Potala Palace

The Potala Palace is a beautiful and remarkable attraction that serves as the official home of the Dalai Lama. There are two main parts to the Potala Palace, which are the Red Palace and the White Palace. The Red Palace features seven roofs made of gold and houses spectacular religious statues and artifacts.

This part of Potala was built following the death of the fifth Dalai Lama and features amazing murals that celebrate the fifth Dalai Lama in the Great West Hall. The White Palace serves as the living area and administrative quarters of the Dalai Lama and his staff. There are various chambers including the East Chamber of Sunshine, underneath which the various Dalai Lamas who’ve resided at Potala ascended the Tibetan throne.

One amazing feature of Potala Palace are the stupa tomb chapels. In these sacred areas are kept the relics from various Dalai Lamas throughout the ages including the fifth, seventh, ninth, tenth, eleventh and twelfth and thirteenth. The stupa of the fifth Dalai Lama is the largest and oldest featured in Potala Palace. Around this stupa are countless ancient manuscripts housed in an ancient chapel and guarded from harm. These manuscripts include books and scrolls in Chinese and Mongolian dating back for ages.

While Potala Palace houses amazing Tibetan treasures, much of this spectacular building is closed to the general public. Even so, it does take several hours to view Potala Palace on an informative guided tour. The Palace is open to visitors Monday through Friday from 9 am to 1230 pm, so plan your trip accordingly. It costs RMB45 to gain entry, which is around $5. Photography is strictly prohibited in Potala Palace; so don’t even consider bringing a camera.

Potala Palace - it’s an amazing structure that is steeped in spirituality, history, enchantment and luxury. Even with so much of it closed off, many tourists still flock to this destination every year, and once you see it for yourself, you’ll know why!