Potala Palace
Perched atop Marpo Ri hill at 3,700m elevation, the Potala Palace is the iconic symbol of Tibet and former winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. The palace complex contains over 1,000 rooms and 200,000 statues, with the White Palace and Red Palace forming its distinctive silhouette. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.
Overview
Quick facts about Potala Palace
Perched atop Marpo Ri hill at 3,700m elevation, the Potala Palace is the iconic symbol of Tibet and former winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. The palace complex contains over 1,000 rooms and 200,000 statues, with the White Palace and Red Palace forming its distinctive silhouette. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994.
| Type | Palace Fortress |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 3,700 m (12,139 ft) |
| Visit length | About 2 hours |
| Tickets | Sample price ¥200 |
| Opening hours | 09:00–17:00 (last entry 16:00) |
| Good to know | Strictly limited daily quota. Book months in advance. |
How to visit
Practical advice from our Lhasa team.
- Strictly limited daily quota. Book months in advance.
- Walk slowly. Steep stairs at altitude are harder — come on your second or third day, not the day you arrive.
- Taxi drop-off: West gate security checkpoint
- Bus: Routes 8, 24 to Potala Palace Square stop
Hotels near Potala Palace
Sorted by walking or driving distance when we have it; otherwise hotels we use in the same city.
Best time to visit
Average daily high and low in °C, and monthly rain in mm. Winter is cold and dry, with fewer visitors and lower hotel prices.
Nearby
Questions
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