Top 10 Things to Do for Visiting the Potala Palace

Standing proudly on the Red Hill in Lhasa, the Potala Palace is the most iconic landmark in Tibet. If this is your first trip to Tibet, it is a must-visit site that will leave you in awe with its rich Tibetan cultural heritage, countless Buddhist treasures, and stunning architecture.

So, what can you expect to explore at the Potala Palace? In this travel guide, from admiring its majestic exterior to exploring the White and Red Palaces and experiencing the Potala kora (pilgrimage) and beyond, we will walk you through the top 10 things to do for visiting the Potala Palace, plus insider tips to help you make the most of your visit.

1. Explore the Exterior of the Potala Palace

Before stepping inside, take your time to admire the exterior of the Potala Palace. Its unique fortress-like structure endows it with a grand and splendid appearance. The main building reaches a remarkable height of 115.7 meters, with a total of 13 floors.

Besides, the Potala Palace is made of stone (granite), wood, rammed earth, and the walls are designed to be wider at the bottom and narrower at the top, which helps to make it more stable.

As the palace is set against the backdrop of blue skies on the top of the Red Hill, it forms a masterpiece about the Roof of the World. Just walk on the Potala Palace Square before starting your Potala Palace tour, and you will find a good position to appreciate this architectural wonder. Learn the history of the Potala Palace.

What’s more, if you look closely, you will notice that nearly 80% of the Potala Palace’s walls are painted in white and red. These colors clearly mark the areas of the White Palace and the Red Palace. The golden rooftops, black window frames, and white curtains also blend beautifully together, making the entire palace even more striking to behold.

Our guests take photos with the Potala Palace before entering it.

Explore Potala Palace and other Tibet's landmark attractions in the classic 4-day Lhasa tour.

2. Visit the Main Courtyard of the Potala Palace

The Deyang Shar Courtyard is the main courtyard of Potala Palace and your first stop on a Potala Palace tour. The courtyard was specifically built for the former Dalai Lamas to watch Tibetan opera and host grand celebrations during the festival, like the Tibetan New Year.

With around 1,500m² of spacious courtyard, the seminary and the monks' dormitory used to be there, but now they are used as staff rooms. Don’t miss out on the two giant drums made of horse skin. In the old days, monks would beat them each evening to signal that the gates of the Potala Palace were closing for the night. Then, you can line up to follow the triple stairs that lead up to the White Palace.

Our guests take photos at the Deyang Shar Courtyard before the White Palace.

3. Tour the White Palace of the Potala Palace

The White Palace is the residence of the 5th to 14th Dalai Lamas. Also, it serves as the former offices of the Tibetan government, assembly halls, and other official offices. It is a magnificent white building with seven floors.

Many of them are closed to the public, but the top floor can be visited. Once you reach the rooftop, be sure to visit the private residences of the 13th and 14th Dalai Lamas.

As you step inside, the first room you see is the Throne Room, where the Dalai Lamas would receive official guests. You can admire the large picture of the 13th Dalai Lama and appreciate the exquisite murals that depict the mythical paradise of Shambhala and the Buddha.

From there, follow the path to the reception hall. If you continue onward, you’ll reach the Meditation Room, where a small table still holds the ritual tools once used by the past Dalai Lamas.

Another intriguing place you can explore is the Study of the Dalai Lama, which showcases his personal belongings, including his bedside clock. It gives you a rare glimpse into the daily life of Tibet’s spiritual leader inside this majestic and mysterious palace. Learn more about the Potala Palace inside.

The bed of the past Dalai Lamas in the White Palace.

Explore Potala Palace in Lhasa and its prototype Shigatse Dzong in Shigatse city.

4. Climb 365 Steps to the Red Palace of the Potala Palace

As the world’s highest palace, the Potala Palace sits at 3,700 meters on the Red Hill in Lhasa. Of all the chapels in the Potala, the Red Palace was built for the Dalai Lamas as a house of prayer, which was dedicated to the study of Buddhism. It is located in the center of the Potala Palace complex with mainly three floors. However, there is no elevator to take you to the Red Palace. It means you need to climb 365 steps to reach it.

Besides, since the steps are very steep, we suggest that you visit the Potala Palace on the second or third day in Lhasa. By doing so, it gives your body enough time to get acclimated to Lhasa’s high altitude and can effectively avoid altitude sickness during your Potala Palace visit.

Meanwhile, don’t forget to wear comfy shoes and take it easy when walking up and down the long steps. Just follow your own pace, and feel free to stop and catch your breath when needed. It is an integral part of the Potala travel experience.

Our guests take a break on the stone steps when visiting the Potala Palace.

5. Visit the Great West Hall in the Red Palace

As the best highlights of a Potala Palace tour, the Red Palace is the spiritual heart of the Potala Palace. It was mainly used for Buddhist rituals, quiet meditation, and, most importantly, as a sacred place where stupas (tombs) of the past Dalai Lamas are enshrined.

The Great West Hall is the largest chapel in the Red Palace. You can enjoy the murals on the walls that tell the story of the 5th Dalai Lama’s journey to Beijing to meet Emperor Shunzhi and how he was officially granted the title of Dalai Lama.

Hanging inside the hall, you will also see a plaque with the words “Yong Lian Chu Di” (meaning “the first blooming of a lotus”), written by Emperor Qianlong himself in the Qing Dynasty. It symbolizes that Tibetan Buddhism took root and flourished on Tibetan soil.

Another must-see highlight of the Great West Hall is the amazing 14.84-meter-tall golden stupa of the Fifth Dalai Lama. It is the largest and most luxurious stupa in the entire Potala Palace. It was made of an impressive 3.7 tons of pure gold and adorned with over 20,000 precious stones, including coral, pearls, and turquoise.

The luxurious golden stupa of the fifth Dalai Lama seen in the Great West Hall of the Red Palace.

Visit Potala Palace in Lhasa and keep traveling to Tibet Everest Base Camp to admire amazing Himalayan vistas.

6. Enjoy the Panoramic View of Lhasa Old City from the Potala Palace

As you retrace your steps from Red Hill, you will enjoy a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the panoramic view of Lhasa's old city and enchanting Zongjiao Lukang Park behind the Potala Palace.

Right below, Zongjiao Lukang Park stretches out like an oasis in the heart of Lhasa city. You can see lush willows around the shimmering lake, and locals stroll along the winding paths or relax in small pavilions, and families boating on the calm waters. What a living postcard of Lhasa city!

Beyond the park, Lhasa’s old city stretches across the peaceful Lhasa Valley Plain, with tall and bare mountains in the distance, standing like silent guardians over this sacred land.

It is a view that captures not only the beauty of Lhasa but also your heart. Take your time, walk at your own pace, and fully immerse yourself in this timeless moment. Discover more about the thrilling Lhasa tour.

The view of serene Lhasa city from the Potala Palace.

7. Join the Locals to Experience the Potala Kora

For us Tibetans, the Potala Palace is more than just a landmark. It is seen as a pure land and the sacred home of Chenresig, or Avalokiteshvara (the Buddha of Compassion). That’s why, for over 1,300 years, Potala Palace has been deeply revered as an important place for pilgrimage (kora in Tibetan) and worship.

Potala Kora, also known as “Tsekhor”, is a popular Lhasa pilgrimage circuit that encircles the Potala Palace, taking you past an almost continuous circuit of prayer wheels, stupas, rock paintings, and the Lukhang Temple.

Along the pilgrim circuit, you will pass long rows of big and golden prayer wheels and white juniper burners. Local pilgrims will spin these prayer wheels while chanting Buddhist mantras and walking clockwise around the Potala Palace. Some even prostrate themselves on the ground every few steps to show their reverence and devotion to the Buddhist deities.

As a traveler, you can join the Potala kora with the local pilgrims along the long pilgrim circuit and offer sincere blessings for your family and friends. The aromatic juniper smoke in the air and devoted pilgrims along the kora path will make your Tibet tour experience unforgettable.

Local pilgrims walking clockwise around the Potala Palace.

Seamlessly blend the monastic tour in Lhasa with an in-depth day tour to turquoise Yamdrok Lake.

8. Take a Picture of the Potala Palace at the Best Sites

The moment you lay eyes on fortress-like Potala Palace, you just can’t help but snap a shot of it! Whether you're a professional or just someone who loves taking travel pictures like me, here are three of the best places to photograph the Potala Palace.

Chakpori Hill is one of the best spots to capture the Potala Palace. From here, you can capture the famous 45-degree angle view of the Potala, just like the one on the 50 RMB banknote. It’s right across from the palace, and the best time to go is around 7:00 AM or 9:00 PM, when the soft golden light shines beautifully on the Potala Palace walls.

Potala Palace Square is the second-best spot to shoot the iconic panorama of the front view of the Potala Palace. It’s accessible both in the daytime and at night with a totally different view and experience.

Zongjiao Lukang Park sits right behind the Potala Palace. It offers you a great spot to take beautiful photos of Potala Palace, especially of the rear side of the Potala reflected in the serene lake.

Besides, it’s also a favorite place for local Tibetan families to relax and exercise. In the early morning, you can join friendly locals for a traditional circle dance called Guozhangu, or sit down with local pilgrims at a Tibetan teahouse nearby. You may sip sweet Tibetan tea and try tasty dishes like Tibetan noodles, momos (dumplings), and other local snacks. It’s a peaceful, hidden gem that allows you to enjoy authentic Tibetan life in Lhasa.

In addition, for our guests who are into taking photos of the Potala Palace, we are happy to arrange a convenient local transfer from your hotel straight to your favorite photo spot, right at the best time for the perfect shot.

Alternatively, if you’d like to be in the photo yourself with the Potala Palace, we’ve also got you covered! We offer traditional Tibetan clothing rentals, along with styling and makeup services. Our friendly local photographers will take you to the best spots, like the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street, for a fun and memorable photo session you’ll be proud to take home.

Our guests dress in traditional Tibetan clothes and take photos with the Potala Palace at the Chakpori Hill.

Visit Potala Palace and embark on the classic Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour across mighty Himalayas.

9. Enjoy Night Views of the Potala Palace

During the day, the Potala Palace looks grand and majestic, with its red and white walls shining under the bright Tibetan sun and deep blue sky.

However, as night falls and the city lights are on, especially during the blue hour (minutes just before sunrise and after sunset), the illuminated Potala Palace transforms itself into a glowing jewel on the Lhasa skyline. It is a larger-than-life spectacle you will never forget during your Tibet adventure.

And the best place to enjoy the night view of the Potala Palace is at the Potala Palace Square, right in front of it. Here, you can enjoy such a peaceful and almost surreal experience of the Potala Palace, with fewer crowds, cooler air, and a deeper sense of calm.

What’s more, as an icing on the cake, there is a music fountain and light show in front of the Potala Palace every night from 20:30 to 22:00. The dancing water jets and colorful lights create a magical scene, which is a perfect way to call it a day.

The beautiful mountain fountain show and the glowing Potala Palace seen at the Potala Palace Square at night.

10. Watch the Princess Wencheng Musical with the Potala Palace as the Backdrop

Among Tibet's significant historical events, the intermarriage of Princess Wencheng from the Han Empire and Songtsen Gampo, the Tibetan king of the Tubo Empire, stands as an enchanting and captivating love story. Today, the historical marriage is brought to life through a spectacular live musical performance in Lhasa.

Whether you are a cultural explorer, a photographer, or simply a passionate fan of drama and music, the Princess Wencheng Real-scene Musical will give you an exceptional experience. Furthermore, after the show, you can wear exquisitely made Tibetan clothes to take photos with the main actors on stage. Isn't that exciting?

Besides, for our guests, we can help you secure the tickets for the historical Princess Wencheng drama and offer a convenient local transfer from your hotel the the open-air theatre and beyond to help you make the most of your Lhasa tour.

Our guests enjoy the Princess Wencheng Musical with the Potala Palace as the backdrop.

Conclusion

To first-time visitors to Tibet, visiting the Potala Palace offers you a glimpse into the profound Tibetan Buddhist culture and history. It is more than just a sightseeing stop, but a starting point for a more thrilling Tibet adventure that lies ahead.

Hopefully, you find this travel guide helpful, and if you have more questions about the Potala Palace tour and beyond, don't hesitate to email us for free and expert travel solutions. Looking forward to taking you to experience the jaw-dropping Himalayan landscapes and exotic Tibetan culture on the Roof of the World, Tashi Delek!