Potala Palace Lhasa
Location
About
The Potala Palace in Lhasa dominates the Tibetan capital from its hilltop, rising 13 stories and containing over 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines, and 200,000 statues. The main structure was rebuilt by the 5th Dalai Lama in 1645 CE on the site of a 7th-century CE palace of King Songtsen Gampo. It served as the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas until the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959.
Significance
The Potala Palace is the supreme symbol of Tibetan Buddhist civilization — the residence of the Dalai Lama, believed to be the living incarnation of Avalokiteshvara (the Buddha of Compassion). Its White Palace, Red Palace, and golden rooftops represent the union of temporal and spiritual authority in Tibetan governance. The palace contains the tombs of eight Dalai Lamas in gilded chortens and holds Tibet's most sacred religious treasures.
History & Historical Arc
King Songtsen Gampo built the first palace on the Marpo Ri (Red Hill) in 637 CE. The 5th Dalai Lama began the current Wh…
Archaeological Notes
The chapel of Phakpa Lhakhang in the Red Palace contains a sandalwood Avalokiteshvara image said to date to the 7th cent…
Key Features & Structures
- Red Palace (tombs of Dalai Lamas)
- White Palace (former government quarters)
Visitor Information
UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ticket required; limited daily visitors. Advance booking essential. Altitude 3,656m.
Related Figures
In the Bible
Source References
- 5th Dalai Lama, Secret Biography
- UNESCO Potala Palace nomination file (1994)