7 Best Places to Capture Stunning Photos of Potala Palace in Lhasa 2025

Standing before the Potala Palace, the world’s highest and largest palace, offers an awe-inspiring experience for any visitor. As the most iconic landmark in Tibet, the Potala Palace is one of the most popular subjects for photography, thanks to its massive size, photogenic architecture, and deep spiritual & historical significance in the sacred Lhasa city.

So, whether you are a professional photographer or a normal traveler planning to visit Tibet for the first time, in this travel guide, we will walk you through the 7 best spots to capture epic Potala Palace photos that will wow your friends and followers on Instagram and beyond.

#1 Potala Palace Photo Spot: Chakpori Hill Viewing Platform for Iconic 45°Angle Shots

Chakpori Hill Viewing Platform (also called Yao Wang Shan) is widely believed to be the best place to capture the iconic 45-degree angle photo of the Potala Palace, just like the image printed on the 50 RMB banknote.

Located directly opposite the Potala Palace across the road, Chakpori Hill offers you a slightly elevated viewpoint, which is perfect for capturing the panoramic view of the Potala Palace at both sunrise and sunset.

You can easily walk from the Potala Square to the Chakpori Hill in just 12 minutes. Then, follow a few steps up the hill to the second viewing platform, where you will be rewarded with a postcard-perfect view of the red and white walls of the Potala Palace rising against Lhasa’s azure skyline.

Since sunrise in Lhasa is around 7:00 while sunset is around 21:00, we suggest that you enjoy our convenient transfer service to reach the Chakpori Hill viewing platform about 30 minutes early. This gives you enough time to set up your tripod and patiently wait for the soft golden sunlight gracing the Potala Palace. Believe me, you will capture epic Potala Palace photos for your Instagram feed. Learn how to plan a one-day Lhasa photography tour.

Besides, if you want to take photos yourself with the Potala Palace, we also offer traveler-friendly services like traditional Tibetan costumes rental, styling, and makeup. Our local photography guide will help capture beautiful photos of you with the Potala Palace. What a perfect souvenir photo to take home!

Our guests dress in traditional Tibetan costume and snap epic shots with Potala Palace from Chakpori Hill.

Explore Potala Palace and other Tibet's landmark attractions in a well-paced 4-day Lhasa tour.

#2 Potala Palace Photo Spot: Potala Palace Square to Capture a Perfect Front View of Potala

For the classic front view of the Potala Palace, look no further than the spacious Potala Palace Square, which lies directly opposite the Potala Palace. Here, you can capture a clear and symmetrical shot of the entire Potala structure rising majestically above the Red Hill.

Whether you visit during the day or at night, from the Potala Palace Square, you can enjoy different moods of the Potala. In the daylight, the contrast between the bright white and red walls and the blue Tibetan sky is simply breathtaking.

As night falls, especially during the blue hour just after sunset, the Lhasa streets get quieter and more peaceful, and the Potala Palace is beautifully illuminated, glowing like a jewel against the deep blue sky. You can hardly take your eyes away from this larger-than-life spectacle. What a perfect spot and moment to capture stunning photos of the Potala Palace! Learn more about the Potala Palace at night.

In addition, nowadays, from 20:30 to 22:00 each night, you can enjoy a beautiful music fountain and light show at Potala Palace Square. The dancing water jets and colorful lights make a great foreground for long-exposure shots of the Potala Palace. Highly recommended for travelers and photographers of all kinds.

Our guests enjoy the beautiful music fountain and light show at Potala Palace Square at night.

Seamlessly blend the monastic tour in Lhasa with an in-depth day tour to turquoise Yamdrok Lake.

#3 Potala Palace Photo Spot: Potala Palace Artificial Lake to Shoot Mirror Reflection of Potala

Right next to the east of the Potala Palace Square lies another hidden gem for photographing the Potala Palace. There are two small artificial lakes here that offer you a picture-perfect mirror reflection of the Potala Palace, especially when the water is calm and the skies are clear.

With green willows lining the lakeshore, you can use the lush greenery as a beautiful foreground, adding depth and a natural frame to your photo. The reflection of the Potala Palace shimmering on the serene lake surface creates a striking image that looks almost like a traditional Tibetan painting.

The best times to take photos here are early in the morning around sunrise, when the air is still and the light is soft, or in the late afternoon, especially in autumn, when the trees turn golden. The calm water at these times promises you the clearest reflections of the Potala Palace. Learn more about the Potala Palace tour.

Our guests took photos of Potala Palace using the trees in the foreground at the artificial lake.

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#4 Potala Palace Photo Spot: Zongjiao Lukang Park to Snap Potala’s Back Reflected in the Lake

If you prefer to capture the Potala Palace from a different perspective, Zongjiao Lukang Park is a perfect choice. Located just behind the Potala Palace, this peaceful park has a charming lake known as Longwangtan (Dragon King Pool), and it perfectly reflects the Potala Palace, creating a stunning mirrored image of the Potala that many travelers overlook.

We recommend that you visit Zongjiao Lukang Park in the morning, right after touring the Potala Palace, when the light is soft and the lake is at its calmest, perfect for capturing the back of the Potala Palace reflected in the enchanting lake.

Meanwhile, it is also a great time to experience the vibrant and intriguing local Tibetan life. Locals often gather here to join the traditional Guozhuang (circle) dance and do morning exercises. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, and you can join them for the dance with traditional Tibetan music playing in the background.

Besides, you will often see pilgrims who have just completed the Potala kora (pilgrimage) stop by the teahouse inside the park to sip Tibetan sweet tea, enjoy a bowl of Tibetan noodles, and other local breakfasts. Local families also love to come here to go boating on the serene lake. So, you will not only capture beautiful photos of the Potala Palace from behind but also snap some stunning documentary-style photos of local Tibetan life. Learn more about the Potala Palace surroundings.

Our guests capture the back of Potala Palace reflected in the enchanting lake in the Zongjiao Lukang Park.

Explore Potala Palace in Lhasa and its prototype Shigatse Dzong in Shigatse city.

#5 Potala Palace Photo Spot: Ping Cuo Kang Sang Scenic Restaurant for Potala’s Best Close-up Side View

If you are traveling with your family and looking for a perfect restaurant that offers both an unobstructed close-up view of the Potala Palace and gourmet food for dinner, then Pingcuo Kang Sang Scenic Restaurant is definitely one of your go-to choices.

The restaurant is located on the 6th floor of a modern building just east of the Potala Palace, or about a 20-minute walk from the Potala. What makes this place so special is that it is one of the handful of restaurants in Lhasa where you can sit down for dinner while enjoying an unobstructed panoramic view of the entire Potala Palace right from your table.

For foodies, not only can you enjoy the premium Wagyu hotpot buffet (restaurant's specialty), but also try out a wide variety of Tibetan dishes and desserts, from pan-fried cod and yak meat to eel rice, Häagen-Dazs ice cream, and assorted sashimi platters. So whether you’re a foodie or a photography enthusiast, this spot has something for you.

Besides, since both the daytime and nighttime views of the Potala Palace from here are stunning, it is a great idea to plan a sunset dinner. So, you can capture blue-hour Potala Palace photos and then enjoy the Potala as it gradually lights up after dark. Learn more about Tibetan restaurants in Lhasa.

Travelers enjoy a close-up view of Potala Palace in the Ping Cuo Kang Sang Scenic Restaurant in Lhasa.

Explore Potala Palace in Lhasa and keep traveling to Tibet Everest Base Camp to admire amazing Himalayan vistas.

#6 Potala Palace Photo Spot: Xingyue Putti Café for Distant Views of Potala over Lhasa Streets

If you are exploring around Barkhor Street, another hugely popular spot to capture both the Potala Palace and Lhasa’s bustling streets in one frame is the Xingyue Putti Café. It's just a 3-minute walk across the footbridge from Barkhor Shopping Mall.

This Tibetan-style café spans three floors. Just order a coffee, and you will be warmly welcomed to head up to its third-floor rooftop terrace, where you can enjoy a stunning side view of the Potala Palace, shining under the Tibetan sun with its white and red walls and golden rooftops set against a deep blue sky.

What makes this café one of a photographer’s favorite spots is its unique angle. From here, you can photograph the Potala Palace rising above busy Lhasa streets, with cars and locals moving below. It’s a perfect way to capture the blend of old and new in Lhasa. Even a casual snapshot with your iPhone here looks like a professional photo.

Besides, the café itself is full of Tibetan charm, with a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Colorful prayer flags fluttering in the breeze, warm yellow lighting, and soft Tibetan music playing in the background. The staff are super friendly too. They will even help you find the best angle for your shot!

Our guests take photos with the Potala Palace and Lhasa Street on the rooftop of the Xingyue Putti Café.

#7 Potala Palace Photo Spot: NanShan Park to Capture Epic Distant Views of Potala & Lhasa Valley

For photographers looking to capture the ultimate panorama of the Potala Palace in the peaceful Lhasa Valley as the backdrop, you can enjoy your convenient local transfer service to head across the Lhasa River to Nanshan Park.

From this peaceful hillside park, you can capture sweeping distant views of the entire Potala Palace, with the sprawling Lhasa city nestled beneath the surrounding mountains in Lhasa Valley. There are several viewing platforms at different heights, offering various angles to frame your shot.

If you prefer not to hike too far, just follow the path to the right after entering Nanshan Park. It leads you to a peaceful lake where you can use it as a foreground to capture stunning reflections of the Potala Palace. Alternatively, for a higher, more dramatic angle, just follow the wooden trail up to the mid-hill glass platforms for a sweeping view over the Potala Palace and serene Lhasa Valley.

Besides, since Nanshan Park is quite far from the Potala Palace, it’s best to bring a telephoto (zoom) lens to clearly capture the details of the Potala Palace from a great distance, particularly during sunset and sunrise or after a snowfall in Lhasa in winter, when the scene becomes truly magical.

Our guests take photos of Potala Palace at mid-hill of the Nanshan Park.

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More Insider Tips to Capture Stunning Potala Palace Photos in Lhasa

For most travelers, carrying your iPhone or other smartphone is more than enough to capture stunning photos of the Potala Palace, thanks to the superb visibility, intense sunlight, and deep blue skies of the lofty Tibetan Plateau.

If you have a DSLR or mirrorless camera, we suggest that you bring a versatile zoom lens like (24-120mm, F4) to capture Potala Palace and other iconic landscape attractions in Tibet, such as turquoise Yamdrok Lake, Mt. Everest, and beyond.

Besides, since Tibet is a spiritual realm of Buddhism, while photographing around Potala Palace and other sacred sites, always be respectful of local pilgrims and customs. When you meet local pilgrims walking the kora or prostrating around Potala Palace, please don’t block their way.

If you wish to take photos of local Tibetans, please be respectful and ask for their permission first, with the help of our local guide. In fact, local Tibetans are warm, welcoming, and curious about foreign guests, and they often enjoy taking photos with you.

What’s more, even if you have already visited the Potala Palace during the day, it is well worth taking some time in the evening, either on your own or with your group members to see it again at night, because when the Potala Palace is beautifully lit up after dark, and the atmosphere feels even more magical an surreal.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, the Potala Palace is more than a photo subject. It’s a living symbol of Tibetan faith and history. Hopefully, you find these top 7 spots to view and shoot the Potala Palace and the shared travel tips helpful.

Just enjoy your happy time shooting the Potala Palace and the majestic Himalayan landscapes in Tibet. If you have more questions about visiting Potala Palace and a Tibet tour, don’t hesitate to email us for free and expert travel solutions. Tashi Delek from Lhasa!