What can you see at the 'Palace in the Sky', the Potala Palace~
Lhasa, my dream city, is the roof of the world, where purity and devotion abound, and the power of faith is infinite. It's a place I've wanted to visit since my university days, and finally, ten years later, I've set foot here. The Potala Palace is a landmark of Lhasa, which I always saw on TV, but you can only truly feel its purity and magnificence when you actually walk inside.
📍📍What's at the Potala Palace: The Potala Palace was originally built during the reign of Songtsen Gampo of the Tubo Dynasty, but it was mostly destroyed by war, and now only the Phakpa Lhakhang, the oldest structure, remains. The current Potala Palace was started by the Fifth Dalai Lama and expanded by successive Dalai Lamas to its present twelve-story scale. The main structures of the Potala Palace are the following three parts.
🌈🌈Snow City: The buildings at the foot of the mountain, which were the residences and offices of officials of the former Tibetan local government, the Kashag. The walls are snow-white, and it is said that they contain milk ingredients.
🌈🌈White Palace: The winter residence of the successive Dalai Lamas, as well as their office for handling affairs of state, with a total of seven floors, it is also the core area of the Potala Palace.
🌈🌈Red Palace: Mainly consists of the eight stupas of the Fifth to the Thirteenth Dalai Lamas and various Buddhist halls. Here is also enshrined a portrait of Emperor Qianlong, and in the center of the main hall are statues of Songtsen Gampo, Princess Wencheng, and Princess Chizun.
📍📍Potala Palace Visiting Tips:
1⃣The off-season ticket price for the Potala Palace is 100 (October to April of the following year), and the peak season ticket price is 200 (May to October). For ticket reservations, it is recommended to join a tour group for explanations and reservations. Otherwise, in the off-season, you can reserve one or two days in advance, and in the peak season, you should reserve at least ten days in advance. It is said that the best time to grab tickets is between 7:30 and 8:30 a.m., and everyone must go through security one hour before the reservation time.
2⃣When going to Tibet, make sure to bring your ID card. After entering the Potala Palace Square, your ID card will be checked three times. Also, pay attention to your attire; do not wear short skirts, remove hats when entering the Buddhist halls, and do not wear sunglasses.
3⃣The general visiting time for the Potala Palace is three hours. If you encounter meal times, make sure to bring some food with you. There is a Potala Palace Cafe at the foot of the mountain where you can buy some food and drinks.
📍📍How to Photograph the Potala Palace
🍭Potala Palace Square: Right in front of the Potala Palace, the best place to capture the reflection of the palace, especially when there is a reflection on a clear day, and it is also beautiful at night.
🍭Nanshan Park: One spot is next to the small lake in Nanshan Park, and another is at the viewing platform.
🍭Yaowang Mountain: The fifty yuan RMB note viewpoint, be sure to bring a fifty yuan note for a photo check-in.
🍭Xingyue Bodhi Cafe: An internet-famous cafe, their viewing platform is also a good spot for photography, but you need to make a purchase at the cafe.
There are other good photography spots, but these are the ones I have visited.
In short, the Potala Palace, the place closest to the sky, makes you feel especially pure in your heart. If you have the chance, you must visit at least once.
The architectural style of the Potala Palace combines two elements of Tibetan and Han, highlighting the characteristics of national unity and cultural integration. This is not only a treasure of history and culture, but also a treasure of human civilization, perfect!
Guide Yuan is super cute and serious and responsible. Contact us one day in advance to tell us the best place to get off, route and meeting point. The explanation is patient and meticulous, very professional, and patiently answers our questions one by one. The cloth palace has her explanation, and every step of the walk has become interesting and vivid!
The second time I came to Potala, this time the tour guide Sasha found through Trip.com was simply great. She was very responsible for her enthusiasm and generosity. From contacting me as soon as I placed an order, to reminding me what I had to bring, what I didn't bring, and then to lead us to play on the same day, everything was meticulous. Not to mention the professionalism, Tibetan language is first-class, Tibetan history, Tibetan Buddhism history are very good, there is a feeling of academic research students. Follow her explanation, there is no hard feeling from climbing down to the top, and there is no sales. At the end of the tour, we feel that the time is too fast and the feeling is still unfinished. I hope everyone can find Sasha with good luck, she will definitely add color to your trip to Lhasa.
Come to the place where you are excited. I love it too much, that is, the temple is always reminded to go, and I can't stay more. 🥹 understandable, difficult to accept...hahaha
The guide Hu who took us is still very professional~ The knowledge reserve is in place, no loss in Lhasa, the style is excellent and can win the war