Discover the Potala Palace

The Potala Palace towers over the low-rise city of Lhasa, and is a constant presence during anyone's stay there. The winter residence of the Dalai Lamas until the current Dalai Lama left Tibet in 1959, the Potala is a treasure and a treasure house. It contains the golden handwritten Buddhist scriptures, valuable gifts from Chinese emperors, and a lot of priceless antiques. There are many colourful sculptures and paintings chronicling Buddhist folklore and ancient Tibetan life. The Potala Palace deserves the title of art gallery and museum; it is also a symbol of the wisdom and power of the Tibetan people. In 1994 it was listed as an UNESCO world cultural heritage site. A visit to the site includes a large number of steps, which can be a challenge if you have just arrived at high altitude. But the effort is well-rewarded with sweeping views over the city and valley, and by the treasures which are contained within.