Potala Palace

Upon entering the East Portal, visitors will come into the Deyang Shar courtyard where Dalai Lamas watched Tibetan opera. West of the courtyard is the White Palace. As the winter palace of Dalai Lamas, the White Palace is a seven-floor building originally built in 1645. The wall of the palace was painted to white to convey peace and quiet. The Great East Hall on the fourth floor is the largest hall in White Palace, occupying a space of 717 sq meters (about 7,718 sq ft). This hall was also the site for holding momentous religious and political events. The living quarters and offices of regents are on the fifth and sixth floors and while the top floor consists of the East Chamber of Sunshine and the West Chamber of Sunshine. Because of the sunshine in the chambers all year round, the East and West Chamber were the places where Dalai Lamas live, work and study. The furnishings are sumptuousness and comfortable, revealing the dignity of Dalai Lamas. Standing on the spacious balcony, visitors can look down on beautiful Lhasa.

In the middle of the Potala Palace the Red Palace exists. Built in 1690 after the death of the Fifth Dailai Lama, the wall of the palace was painted to red, representing stateliness and power. The Red Palace is renowned for its religious status, gorgeous stupas and precious culture relics. The Great West Hall in the middle is the largest hall of Potala Palace with an area of 725 sq meters (about 7,804 sq ft). Beautiful murals painted on inner walls described the glory and power of the Fifth Dalai Lama, and the corridor upstairs is also painted by many religious murals such as the figures of Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and Dalai Lamas; the genetic stories of Buddhism; the historical events such as marrying Princess Wencheng and building Jokhang Temple. One of the most famous murals described the Fifth Dalai Lama's visit to Emperor Shunzhi in Beijing in1652. There are another three chapels around the Great West Hall. The North Chapel is dedicated to Sakyamuni, Dalai Lamas, Buddhas of Three Generations and Medicine Buddha.

The thirteenth Dalai Lama died in 1933, and people believed that he was as great as the Fifth Dalai Lama. So his stupa chapel to the west of the Great West Hall is only 0.86 meters (2.82 ft) lower than the Fifth Dalai Lama's. It was built in 1934, so it's the latest building in Potala Palace. Murals inside also illustrated the life of the Thirteenth Dalai Lama. The precious complete volumes of Kanjur have also been preserved in the chapel.

There are also many other constructions in Potala Palace which include: the School of Buddist Logic, the seminary, the printing House, gardens, courtyards and even the jail. For more than 300 years, Potala Palace has treasured many culture relics such as murals, stupas, statues, thangkas, and rare sutras. Potala Palace is indeed a must-see for both visitors and researchers.

Tips:
According to the local custom, you have to tour clockwise around; don't step on the doorsill; don't smoke in the halls; don't take photos without permission!
It is not easy for visitors to climb to the top building because of its height, so you'd better slow down. Because the halls are always chilly; you'd better take a coat while visiting!
The authorities have decided to try to preserve Potala Palace by allowing less than 850 visitors to enter each day. Therefore we suggest you prepare for a successful trip by purchasing tickets beforehand. Please note that when buying your tickets, you have to show your ID card or passport.