The Potala Palace dominates the skyline of Lhasa like a mountain made of stone. For centuries, this massive red and white fortress served as the winter home of the Dalai Lama. It sits so high up that it actually touches the clouds. Pilgrims spin prayer wheels at its base, while tourists gasp for air on its steep steps. Furthermore, its walls hide enough gold to buy a small country. Prepare to climb to the roof of the world.
Potala Palace
It stands as the highest ancient palace in the world. Specifically, it sits 3,700 meters above sea level. Therefore, visitors often struggle with altitude sickness while climbing the steps.
The complex features the world’s deepest toilet drop. Surprisingly, waste falls nearly sixty meters down the side of the mountain. Consequently, you never have to flush this ancient system.
Builders used a sweet mixture to paint the walls. Traditionally, locals mix milk, sugar, and honey into the whitewash. Thus, the Potala Palace actually tastes sweet if you lick it.
Zhou Enlai personally saved it from destruction. During the Cultural Revolution, the Chinese Premier ordered troops to protect it. Fortunately, this order prevented the Red Guards from looting the site.
You must climb over 400 steep steps to reach the entrance. Because the air is thin, this climb feels incredibly difficult. Therefore, tourists must take breaks to catch their breath.
The rooftop tombs contain thousands of kilograms of gold. Specifically, the stupa of the fifth Dalai Lama uses 3,700 kilograms of gold. Consequently, it ranks as one of the most valuable tombs globally.
Interestingly, the Potala Palace contains over 1,000 distinct rooms. It served as the winter residence for the Dalai Lamas. However, monks only open a small fraction to the public today.
Ancient architects built it without using steel or nails. Instead, they used copper, wood, and stone to construct the walls. Thus, it remains a marvel of traditional Tibetan engineering.
Distinctly, the complex divides into the Red Palace and the White Palace. The White Palace served as the living quarters and government offices. Meanwhile, the Red Palace hosted religious study and prayer.
To protect against earthquakes, they poured molten copper into the foundation. This unique technique strengthened the base against tremors. As a result, the Potala Palace stood strong for centuries.
It houses over 10,000 painted scrolls called thangkas. Monks carefully preserved these colorful religious artworks for hundreds of years. Therefore, the collection offers a priceless look into Tibetan history.
Authorities limit visitor time inside to just one hour. Because the wooden structure is fragile, crowds must move quickly. Consequently, you cannot linger too long in the sacred halls.
Historically, the treasury below the palace held the government’s wealth. It contained gold dust, coins, and precious gems. Thus, it functioned as the national bank of Tibet.
Impressively, over 200,000 statues reside within the complex. Pilgrims travel from all over Tibet to pray before them. Consequently, the air inside always smells of burning yak butter lamps.
The name comes from Mount Potalaka in India. Mythologically, this mountain serves as the dwelling of the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. Thus, the Potala Palace represents a holy mountain on earth.
