Potala Palace

Tibet · architecture · history · palaces

Dramatic mountaintop home. Potala Palace sits high on a mountain called Marpo Ri in Lhasa, Tibet's capital. The palace was built in a traditional fortress style called dzong and looks like it's growing right out of the rocky peak.

Home of spiritual leaders. For over 300 years, from 1649 to 1959, the Dalai Lamas (the most important spiritual leaders in Tibetan Buddhism) lived in Potala Palace during winter. It was their official winter residence and seat of power.

Incredible artistic detail. The palace contains thousands of rooms decorated with stunning religious artwork, golden statues, and colorful murals that show the deep spiritual beliefs of Tibetan Buddhists.

Museum for everyone. Today, Potala Palace is no longer a home but a museum that people from around the world visit to learn about Tibetan culture, Buddhism, and the history of the Dalai Lamas.

Built against the odds. Constructing such an enormous palace on a steep mountain without modern machines was an amazing feat of engineering and shows the dedication of the people who built it.