Potala Palace
The iconic 13-story palace atop Red Hill, with 1,000 rooms housing Buddhist art, scriptures, and stupas.
History & Background
The Potala Palace, built in the 7th century and expanded in the 17th century by the Fifth Dalai Lama, served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas and the seat of Tibetan government. Standing at 3,700m on Red Hill, this 13-story palace contains over 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines, and 200,000 statues. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most iconic symbol of Tibet.
What to See & Do
- Red Palace with stupas of past Dalai Lamas
- White Palace with administrative offices and living quarters
- Throne Hall with golden throne and murals
- Chapel of the Dharma King with ancient Buddhist relics
- Panoramic views of Lhasa from the upper terraces
Visitor Tips
- Book tickets online or arrive before 9am for walk-in tickets
- Climb slowly to avoid altitude sickness
- Photography prohibited inside chapels
- Remove hats and speak quietly in religious areas
- Allow 2-3 hours for a thorough visit
Visit Potala Palace with QTour
Our private tours include this attraction with an expert guide, private vehicle, and flexible itinerary.
QTour builds private itineraries around Potala Palace with a dedicated English-speaking guide and a private air-conditioned vehicle. Your guide arranges entrance tickets, skips the queues where possible and explains the history in your language — no fixed group schedule and no shopping stops. Every booking follows our one-booking-one-team policy.
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