Search
Pioneer of Tibet Tourism for Overseas Travelers since 1984!
17 Special Facts about Potala Palace: Surprising Details and Hidden Features
The Potala Palace is one of the most well-known sights in Tibet. Apart from its obvious external features and symbolic meaning, there is much more to the palace than what you see from the outside.
Behind its walls are many special facts that are often overlooked. These include why the palace was named this way, how it was built, how people lived and worshipped inside it, and how it is protected today. Each detail helps explain how the Potala Palace has served not only as a landmark of Lhasa, but also as a real place of daily life, belief, and tradition in Tibet.
In this article, you will learn special facts about the Potala Palace that go beyond basic history or sightseeing tips. These simple but important details can help you better understand the palace and see why it remains so unique.
1. The Potala Palace Was Named After the Sacred Mount Potalaka
2. The Potala Palace Was Built as a Royal Center, Not Just for Princess Wencheng
3. The Potala Palace Is Actually Two Palaces in One: the Red Palace and the White Palace
4. It’s the World’s Highest Place, Built at 3,700 Meters Above Sea Level
5. It’s the Tallest Building in Lhasa Old Town
6. There Are More Than 1,000 Rooms Inside the Potala Palace
7. Murals of the Potala Palace Cover More Than 4.5 Basketball Courts (2,500 Square Meters )
8. There Is a Little-Known Prison Hidden Inside the Potala Palace
9. The Potala Palace Houses the Tombs of Eight Dalai Lamas
10. The Majestic Palace Was Built with Stone and Wood Only
11. The Potala Palace is Painted Once A Year with Milk and Honey
12. The Potala Palace was Specially Built to Have 13 Floors
13. The Potala Palace Has Over 365 Steps and No Elevators
14. There Has Been a Kora Route Around the Potala Palace Since the 17th Century
16. You Can Visit Potala Palace for FREE During the Winter Months (November to March)
1. The Potala Palace Was Named After the Sacred Mount Potalaka
The name ‘Potala’ comes from Mount Potalaka, a sacred and symbolic mountain in Buddhist belief, rather than from a real geographic location in Tibet.
In Buddhist tradition, Mount Potalaka is described as the spiritual residence of Avalokiteshvara (Chenrezig in Tibetan), the bodhisattva associated with compassion. Rather than a place that can be identified on a map, Potalaka represents an ideal spiritual realm, often portrayed in scriptures as a mountain rising above the ocean, symbolizing enlightenment and purity.
By choosing the name ‘Potala,’ the palace was intended to represent Buddhist ideals such as compassion, wisdom, and inner cultivation. Its name signals its deeper role as a religious and cultural landmark, rooted in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The name ‘Potala’ comes from Mount Potalaka, a symbolic mountain in Buddhist belief rather than a real place in Tibet.
- Mount Potalaka is described in Buddhist scriptures as an ideal spiritual realm, not a physical location.
- The name highlights the Potala Palace’s religious meaning rather than helping explain why the Potala Palace is regarded as a sacred cultural landmark.
Enjoy the best of Lhasa City in one go!
2. The Potala Palace Was Built as a Royal Center, Not Just for Princess Wencheng
The Potala Palace was not built solely for the marriage with Princess Wencheng, as is often believed. Its construction began after King Songtsen Gampo unified the tribes of the Tibetan Plateau and moved the capital to Lhasa, marking a key chapter in Potala Palace history.
Built on Red Hill, the palace occupied a naturally defensible position overlooking the surrounding area. This strategic location made it difficult to attack and easy to protect, while also clearly displaying royal authority at the heart of the new capital.
After Songtsen Gampo married Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty and Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal, additional palaces and temples were constructed in Lhasa. These buildings were used to house Buddhist statues, scriptures, and cultural envoys brought by the two princesses, helping to support the spread of Buddhism and cultural exchange.
However, the Potala Palace itself was not originally built specifically for the purpose of receiving the princesses. Instead, it served as a royal center that combined political power, defense, and emerging religious influence.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The Potala Palace was built after Songtsen Gampo unified the Tibetan Plateau and established Lhasa as the capital.
- Its location on Red Hill provided strong defensive advantages and symbolized royal authority.
- Princess Wencheng and Princess Bhrikuti contributed to later religious and cultural development in Lhasa.
- The palace was not originally constructed solely to receive the princesses.
The Potala Palace is located on the Red Hill in Lhasa.3. The Potala Palace Is Actually Two Palaces in One: the Red Palace and the White Palace
The Potala Palace is not a single building, but a combination of two distinct palaces, the White Palace and the Red Palace, each serving a different function.
This division is visible even from the outside and reflects how the complex was carefully designed around both daily life and religious practice.
The White Palace, completed earlier, was primarily used for administrative affairs and everyday activities. It contained living quarters, offices, and spaces related to governance, making it the practical center of the complex.
In contrast, the Red Palace occupies the central and highest part of the structure and was dedicated to religious functions. It houses chapels, prayer halls, and sacred spaces, and is visually distinguished by its deep red color.
This separation between the two palaces clearly illustrates how spiritual life was placed at the heart of the entire complex, both symbolically and architecturally.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The Potala Palace consists of two main sections: the White Palace and the Red Palace.
- The White Palace was used for administrative and daily activities.
- The Red Palace served religious purposes and occupies the central, highest position.
- The layout reflects the balance between governance and spiritual practice in Tibetan culture.
Core Comparison Between the White Palace and Red Palace of the Potala Palace
| Aspect of Comparison | The White Palace | The Red Palace |
| Exterior Color | White walls | Deep red walls |
| Position | Lower sections and side wings of the complex | The central and highest part of the complex |
| Main Function | Daily administration and living spaces | Religious worship and spiritual commemoration |
| Key Spaces | Residential rooms, offices, and Sunlight Halls | Major chapels, prayer halls, and tomb stupas |
| Overall Impression | Practical and functional | Sacred and ceremonial |
The Red Palace and the White Palace of the Potala Palace4. It’s the World’s Highest Place, Built at 3,700 Meters Above Sea Level
Sitting at an elevation of about 3,700 meters (12,100 feet), the Potala Palace is recognized as the world’s highest palace.
Rising high above the Lhasa Valley on the top of the Red Hill, the location of the Potala Palace is not only visually striking but also physically extreme.
For visitors today, the high altitude naturally shapes the experience. Many travelers find it more comfortable to visit the Potala Palace after spending a day or two in Lhasa, allowing time to adjust to the thinner air.
With hundreds of steps connecting its levels, the climb encourages a slower pace, reminding you that this is a place where scale and environment are deeply connected.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The Potala Palace sits at an elevation of about 3,700 meters above sea level.
- It is recognized as the world’s highest palace.
- Its location on Red Hill dominates the Lhasa Valley.
- The high altitude is an essential part of the visitor experience.
Located on top of Red Hill, the Potala Palace stands at around 3,700 meters above sea level.5. It’s the Tallest Building in Lhasa Old Town
With a relative height of about 115 meters, the Potala Palace remains the tallest building in Lhasa’s old town.
Located atop Red Hill, the palace rises dramatically above the surrounding city. Traditionally, buildings in Lhasa’s old town were kept low and modest, designed to blend harmoniously with the natural landscape rather than dominate it.
Against this architectural backdrop, the Potala Palace was intentionally built to stand above the city. Its height and position make it both a visual landmark and a spiritual focal point, visible from almost anywhere in the historic center.
Even today, height restrictions in Lhasa’s historic areas help preserve this relationship. As a result, the Potala Palace continues to define the city’s skyline much as it has for centuries.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The Potala Palace has a relative height of approximately 115 meters.
- It remains the tallest building in Lhasa’s old town.
- Traditional buildings in the old town were historically kept low in height.
- Height restrictions help preserve the palace’s dominance over the city skyline.
Beyond its height within the old town, the Potala Palace can also be appreciated from several elevated viewpoints across the city. How to See the Potala Palace from a Different Perspective?
Although the Potala Palace is the tallest structure in Lhasa’s old town, there are now several elevated viewpoints around the city that offer a completely different way to appreciate its scale and setting.
From these higher vantage points, you can look down on the palace and observe how it rises above the traditional urban fabric, revealing a broader relationship between the palace, the old town, and the surrounding mountains.
The best places to view the Potala Palace include Nanshan Park, Yaowangshan near Potala Square, and the hillside behind Sera Monastery along the Sera Trekking Trail. Each offers a unique angle that highlights the palace’s dominance over the city from above rather than below.
Yaowangshan near the Potala Square, is one of the best places to view the Potala Palace.6. There Are More Than 1,000 Rooms Inside the Potala Palace
The Potala Palace contains 1,267 rooms in total, making it far larger on the inside than most visitors expect. Exploring the Potala Palace inside reveals an intricate network of halls, chapels, corridors, and hidden spaces spread across the White Palace and the Red Palace.
Spanning multiple levels across the White Palace and the Red Palace, the complex is made up of an intricate network of halls, chapels, corridors, storage rooms, and living spaces. The layout developed over centuries, resulting in a structure that feels more like a self-contained city than a single palace.
Many of these rooms served highly specific purposes. Some were used for religious ceremonies and meditation, others for administration, storage, or daily life. Long, narrow corridors connect the spaces, while stairways link different levels of the palace, creating a maze-like interior that reflects both practical needs and spiritual traditions.
Nowadays, only a small portion of these rooms is open to the public. This limited access helps protect the palace’s fragile interiors, murals, and wooden structures, while also hinting at the immense scale hidden behind its massive walls.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The Potala Palace contains more than 1,000 rooms in total.
- The rooms are distributed across the White Palace and the Red Palace.
- Interior spaces include chapels, halls, living quarters, storage rooms, and corridors.
- Only a limited number of rooms are accessible to visitors today.
Join the classic Lhasa City tour for an essential exploration of the holy city!
7. Murals of the Potala Palace Cover More Than 4.5 Basketball Courts (2,500 Square Meters )
Mural art is one of the most magnificent and defining features of the Potala Palace, with painted surfaces covering more than 2,500 square meters throughout the complex, roughly equivalent to about 4.5 international-standard basketball courts.
Murals appear in almost every interior space of the palace, decorating walls, ceilings, corridors, and chapels. Rather than being confined to a few exhibition areas, these colorful and vivid paintings surround visitors as they move through the palace, making Tibetan mural art an integral part of the entire architectural experience.
Among the most remarkable examples are the 698 murals lining the painted corridor on the second floor. These murals are especially valued for their richness and detail, depicting Buddhist stories alongside scenes of ancient Tibetan life, including local landscapes, customs, and legends. Together, they offer a rare visual record of both religious beliefs and everyday culture in historical Tibet.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Murals inside the Potala Palace cover more than 2,500 square meters in total.
- Painted surfaces appear throughout rooms, corridors, chapels, and stairways.
- The second-floor corridor alone features 698 murals depicting Buddhist themes and ancient Tibetan life.
- The total mural area is roughly equal to 4.5 FIBA-standard basketball courts (28 m*15 m).
Murals appear in almost every interior space of the Potala Palace.8. There Is a Little-Known Prison Hidden Inside the Potala Palace
Surprisingly, there is a small prison, called ‘Snow Prison’, hidden at the base of the southern face of the Red Hill beneath the main structure of the Potala Palace.
This detention space was not a large or formal prison in the modern sense, but a limited area used historically to hold prisoners or discipline offenders. It reflected the palace’s complex role as not only a religious and cultural center, but also a place where authority and order were maintained.
Today, this area has been transformed into a restored exhibition space. Through reconstructed scenes and displays, it offers insight into historical Tibetan life and the lesser-known aspects of Tibet’s past, adding another layer to your understanding of the site.
Key Facts at a Glance
- A small prison once existed within the Potala Palace.
- It was used historically to detain or discipline offenders rather than serve as a large-scale jail.
- The prison is located at the foot of the Potala Palace, on the southern side of the palace.
- The space has been converted into a restored exhibition area open to visitors.
The Snow Prison at the foot of the Potala Palace.9. The Potala Palace Houses the Tombs of Eight Dalai Lamas
You may be surprised to learn that the Potala Palace is not only a palace, but also the final resting place of eight Dalai Lamas.
These burial structures are located mainly within the Red Palace, the spiritual heart of the complex. Instead of being simple tombs, they take the form of monumental stupas, carefully built to honor the spiritual leaders after their passing.
Richly decorated with gold, silver, and precious stones, the stupas are among the most striking features inside the palace. Some rise several stories high, drawing your attention not just for their size, but for the craftsmanship and devotion they represent.
The stupas in the Red Palace house the remains of the 5th, 7th, 8th, 9th, and 13th Dalai Lamas. The stupas of the 5th Dalai Lama are the most magnificent. Below is a comparison of the main stupas in the Potala Palace:
Comparison of Major Dalai Lama Stupas in the Potala Palace
| Stupa of (Attribution) | Approx. Period | Relative Size | Why It Stands Out |
| 5th Dalai Lama | Late 17th Century (1690-1693) | Largest (approx. 14.85m) | Most magnificent stupa, richly covered with gold and gemstones |
| 13th Dalai Lama | Early 20th Century (1934-1936) | Second largest (approx. 14m) | Noted for detailed murals depicting key moments of his life |
| 7th Dalai Lama | Mid-18th Century | Medium | Continues the lavish decorative tradition |
| 8th Dalai Lama | Late 18th Century | Smaller (approx. 9m) | Known for fine carving and artistic craftsmanship |
| 9th Dalai Lama | Early 19th Century | Smallest | Built for a Dalai Lama who passed away at a young age |
Key Facts at a Glance
- The Potala Palace houses the tomb stupas of eight Dalai Lamas.
- Most of these tombs are located within the Red Palace.
- The burial structures are large, elaborately decorated stupas rather than simple graves.
- Their presence explains why the Red Palace forms the spiritual core of the complex.
The amazing golden stupa of the Fifth Dalai Lama in the Red Palace of the Potala Palace.10. The Majestic Palace Was Built with Stone and Wood Only
The vast and imposing Potala Palace was built almost entirely using just two materials: stone and wood.
The massive exterior walls are constructed from solid granite, giving the palace its strength and fortress-like appearance. At the same time, the roofs, beams, and internal structures are made of wood, providing durability and flexibility despite the building’s enormous size and high-altitude environment of the Tibetan Plateau.
Relying on these two materials alone reflects a remarkably advanced level of architectural knowledge for its time. Without modern materials such as steel or reinforced concrete, builders had to carefully balance weight, calculate load-bearing capacity, and ensure structural stability across multiple levels.
This deliberate combination of stone and wood allowed the Potala Palace to withstand the harsh climate of the Tibetan Plateau, absorb natural movement, and endure for centuries. It is this sophisticated craftsmanship that makes the palace not only a visual landmark but also one of the most enduring large-scale structures of its era.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The Potala Palace was built primarily using stone and wood.
- The exterior walls are made of granite, while the roofs and structural elements are wooden.
- The combination of stone and wood helped the palace withstand harsh climate conditions at high altitude.
11. The Potala Palace is Painted Once A Year with Milk and Honey
One of the most unusual maintenance practices at the Potala Palace is that its exterior walls are traditionally repainted once a year using a mixture that includes milk and honey.
This practice is part of long-standing local traditions aimed at protecting and preserving the palace’s massive walls. When combined with lime and natural pigments, milk and honey help improve adhesion and durability, forming a protective layer suited to the dry, high-altitude climate of the Tibetan Plateau.
Beyond their practical function, these natural ingredients also carry symbolic meaning, reflecting ideas of purity, offering, and care. The annual whitewash of Potala Palace is therefore both a conservation process and a ritual act, reinforcing the palace’s cultural and spiritual significance.
Through this careful and regular maintenance, the Potala Palace has retained its bright white appearance and structural integrity for centuries, despite exposure to intense sunlight, strong winds, and extreme temperature swings.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The exterior walls of the Potala Palace are traditionally repainted once a year.
- The coating mixture includes natural ingredients such as milk and honey.
- These materials help protect the walls in a dry, high-altitude environment.
- The practice reflects both practical conservation methods and cultural tradition.
The Potala Palace’s exterior walls are traditionally repainted annually with a mixture of milk and honey.12. The Potala Palace was Specially Built to Have 13 Floors
The Potala Palace was built with 13 floors, which deeply rooted in Tibetan Buddhist symbolism.
In Tibetan Buddhist tradition, the number thirteen is associated with the spiritual path of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva to whom the Potala Palace is dedicated. According to Buddhist teachings, this path is often described as progressing through thirteen stages of realization, representing a complete journey from ordinary existence to ultimate enlightenment.
By embodying this concept in its vertical design, the Potala Palace transforms architecture into a symbolic representation of spiritual ascent. Moving upward through the palace can be understood as a physical reflection of an inner path of cultivation, with each level bringing one closer to sacred spaces at the summit.
The 13-story structure of the Potala Palace brings abstract religious ideas to life. Its height and layered design are not just practical but represent a worldview where architecture, belief, and spiritual goals are deeply connected, making the palace a unique example of religious philosophy in architecture.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The Potala Palace was deliberately built with 13 floors.
- In Tibetan Buddhism, the number thirteen is linked to stages of spiritual realization.
- The vertical structure reflects a symbolic journey toward enlightenment.
- The palace’s design integrates religious belief directly into its architectural form.
Discover the Potala Palace with our classic Lhasa city tour!
13. The Potala Palace Has Over 365 Steps and No Elevators
As you explore the Potala Palace, you’ll quickly notice that the 13-story complex has no elevators and relies entirely on stairways.
Its vertical layout is connected through a network of stairs and corridors winding upward through the White Palace and the Red Palace, linking administrative spaces, living quarters, chapels, and sacred halls.
In total, there are more than 365 steps inside the palace. Climbing them is therefore a physical experience as much as a visual one. At an altitude of around 3,700 meters, the ascent naturally encourages you to slow down, take frequent pauses, and move at a steady pace to avoid altitude sickness while visiting the Potala Palace.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The Potala Palace contains more than 365 steps in total.
- There are no elevators inside the palace.
- All movement between levels is done via stairways and corridors.
- The design encourages a slow, gradual exploration, especially at high altitude.
Take frequent pauses when climbing the Potala Palace stairs.14. There Has Been a Kora Route Around the Potala Palace Since the 17th Century
When you visit the Potala Palace, you’ll notice locals walking clockwise around the hill. This is the popular Potala Kora, also known as the Tsekhor Kora in Lhasa, that has existed since the 17th century.
As one of the pilgrim circuits in Lhasa, this open-air path encircles the entire Red Hill beneath the Potala Palace and forms the most classic kora route around the site. A full kora around the Potala Palace typically takes about 40 minutes to one hour to complete, following a gentle slope around the hillside.
As you walk along the route, you’ll pass rows of prayer wheels, incense burners, stupas, and mani stones carved with Buddhist scriptures. The path is constantly animated by pilgrims and local residents, offering a vivid glimpse into the everyday religious life of Lhasa rather than a staged or ceremonial experience.
You’re welcome to join the local pilgrims and walk clockwise along the kora. From different points along the path, the Potala Palace reveals changing perspectives, allowing you to experience both the monument itself and the living traditions that continue to surround it.
Key Facts at a Glance
- A kora (circumambulation) route has existed around the Potala Palace since the 17th century.
- The path circles the entire Red Hill beneath the palace.
- Completing the full circuit takes about 40 minutes to one hour.
- The route is lined with prayer wheels, stupas, incense burners, and mani stones, and remains actively used today.
Local pilgrims are walking clockwise around the Potala Palace for the kora.15. Only A Limited Number of Visitors Are Allowed Each Day (5,000 in Peak Season & 4,000 in Low Season)
To protect the Potala Palace and ensure a manageable visitor experience, daily entry to the Potala Palace is strictly limited.
Because of its fragile wooden structures, ancient murals, and narrow interior corridors, unrestricted access would cause long-term damage. For this reason, the number of visitors allowed inside the palace each day is carefully controlled and varies by season.
During the peak travel season (May 1 to October 31), when visitor demand is highest, daily entry is capped at 5,000 people. In the low season (November 1 to April 20 of the following year), the limit is reduced to 4,000 visitors per day, allowing for quieter visits and easier crowd management.
The Potala Palace tickets are issued with specific entry times rather than open access, helping to reduce congestion inside the palace. For you as a visitor, this means advance planning is essential, especially during the peak season, to secure a preferred date and time slot.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Daily visitor numbers to the Potala Palace are strictly limited.
- Peak season (May 1–October 31): 5,000 visitors per day.
- Low season (November 1–April 20): 4,000 visitors per day.
- Entry is managed through a timed admission system to protect the palace.
It is essential to make an early reservation for your Potala Palace tour.16. You Can Visit Potala Palace for FREE During the Winter Months (November to March)
If you visit the Potala Palace in winter, you can actually enter for free, which is a detail many travelers don’t realize.
Free admission is usually available from November to March, when temperatures are lower and visitor numbers drop. Exact dates may vary slightly from year to year. This seasonal policy is meant to encourage travel during the quieter months, when the palace is far less crowded than in summer.
Even during the free-entry period, access is still carefully managed. Daily visitor limits and timed entry slots remain in place, so you’ll still need to reserve a ticket in advance rather than simply walking in.
For you, a Tibet winter tour offers a more peaceful way to experience the Potala Palace. With fewer people inside the palace, you’ll have more space to move at your own pace and take in the architecture and murals without the rush of peak season.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The Potala Palace offers free admission during the winter months.
- Free entry usually runs from November to March.
- Visitor limits and timed entry rules still apply.
- A winter visit to the Potala Palace offers a more authentic experience with fewer crowds.
You can visit Potala Palace for FREE during the winter months.17. The Potala Palace Will Be Lit Up at Night
When night falls in Lhasa, you can see the Potala Palace light up, standing quietly against the dark outline of Red Hill.
The soft lighting brings out the contrast between the palace’s white outer walls and the deep red central structure, making its layered shape easier to appreciate after dark. Details that blend into the daylight become more defined under the night sky.
Enjoying the night view of the Potala Palace is a very different feeling from visiting during the day. Without the crowds and movement, the palace appears calmer and more distant, inviting you to pause rather than rush. Many travelers find this moment unexpectedly memorable, even without stepping inside.
The lighting schedule varies by season. In winter, the palace is usually lit up around 7:00 pm, while in summer the lights may come on later, around 8:15 pm, due to the longer daylight hours. The lights are typically turned off between 11:00 pm and midnight, depending on the season.
The nighttime lighting has become part of the experience of Lhasa day tours. Simply standing nearby and watching the illuminated palace can be one of the most peaceful ways to take in its scale and presence.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The Potala Palace is illuminated after dark.
- In winter, the lights usually turn on around 7:00 pm; in summer, around 8:15 pm.
- Lighting is typically switched off between 11:00 pm and midnight.
- You can enjoy the night view of the Potala Palace from surrounding areas without entering the site.
Enjoy the night view of Potala Palace in Lhasa.
See the best of Lhasa in one seamless tour!
Conclusion
The Potala Palace may look impressive at first glance, but the special facts behind it show that there is much more to discover than what you see from the outside.
Once you know these details, such as why the palace was named the way it was, how it was built, how people move through it, and how it is cared for today, you start to see it differently. Hidden rooms, ancient murals, seasonal visitor limits, and even the way the palace lights up at night all help explain how the Potala Palace works as a living place, not just a famous building.
Taken together, these special facts make the Potala Palace easier to understand and appreciate. They turn a well-known landmark into a place full of stories, thoughtful design, and everyday meaning, showing why the Potala Palace remains so unique, even after centuries.
Email me about your travel idea
