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Potala Palace布达拉宫
The Potala Palace crowns Marpo Ri hill in northwest Lhasa at 3,700 m — the highest and largest palace complex on earth. First built in the 7th century under King Songtsen Gampo to welcome his bride Princess Wencheng, it preserves the stupas of successive Dalai Lamas along with a wealth of murals, thangkas and statuary. It is the holiest site of Tibetan Buddhism and its very symbol.
Lhasa · Visitor Guide2026-10-27
Quick Answer
Is Potala Palace worth visiting?
The world's highest palace, at 3,700 m above Lhasa — a sacred site of Tibetan Buddhism and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Quick facts
| Ticket | CNY 200 in peak season (May-Oct); CNY 100 in low season (Nov-Apr); advance reservation required |
|---|---|
| Hours | 9:00-16:00 (last entry 15:00) |
| Recommended duration | 2-3 hours |
| Best time to visit | April-Oct; winter is quieter but some areas close |
| How to get there | Walk or taxi to Potala Palace Square; buses 1, 3, 4, 11, 12 or 17 to the Lhasa Hotel stop |
| English signage | Yes |
| Wheelchair accessible | Partial |
| Elevation | 3,700 m |
| First built | 7th century AD |
| Floor area | Over 90,000 sq m |
| Height | 117 m |
| Storeys | 13 (as seen from outside) |
| World Heritage | Inscribed on the list in 1994 |
What to expect
The Potala is the holy of holies of Tibetan Buddhism and the emblem of Tibet's historic union of faith and government. Built into the hillside in tiered masses, its palaces rise sheer and commanding. The main structure runs 13 storeys and 117 m high — a staggering sight. White walls stand for compassion, red for wisdom, and the golden roofs blaze in the sun.
The palace divides into the White Palace and the Red Palace. The White Palace served as the Dalai Lama's winter residence and the seat of the former Tibetan government. The Red Palace holds the funerary stupas and chapels of successive Dalai Lamas — eight in all, the Fifth Dalai Lama's the most magnificent, wrapped in gold and studded with countless jewels.
Inside is a trove of historical treasures: the life-size statue of the 12-year-old Sakyamuni, the Fifth Dalai Lama's golden seal, murals, thangkas and scriptures. For Tibetan people the Potala is the anchor of faith — countless pilgrims circle its walls and prostrate themselves here every day. From the palace the whole of Lhasa spreads out below.
How to get there
In northwest Lhasa — reach it on foot or by taxi. Buses stop at the Lhasa Hotel or Yak Square stops.
Best photo spots
- Potala Palace Square (full frontal panorama)
- Chakpori Hill viewpoint (the classic angle)
- The pilgrim circuit behind the palace
- The Potala floodlit after dark
Tips
- Reserve tickets well in advance — in peak season you may not buy one on the spot
- No photography inside the palace; respect the rules
- The stairways are tiring — pace yourself and watch for altitude sickness
- Hire a guide, or you will see the splendor but miss the story
Scams to avoid
- There is no such thing as a legitimate ticket-grabbing service — don't be fooled
- Unlicensed guides lurk nearby; book guiding through official channels
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to book ahead?
Yes. Tickets must be reserved in advance via the Potala's official website or WeChat account.
How long should I allow?
Plan on 2-3 hours — even a quick pass through the many halls takes that long.
Is altitude sickness a problem?
The palace sits high (3,700 m). Acclimatize in Lhasa for 1-2 days before your visit.
Read next
Other things to do in Lhasa
Barkhor Street
Lhasa's oldest street, a roughly 1,000 m pilgrim circuit around Jokhang Temple dating to the 7th century; free to walk, shops 9:00-20:00, full of Tibetan architecture and ritual life.
Drepung Monastery
Drepung Monastery (哲蚌寺, Zhébàng Sì), founded in 1416, was once the largest monastery in the world — housing up to 10,000 monks before 1959 — and still clings to a steep hillside 8 km west of Lha.
Jokhang Temple
Tibetan Buddhism's holiest temple, built under Princess Wencheng's direction and home to the life-size statue of Sakyamuni at age 12.
Mount Kailash
Tibet's holiest peak at 6,638m — sacred to four religions. 3-day kora (52 km) around the mountain. Permit required. Remote, high-altitude, deeply spiritual.
Nam Co Lake
Tibet's second-largest lake, at 4,718 m one of the highest in the world — a sacred lake of Tibetan Buddhism set against the Nyenchen Tanglha mountains.
Namtso Lake
At 4,718 m, Namtso is one of the highest large lakes on Earth and Tibet's largest saltwater lake; the run from Lhasa is about 240 km each way and eats a full 12-hour day, so leave before dawn.
Norbulingka
Norbulingka in Lhasa is Tibet's largest garden (about 360,000 sqm) and the Dalai Lamas' summer palace since the 18th century; entry 30-60 yuan, closed Mondays, UNESCO listed.
Sera Monastery
One of the six great Gelug monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism, founded in 1419 in Lhasa; entry 50 yuan, open 9:00-16:00, with famous monk debating sessions 14:00-17:00 Monday to Saturday.
Yamdrok Lake
A sacred turquoise lake at 4,441 m and one of Tibet's three holy lakes, reached by a 2.5-hour drive from Lhasa over the 4,794 m Kamba La pass.
Museums in Lhasa
Tibet Museum
Lhasa's state-of-the-art museum of Tibetan history and culture — thangka masterpieces, prehistoric artifacts, and an essential orientation before the Potala Palace. Free; 2.5–3.5 hours.
Xizang (Tibet) Museum
Reopened in 2022 after a multi-year renovation. Tibetan history from prehistory to modern era, with world-class thangka and Buddhist art collections. Free.