🏯 Potala Palace
China
About This Sacred Site
The Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, is one of the most remarkable architectural achievements in the world. Perched atop Red Mountain at an altitude of 3,700 meters, it served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lama for centuries. The palace contains over 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines, and approximately 200,000 statues. The White Palace served as the living quarters while the Red Palace houses chapels and the tombs of eight Dalai Lamas, adorned with gold and precious stones.
Key Facts
- •Stands at 3,700 meters above sea level, one of the highest palaces in the world
- •Contains over 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines, and 200,000 statues
- •Built originally in the 7th century and expanded in the 17th century
- •The current Dalai Lama (14th) fled from here to India in 1959
- •UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1994
Location
Coordinates: 29.6577, 91.1170
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