraction of the monastery is a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha which was brought over to Tibet by the Nepalese princess.