Potala Palace
The most imposing attraction of Lhasa is the Potala Palace (Budalagong), once the centre of the Tibetan government and the winter residence of the Dalai Lama. Each day a stream of chanting pilgrims files through this religious maze to offer khata (ceremonial scarves) or yak butter at one of the innumerable chapels and shrines.
One of the architectural wonders of the world, this immense construction is 13 storeys tall and contains thousands of rooms, shrines and statues. Construction of the present structure began during the reign of the fifth Dalai Lama in 1645 and it took more than 50 years to complete. The first recorded use of the side dates from 7th century AD, when King Songtsen Gampo built a palace here.
The general layout of the Potala includes the White Palace (the main part of the building), the living quarters of the Dalai Lama, and the Red Palace (the central building rising above), for religious functions. The Red Palace contains many halls and chapels-the most stunning chapels house the jewel-bedecked tombs of previous Dalai Lamas. The apartments of the 13th and 14th Dalai Lama, in the White Palace, offer an insight into the high life.The roof gives marvelous views of Lhasa and reign. |
