The Potala Palace rises 117 metres from the top of Marpori (Red Hill) in the centre of Lhasa, and from a distance it appears to grow directly from the rock — a mass of white and deep red walls, golden roofs, and blind windows that has served as palace, monastery, fortress, and symbol of Tibetan Buddhism for over 1,300 years. There is no other building in China that looks like it, and very few buildings in the world with a comparable presence.
At 3,750 metres above sea level, Lhasa’s altitude is the primary challenge for any visitor. The Potala adds the further physical demand of climbing around 400 steps from the base to the palace interior. Managing altitude effectively is not a minor concern — it is the prerequisite for enjoying the experience at all.
Table of contents
Open Table of contents
History and Significance
The original palace was built in the 7th century by Emperor Songtsen Gampo, who unified Tibet and married both a Chinese Tang dynasty princess and a Nepali princess (their influence brought Buddhism to Tibet). The meditation cave of Songtsen Gampo is now inside the palace and forms part of the visitor route.
The current structure was built primarily in the 17th century under the Fifth Dalai Lama, who oversaw the construction of the White Palace (白宫), and subsequently expanded with the Red Palace (红宫) under the regent Sangye Gyatso between 1690 and 1694.
The Potala served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas until the 14th Dalai Lama fled to India in 1959. It was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and is now managed as a museum and active site of Tibetan Buddhist pilgrimage.
The Booking System
Tickets to the Potala Palace are strictly limited to 2,300 visitors per day, divided into morning (9am) and afternoon (2pm) sessions. This limit exists to protect the building’s structural integrity — the palace’s condition is sensitive to the impact of tourism.
Advance booking is essential. The official booking platform is the Potala Palace website (potalagongdian.com.cn), which requires real-name registration with your passport number. Tickets typically sell out 2–4 weeks in advance for peak season (May–October). In the shoulder months (November–April), availability improves but advance booking is still strongly recommended.
Ticket price: ¥200 (May–October), ¥100 (November–April). You must present your original passport and the ticket confirmation. Entry is timed — you must arrive within a 30-minute window of your designated entry time.
The ticket booth is at the base of the South Staircase. Photography permits (for non-flash photography) are included in the ticket price.
What You See Inside
The standard visitor route takes approximately 1 hour to 1.5 hours and covers the most significant areas of the Red Palace and some of the White Palace.
The Golden Rooftop Terrace: The ascent deposits you on the rooftop area before you enter the interior chambers. The views across Lhasa from here — the Barkhor neighbourhood below, the Jokhang Temple dome, the mountains to the south — are extraordinary. Spend time here and breathe before descending.
The Tombs of the Dalai Lamas: The Red Palace contains eight stupas (礼拜堂 / chortens) holding the remains of successive Dalai Lamas (the Fifth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh, Twelfth, and Thirteenth). The Fifth Dalai Lama’s stupa is the most imposing — 15 metres high and covered with 3,721 kilograms of gold. These are active pilgrimage objects, and Tibetan pilgrims prostrate before them.
The Meditation Cave of Songtsen Gampo: One of the oldest surviving spaces in Lhasa, the meditation cave where Songtsen Gampo reportedly meditated is incorporated into the visitor route. The statues here are 7th-century in origin, though heavily restored.
The Chapel of the Holder of the Thunderbolt (Hayagriva Chapel): Contains particularly important thangkas (scroll paintings) and is one of the most spiritually active areas for pilgrims.
The White Palace Living Quarters: The eastern portion of the White Palace includes the former ceremonial and living quarters of the Dalai Lamas — receiving rooms, throne rooms, and private chapels. The scale and the detail of the Tibetan decorative arts throughout (silk brocades, metalwork, carved wood) are remarkable.
Altitude Management Strategy
Lhasa sits at 3,750m and the Potala’s rooftop brings you to approximately 3,900m. Altitude sickness (高原反应) is real and can affect even healthy, fit travelers.
Acclimatize before visiting: Spend at least 2 full days in Lhasa before attempting the Potala. Use these days for flat walks around the Barkhor and the Jokhang area — nothing strenuous.
Ascend slowly: Take the South Staircase step by step with deliberate rests. There is no rush, and rushing is counterproductive.
Symptoms to watch for: Headache, nausea, dizziness, shortness of breath beyond what’s expected from physical exertion. If severe symptoms develop, descend immediately.
Diamox (acetazolamide): Some travelers use this altitude medication (typically 125mg twice daily from the day before arrival). Consult a doctor before using it.
Water: Carry water. The altitude and the physical exertion of stair-climbing dehydrates faster than at sea level.
Best Photography Viewpoints
The classic exterior photograph of the Potala Palace is taken from the Potala Palace Square to the south — the wide plaza gives a full-frontal perspective with no obstruction. Dawn is the best time (clear air, low-angle light, often with pilgrims making their circuits).
The Chakpori Hill (next to the Potala to the west) has a viewpoint that shows the palace from the side at a slightly elevated angle — a less-used but compelling perspective.
From the Barkhor area and rooftop restaurants around the Jokhang Temple, the Potala appears at a distance above the rooftops — the characteristic photograph of Lhasa that places the palace in urban context.
Getting There
The Potala Palace is in the centre of Lhasa and reachable on foot (15–20 minutes) from the Barkhor/Jokhang area. Taxis from the train station or most hotels cost ¥15–¥30.
Tibet requires a Tibet Travel Permit (藏区通行证) in addition to a Chinese visa. This permit must be obtained through a registered Tibet tour operator — individual independent travel to Tibet is not permitted. Factor this into your planning, as permits typically take 3–7 days to process.