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Potala Palace, China

Potala Palace Fortress in Lhasa, China

Address: 35 Beijing Middle Rd, Lhasa, Tibet, China, 850000
Hours: Opens 9:30AM
Phone: +86 891 683 4362
Elevation: 3,700 m
Founder: Songtsen Gampo
Date established: 1649

About Potala Palace

The grandest temple and palace complex in Tibet is located in Lhasa, China. This is a monumental high-altitude building. Previously, the residence of the Dalai Lama was located here. Many scientists have called the monument controversial: on the one hand, the Dalai Lama

There are mausoleums, ancient museums and Tibetan monasteries in the Potala Palace. The museum complex is known for its unusual sculptures, ancient Chinese holy books and murals. The palace is 13 meters high and measures in hectares with more than 1,000 rooms and houses.

The Potala Palace is the abode of the greatest leader of Tibetan Buddhism, Dalai Lama, and is therefore considered to be the holiest site of Buddhist religion in Tibet. There are many stupas of Dalai Lama in different chapels of the palace.

Since the main purpose of the Potala Palace is defense, the thickness of the stone walls here is impressive, about 3 meters. The complex consists of two palaces: red and white, of fundamental religious and historical significance to Tibetans. The tour costs about $50 and there are many restrictions, such as photo and video shooting.

Who lives in Potala Palace now?

From then on, the Potala Palace became the Dalai Lamas’ residence, government offices, and an important place for religious activities. However, after the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959, the palace has been more like a museum