Potala Palace

– The Winter Palace Of The Dalai Lamas

History Of The Potala Palace

The Potala Palace is the landmark impossible to miss, located at the centre of Lhasa City. The original palace was built in the 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo on this outcrop, the “Red Hill”, which dominates the city of Lhasa.

Although the Potala Palace, which was called the Kukhar Podrang, was destroyed by lightning and set on fire in the 8th and 9th centuries. There are still two rooms inside the Potala Palace that supposedly date from his time, but it is impossible to tell how extensive this first palace was.

The name Potala was derived from the Sanskrit word ‘Potalaka’, which means the abode of Buddhisatva Avalokiteshvara. Now, the palace is known locally as ‘Tse-Podrang’, which means the Summit Palace.

The construction of the present Potala Palace began in earnest in 1645 during the reign of the great 5th Dalai Lama. By 1648, the white palace was completed, but the Dalai Lamahads passed away.

To finish the rest of the building, known as Red Palace, his chief advisor, Desi Sanggye Gyatso, had to conceal the death of the Dalai Lama and pretend that he was in a long retreat. Finally, the palace was finished in 1694, twelve years after the Dalai Lama’s death.

Highlights Of The Potala Palace

The Potala Palace represents the traditional architecture of Tibet. Moreover, the well-preserved artworks and many different religious treasures were the main highlights inside the Potala Palace.

The Potala Palace is divided into two differentpart:t; the red palace and the white palace. 

• The White Palace:

The white palace mainly consists of administrative purposes and a private quarter for the successive Dalai Lamas. The white palace includes the Deyang Shar (Eastern Courtyard), eastern private apartment, western private apartment, main assembly hall, Tangka rooms, Namgyal monastery and Western courtyard.

• The Red Palace:

The red palace, which looms from the centre of the Potala Palace, is the spiritual part. In addition, there are many small shrines and eight golden funeral tombs of the Dalai Lamas. 

Out of all the tombs, the fifth Dalai Lama’s tomb is the largest andis named Unique Ornament Of The World. The tomb has 14 meters in height and almost touches the fourth storey—about 3,700 kilos of gold donated by the locals to build the tomb.

Potala Palace Travel Information

• Entrance of the Potala Palace: There are four gates for the four directions of the palace. The Easter and the central gate are mainly used for the pilgrims andtouristst to visit. The northern gate is the exit gate for the visitors, and the western entrance is closed now.
• Tickfor of the Potala Palace: The ticket for the palhashave to be booked by the local travel agency one day before your visit. Unlike other temples, monasteries and palaces, the Potala Palace has a time limit to visit inside the palace. However, there is only one hour to see once you enter from the top gate, so you can slowly climb to the top without a time limit. 
• Drinking water in the Potala Palace: The water bottle outside the Palace is not allowed, but you can buy mineral water once inside the Palace.
• Photography in the Potala Palace: It’s strictly prohibited to take pictures inside the Potala Palace, but you can take photographs till you enter the inner gate. The inner gate to enter the Potala Palace is on the top of the eastern part. Till the top, you will climb more than 100 meters on the steps outside the palace.