Potala Palace, Buddhist palace in Lhasa District, China.
Potala Palace is a Buddhist palace in Lhasa District, China, with red and white painted sections stretching 400 meters (1312 feet) in length. The complex rises through multiple terraces and features thick stone walls, over 1,000 rooms, and gilded roofs that shine in the sunlight.
Construction began in 637 under King Songtsen Gampo, but most of the current structure was built in the 17th century under the Fifth Dalai Lama. The building served as both winter residence and political center until 1959.
The name derives from Mount Potalaka, the home of the deity Avalokiteshvara, and the building embodies this spiritual connection through its position high above the city. Pilgrims walk clockwise around the base, spinning the red prayer wheels while chanting mantras.
Access involves steep stairs and narrow passages, so good footwear is necessary and visitors should prepare for the thin mountain air. Guided tours are mandatory and visits typically last about one hour with limited daily entry.
The structure contains eight decorated tombs of former Dalai Lamas, the most notable being 14 meters (46 feet) high and covered with 3,700 kilograms (8,150 pounds) of gold. These burial sites are located in the red section and can be viewed during guided tours.
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