The Potala Palace is a 13-storey palace-fortress rising 117 m above Marpo Ri (Red Mountain) in Lhasa at 3,700 m, rebuilt from 1645 by the Fifth Dalai Lama and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. It served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas until 1959 and now holds chapels, tombs and murals spanning four centuries of Tibetan history.
This page covers what to see inside the White and Red palaces, ticket quotas, timed entry and how the Potala fits into a first Lhasa itinerary alongside the Jokhang Temple.
Overview
The Potala dominates the Lhasa skyline from every rooftop in the old city. Songtsen Gampo built the first structure on this hill in the 7th century; the present White Palace (administration) and Red Palace (religious) took shape under the Fifth Dalai Lama from 1645 and were completed by 1693. UNESCO lists it alongside the Jokhang and Norbulingka as the “Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa” (site 707). Expect steep stairs, thin air and timed one-way routes — most visitors spend two to three hours inside.
History
After the Fifth Dalai Lama moved his government here in 1645, the Potala replaced the Drepung-based administration as Tibet’s political and religious centre. The Red Palace, completed after his death in 1682, houses the gold tomb stupa of the Fifth Dalai Lama — 14.85 m tall and coated with 3,721 kg of gold according to official records. Thirteen Dalai Lamas are commemorated inside; the current 14th Dalai Lama’s quarters in the White Palace are preserved but not open to the public. The palace became a museum in 1959 and received 1.5 million domestic and foreign visitors annually before pandemic-era caps.
Architecture
The complex covers 130,000 m² with over 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and an estimated 200,000 statues. The White Palace holds government halls and the Dalai Lama’s former living quarters; the Red Palace contains chapels, mandala halls and the tomb stupas. Walls taper inward as they rise — 3 m thick at the base — and the roofline of gilded finials is visible from across the Kyichu valley. The main approach climbs 400 steps from the street to the West Gate; there is no lift.
Religious and cultural significance
For Tibetan Buddhists the Potala is the physical centre of the Dalai Lama institution and a pilgrimage destination in itself. The most sacred publicly accessible chapel is the Phakpa Lhakhang; the Saint’s Chapel preserves the meditation cave of Songtsen Gampo. Murals record historical events from the 7th century onward, and the scripture halls hold woodblock editions of the Kangyur and Tengyur. The building embodies the Gelug school’s union of governance and monastic authority that shaped Tibet from the 17th century.
How to visit
| Season | Hours | Ticket (CNY) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peak (1 May – 31 Oct) | 09:30–15:00 | 200 | Timed entry; book via agency when permit is filed |
| Off (1 Nov – 30 Apr) | 09:30–15:00 | 100 | Lower crowds; winter sun on the forecourt |
Arrive at the West Gate 30 minutes before your slot. Passport and Tibet Travel Permit are checked. No photography inside chapels; bags pass through X-ray. Combine with Jokhang (2.1 km walk via Barkhor) on the same day only if acclimatised — most itineraries split them across two mornings. Permit lead time: 15–20 working days via the Tibet Tourism Bureau.
Nearby attractions
- Jokhang Temple — 2.1 km; Tibet’s holiest temple, founded 652 CE
- Norbulingka — 3.5 km west; Dalai Lama summer palace
- Pabonka Monastery — 4 km north; 7th-century retreat above the Sera road
Frequently asked questions
How much does Potala Palace admission cost?
CNY 200 from 1 May to 31 October and CNY 100 from 1 November to 30 April. The ticket includes the one-way route through the White and Red palaces. Agencies reserve timed slots when the Tibet Travel Permit is filed — walk-up tickets without a pre-booked slot are not available for foreign visitors on tour.
What are Potala Palace opening hours?
The palace opens at 09:30 and last entry is at 15:00, seven days a week in normal seasons. Interior chapels close progressively from 15:30. Allow two to three hours for the full route including the approach stairs from the street to the West Gate at 3,700 m.
How many steps are there in the Potala Palace?
The main approach from street level to the West Gate involves roughly 400 steps at altitude. Inside, additional stairs connect the White and Red palace levels. There is no elevator; travellers with mobility limitations should discuss pacing with their guide before booking.
When was the Potala Palace built?
The first buildings date to the 7th century under Songtsen Gampo. The present structure was begun in 1645 by the Fifth Dalai Lama, Ngawang Lobsang Gyatso, and the Red Palace was completed in 1693. UNESCO inscribed the ensemble in 1994 as site 707.
Can I take photos inside the Potala Palace?
Exterior photography from the roof terraces is allowed. Interior chapel photography is prohibited and cameras may be checked at chapel entrances. The best exterior shots are from Chakpori hill southwest of the palace or from the Potala Square fountain area at dawn.
How do I include the Potala on a Tibet trip?
Every Tibet Daily Lhasa itinerary includes the Potala with timed tickets pre-booked. Send passport scans 20 working days before arrival; we file the permit and palace slot together. Tell us your arrival day and we schedule the Potala for Day 2 or 3, not Day 1, for altitude pacing at 3,656 m.