The Potala Palace is hailed as ‘the pearl on the roof of the world’. It is the palace with the highest altitude and the most majestic one in the world. It is also the supreme symbol of Lhasa and even Tibet. Initially built by Songtsen Gampo to marry Princess Wencheng, it has a history of nearly 1300 years. Along the way, it has endured several wars and lightning strikes. Through continuous reconstruction and expansion, it has taken on its present appearance. The countless stupas, statues, murals, Thangkas and scriptures and classics treasured inside are peerless treasures. What are the core attractions of the huge Potala Palace? How to visit specifically? This guide will answer for you.
1. Viewing stupas: There are many treasures in the Potala Palace. The most important ones are the stupas where the successive Dalai Lamas are enshrined. There are a total of 8 stupas. The treasure of the palace is a statue of Avalokitesvara naturally formed by sandalwood. The 8 stupas are the stupas of the 8 deceased Dalai Lamas starting from the 5th Dalai Lama, excluding the 6th Dalai Lama Tsangyang Gyatso.
This was once the venue for large-scale events such as the God-Jumping and Tibetan Opera, with the high-rise buildings on both sides of the square serving as monks’ residences. The only public restroom in the Potala Palace is located on the east side of the square.
The White Palace, located at the mountain’s midsection and known for its white architectural part, was the office of the local Tibetan government and the residence of the Dalai Lama. Upon entering through the eastern gate of the White Palace, one can see the hall filled with precious murals, predominantly featuring the Bodhisattva Akshobhya, with the most eye-catching one being the Princess Wencheng’s Journey to Tibet.
The White Palace consists of 7 floors, with the ‘East Great Hall’ on the fourth floor being the largest, where significant political and religious activities such as the enthronement of Dalai Lamas and grand ceremonies took place. However, it is currently not open to the public. Visitors can explore the East Sunshine Hall on the top floor of the White Palace, which was once the Dalai Lama’s residence, containing an audience hall, a small scripture hall, a study room, and a bedroom. The Dalai Lama would watch Tibetan Opera from the windowsill on the east side of the audience hall.The Red Palace, situated at the central peak of the mountain, is the religious sanctuary of the Potala Palace, housing the most important stupas of successive Dalai Lamas. The Red Palace has 4 floors, with the central Western Great Hall on the top floor being the largest hall within the Red Palace. The stupa of the 5th Dalai Lama is made of 3,721 kilograms of pure gold and is adorned with nearly 20,000 jewels, including a pearl formed in the brain of an elephant. This is the tallest and most magnificent stupa among all, symbolizing the 5th Dalai Lama’s status in Tibet. Additionally, over 2,000 sets of murals around the hall provide insights into the life and family history of the 5th Dalai Lama.
The Holy Avalokiteshvara Hall is the main hall for Buddhist worship in the Potala Palace, housing the palace’s treasure – a naturally formed sandalwood statue of Avalokiteshvara known as ‘Pabai Lugu Xiare’ – revered as the ‘Treasure of the Museum’. Above the lintel hangs a plaque inscribed with ‘Futian Miaoguo’, a gift from Emperor Daoguang.
The Dharma King Hall, also known as the Dharma King Cave, is located at the heart of the Potala Palace and is said to have been the meditation place of Songtsen Gampo. It now enshrines statues of Songtsen Gampo, Princess Bhrikuti, Princess Wencheng, and ministers. According to historical records, after the initial construction of the Potala Palace, it survived wars and lightning strikes, with only the Dharma King Cave remaining intact.
The Golden Roofs, atop the Red Palace, consist mainly of seven gilded roofs, all made of copper. Apart from one gilded roof for the main hall (Holy Avalokiteshvara Hall), the other six are for the stupas of successive Dalai Lamas. The very top is equipped with a sharp iron fork for lightning protection, a testament to ancient technology. The Golden Roofs are currently not open to tourists.
Every evening, as night falls, countless lights are projected onto the Potala Palace from below, revealing its majestic and sacred presence in a different, dazzling way.
Therefore, a night tour around the periphery to view the Potala Palace is also an activity not to be missed. Usually, the tour route starts from the north gate of the Potala Palace and follows a clockwise direction of Zongjiao Lukang Park (taking pictures of the reflection of the Potala Palace in Longwangtan) – the prayer wheel path around the Potala Palace (unlocking the side view of the Potala Palace) – Potala Palace Square (taking pictures of the front of the Potala Palace and enjoying the Potala Palace after the lights are on).
The whole walk takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. This night tour route does not involve entrance tickets and travelers can tour on their own. Some hotels will also provide guided tours (Vienna Potala Palace View Hotel provides free night tours). Listening to explanations while walking can help you understand more deeply. Tips: The lighting-up time of the Potala Palace is around 8 to 9 o’clock, and the lights are turned off until 12:30 in the morning. If you want to witness the moment when the lights are turned on, you may ask the hotel you are staying at about the situation of the current season.
