Norbulingka

Norbulingka in the Past: The Summer Palace of the Dalai Lamas

Lying in the western suburbs of Lhasa, Norbulingka is 2 kilometers to the east of the Potala Palace. It was once the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lamas.

According to Tibetan records, there was once a spring here that was believed to have healing properties. Kalsang Gyatso, the 7th Dalai Lama, often fell ill and came here to take a bath every summer. The Imperial Minister of the Qing Dynasty stationed in Tibet asked for the central government’s permission to build a special place for the 7th Dalai Lama to rest after taking a bath. Thus came the first construction of Norbulingka, the Pavilion Palace.

Since then, all Dalai Lamas have stayed here to study before they were formally enthroned. After they assumed real power, they would still come here every summer.

It is worthwhile to spend a few hours visiting Norbulingka Park during your Lhasa tour.

Norbulingka Nowadays: A Public Park for Local Tibetans and Tourists

On December 14, 2002, Norbulingka was listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site as an extension subject of the Potala Palace. Now, the former summer palace serves as a public park open to both locals and tourists from around the world.

The name ‘Norbulingka’ means ‘Treasure Garden’ in the Tibetan language. It was first built in the mid-18th century and assumed today’s scale through many expansions.

The Norbulingka Park consists of 3 parts: the courtyard in front of the palace, the palace, and the forest. With over 400 sets of rooms, the garden takes up 3.6 square kilometers, among which 3.4 square kilometers are green meadows or woods.

While visiting Norbulingka, you’ll not only explore the historic palaces and monasteries in the park, but also appreciate the unique beauty of the garden, which is very rare in Tibet.

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Highlights of Norbulingka

Architecture and Gardens Combining Both Chinese and Tibetan Styles

Norbulingka is a large garden consisting of multiple buildings. The palaces and monasteries here combine the red walls and golden roofs of the classic Tibetan architecture with the exquisiteness of the traditional Han architecture, showing a perfect combination of the two cultural styles.

Traces of the Lives of Successive Dalai Lamas

Once a summer palace, Norbulingka preserves the palaces where successive Dalai Lamas lived and worked, offering insights into their daily lives, government affairs, and travel patterns. Notable palaces include Kelsang Potrang, Tsokyil Potrang, and Takten Mingyur Potrang (New Summer Palace).

Kelsang Potrang, named after the Seventh Dalai Lama, is the first palace built at Norbulingka. This three-story building retains its original furnishings from its time as a reception hall and council chamber, offering a glimpse into history.

Subsequently, the Eighth, Thirteenth, and Fourteenth Dalai Lamas expanded and constructed new palaces, the Golden Potrang Palace, and Takten Mingyur Potrang, gradually transforming Norbulingka into its present grandeur.

Ancient Thangkas, Murals, and Other Religious Artifacts in Tibet

The palaces in Norbulingka house a vast collection of precious religious artworks, such as thangkas and murals. The treasure of Tibetan culture now houses over 30,000 cultural relics, 7,000 of which are at the State level. These vibrantly colored and meticulously crafted works depict stunning Buddhist stories and the history of Tibet.

For example, the walls of the second floor of Kelsang Potrang are covered with murals depicting children at play, a rare sight in Tibetan Buddhist art. The New Summer Palace also houses over 300 exquisite murals showcasing Tibetan history.

Abundant Greenery and Scenic Gardens

As the world’s highest-located garden at over 3,600 meters above sea level, Norbulingka is praised as the ‘Plateau Oxygen Bar’.

The Norbulingka Park is filled with shady trees, soft grass, and vibrant flowers. It offers a rare sight on the harsh Tibetan Plateau. While strolling through the park, you'll almost forget you're on the Roof of the World. The cozy and relaxing environment makes it a favorite place for local Tibetans to picnic and relax.

Pass through this elegant gate to explore Takten Mingyur Potrang.

Norbulingka at the Shoton Festival: the Best Time to Experience Tibetan Culture

Usually celebrated in August according to the Tibetan Calendar, the Shoton Festival is one of the most popular and important festivals in Tibet.

Besides the giant Thangka unveiling at Drepung Monastery, the Tibetan opera performances and ‘Linka’ picnics in Norbulingka are also popular ways for Tibetans to celebrate the Shoton Festival.

Tibetan opera groups from around Tibet gather in Norbulingka for several days of performances. It’s an amazing chance to enjoy the traditional performances of ancient Buddhist tales.

At the same time, local Tibetans dress in their finest festival attires come to Norbulingka with their families, sitting on the grass under the trees and sharing food and drinks for a joyful ‘Linka’, which means picnic in Tibet.

If you visit Lhasa during the Shoton Festival, don’t miss a chance to experience the grand celebration in Norbulingka with the locals.

During the Shoton Festival, you can enjoy traditional Tibetan opera performances held at Norbulingka Park.

More Insider Tips for Visiting Norblingka

It typically takes 2 to 3 hours to visit Norbulingka. You can explore the palaces on foot and stroll through the park leisurely. If you have more time, you can enjoy a relaxing picnic on the grass, just like the locals do, to experience the relaxed atmosphere of Lhasa.

If you’re short on time, you can take the sightseeing car, which stops at the five major spots in Norbulingka. It takes around 1 hour to explore the essentials of Norbulingka. The ticket for the sightseeing car costs 20 RMB per person.

Summer is the perfect time to visit Norbulingka, when the trees are lush and the flowers are in full bloom. This is also peak tourist season in Tibet, during which both tourists and locals come to the park. So, it's recommended to plan your visit carefully if you go in July and August.

There is also a small zoo in Norbulingka, once the only zoo in Tibet. Today, you can still see animals such as snow leopards, Tibetan wolves, black bears, camels, alpacas, and monkeys in Norbulingka Zoo. The ticket price is 20 RMB for adults and 10 RMB for children, which is not included in the entrance fee.