Potala Palace拉萨布达拉宫历史建筑群 · Bùdálā Gōng — the Dalai Lamas' winter palace
A thirteen-storey fortress-palace of whitewashed walls and gilded roofs climbing Red Hill above Lhasa — the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas and the symbol of Tibetan Buddhism. The World Heritage listing bundles it with the Jokhang Temple and the Norbulingka summer palace.
The heart of Tibet, on Red Hill.
Winter palace of the Dalai Lamas since the 7th century, the Potala Palace symbolizes Tibetan Buddhism and its central role in the traditional government of Tibet. Rising on Red Mountain in the middle of the Lhasa valley at 3,700 m, the complex of White and Red Palaces holds chapels, tombs, thousands of rooms and a vast collection of murals, statues and scripture.
The White Palace held the living quarters and offices of government; the Red Palace at the centre is the religious core, containing the jewel-encrusted golden stupa-tombs of past Dalai Lamas. The whole hill is a working symbol as much as a museum — the building that anchors Lhasa's skyline and its faith.
The inscription is a three-part ensemble: the Potala, the Jokhang Temple (Tibet's holiest shrine) and the Norbulingka summer palace. For the wider city — Barkhor, monasteries, altitude and logistics — see our Lhasa guide.
One listing, three Lhasa landmarks.
The World Heritage ensemble bundles three sites of Tibetan sacred and royal architecture, all in Lhasa and each ticketed separately.
Potala Palace 布达拉宫
The winter palace on Red Hill — the White and Red Palaces and the golden tombs of the Dalai Lamas. The building this page is about.
Jokhang Temple 大昭寺
Tibet's holiest shrine, the spiritual centre of the Barkhor and the destination of pilgrims prostrating across the plateau.
Norbulingka 罗布林卡
The Dalai Lamas' summer palace and gardens on the city's edge, liveliest during the Shoton Festival.
What the one-hour visit covers.
Entry is timed and one-way, climbing up and through the palace on a fixed route. These are the parts to focus on before the hour runs out.
Tap or hover a photo for access details.
White Palace 白宫
The former seat of government and the Dalai Lama's living quarters — throne rooms, offices and the great east courtyard.On the timed ticket · Route one-way, uphill
Red Palace 红宫
The religious core: chapels, libraries and the towering jewelled golden stupa-tombs of past Dalai Lamas.On the timed ticket · Note no interior photos
The Golden Roofs & views 金顶
The gilded rooftops and the panorama over Lhasa and the valley — the payoff at the top of the climb.Where upper terraces
Yaowang Hill viewpoint 药王山
The small hill opposite, where photographers get the classic front-on shot of the palace — the image on the ¥50 note.Where across the square · Fee free
Spring and autumn, at altitude.
April–June and September–October bring clear, dry days. Summer (July–August) is the peak tourist season with warm days and mostly night-time rain; winter is cold, bright, cheap and quiet, with the fewest crowds.
Everything must be arranged in advance. Foreigners cannot visit independently — a licensed agency arranges the Tibet Travel Permit, the guided tour and the timed Potala ticket together, and needs your passport and China visa 10–15 days ahead. Don't book flights to Lhasa before the permit is confirmed.
For foreign travelers.
- Start the permit and tour booking 10–15 days ahead through a licensed Tibet agency — it handles the Potala ticket too.
- Acclimatize in Lhasa for a day or two before the visit; the climb through the palace is hard work at 3,700 m.
- No photography inside the chapels, and you'll be moved along within the one-hour slot — look, don't linger over the camera.
- Pair it with the Jokhang and the Barkhor kora the same trip. See our Lhasa guide.