Majestically perched on Red Mountain in the city center of Lhasa, the Potala Palace rises with its golden roofs and hundreds of windows. It is the highest elevated architectural complex on Earth.
For centuries, the Potala Palace served as the religious and political center of Tibet. The sheer scale of the palace is impressive: the main part of the palace is 117 meters high and 350 meters long. The 13 floors house over 1000 rooms with a total area of approximately 130,000 square meters. The palace can be divided into the Red Palace and the White Palace. The White Palace was built between 1645 and 1648 under the 5th Dalai Lama, primarily serving secular purposes such as storage or administrative rooms, as well as the private quarters of the god-king. Above the White Palace rises the Red Palace, completed in 1694. Its centerpiece is the Great West Hall with the throne room and audience hall. The rooms are adorned with rich wall paintings and furnishings.
The Jokhang Temple is situated in the middle of Lhasa's old town. According to tradition, it was built in the 7th century under the direction of Songtsan Gampo. The architectural style of the building is a fusion of classical Chinese, Tibetan, Indian, and Nepalese artistry. The temple symbolizes the Buddhist universe and houses many valuable art objects such as wall paintings, embroideries, and thangkas.
The Norbulingka Palace is located in the western suburbs. Its Tibetan name means "Treasure Garden" and it served as the summer residence of the Dalai Lamas.
