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Potala Palace History Unveiled: Fascinating Facts and Historic Moments Every Traveler Should Know
Perched high above the Red Hill in sacred Lhasa city, the Potala Palace is more than an architectural wonder. It is actually a living museum that has borne witness to many defining moments in Tibetan history.
So, whether you are a history buff or a first-time visitor planning to visit Tibet, in this travel guide, we will walk you through some key Potala Palace facts and history, from its early construction by Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo over 1,300 years ago to the major expansion under the Fifth Dalai Lama, plus helpful insider tips before you step into this majestic palace.
When Was the Potala Palace Built? Originally Built in Lhasa in 635 AD by King Songtsen Gampo
Was the Potala Palace Really Built for Princess Wencheng? No, Here’s the Truth
Why Is It Called the Potala Palace? Believed to be the Residence of Chenresig
Is the Potala Palace We See Today the Same One Built by Songtsen Gampo? Not Exactly
When Was the Potala Palace Built? Originally Built in Lhasa in 635 AD by King Songtsen Gampo
The story of the Potala Palace dates back to the 7th century, when the 33rd Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo, unified the Tibetan Empire (Tubo) in 633 AD at the age of 16. He decided to move Tibet’s capital from Shannan to the fertile Lhasa Valley for its strategic location in central Tibet.
Originally, King Songtsen Gampo discovered two natural caves on Red Hill in Lhasa Valley and used them as his meditation retreat. Red Hill is the highest spot in the Lhasa River valley plain. Its steep slopes and sweeping views of the Lhasa Valley made it a perfect place for a defensive fortress and royal residence. Because of this, the king decided to build his royal palace on the Red Hill around 635 AD, which later became known as the Potala Palace.
According to historical records, the earliest Potala Palace, commissioned by Songtsen Gampo, was built using stone, wood, and rammed earth. Back then, it was a massive structure, with three outer walls and a thousand rooms inside. The entire palace was painted white, standing tall on Red Hill, looking both sacred and majestic. Learn how to get to the Potala Palace in Lhasa.
(Simple click to enlarge the map)The location of Potala Palace and the Red Hill in Lhasa Valley.
Explore Potala Palace and other Tibet's iconic attractions in a well-paced Lhasa tour in 4 days.
Was the Potala Palace Really Built for Princess Wencheng? No, Here’s the Truth
One of the common misconceptions about Potala Palace history is that King Songtsen Gampo built the Potala Palace as a gesture of love for his wife, Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty. While that is a popular story in folklore, historical records tell a different story. Learn the story between Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng.
In fact, the Potala Palace was already built in 635 AD, 8 years before Princess Wencheng arrived in Lhasa from Chang’an (Xi’an) in 643 AD. Meanwhile, even though the king did build rooms inside the Potala Palace for his Chinese bride, the original construction of the Potala Palace certainly wasn’t for that purpose.
Instead, as a powerful and visionary king, Songtsen Gampo built the Potala Palace to show his royal authority and establish a strong political center for governing the Tibetan Plateau. He chose Red Hill for its strategic location and wide views over the Lhasa Valley, making it the perfect place to build a royal palace that showed his power and ambition.
Our guests took photos of the Potala Palace from the Chakpori Hill in Lhasa.
Explore Potala Palace in Lhasa and its prototype Shigatse Dzong in the 6-day Lhasa to Shigatse cultural tour.
Why Is It Called the Potala Palace? Believed to be the Residence of Chenresig
The name “Potala Palace” comes from the Sanskrit word Potalaka, also known in Chinese as Putuo, which is believed to be the mythical home of Chenresig, or Avalokiteshvara (the Buddha of Compassion).
For us Tibetans, the name of Potala carries deep spiritual meaning. We believe that both King Songtsen Gampo and the former Dalai Lamas are the human form of Chenresig. That’s why the Potala Palace built on Red Hill is seen not just as a royal residence, but as the sacred home of Chenresig himself, a pure land filled with holiness and blessings.
So, for travelers, you can take Potala Palace not just as a symbol of Tibet but also a powerful reminder of Tibetans’ deep Buddhist faith and devotion to compassion. Learn the top 10 things to do for visiting Potala Palace.
Local Tibetans making full-body prostration and walking the kora before the Potala Palace. 
Cover Tibet's landmark attractions in downtown Lhasa and secluded Tibetan monasteries in its suburbs.
Is the Potala Palace We See Today the Same One Built by Songtsen Gampo? Not Exactly
The Potala Palace we see today isn’t exactly the one King Songtsen Gampo built in the 7th century. While he did build the original Potala Palace on Red Hill, most of it was sadly destroyed over time due to wars, fires, and even lightning strikes, especially after the 9th century.
However, fortunately, two of the original meditation caves used by King Songtsen Gampo have survived to this day. These are the Phakpa Lhakhang (Chapel of Arya Lokeshvara) and Chogyal Drupuk (Songtsen Gampo’s Meditation Chamber), both tucked away inside the Red Palace of the Potala Palace. They are the oldest and most precious historical sites in the entire Potala Palace. Learn what is inside the Potala Palace.
In 1645, the Fifth Dalai Lama decided to rebuild and expand the old Potala Palace left by King Songtsen Gampo. With financial support from the Qianlong Emperor of the Qing Dynasty, the White Palace was completed four years later in 1649.
In the same year, the Fifth Dalai Lama moved in from Drepung Monastery to the White Palace of the Potala Palace as his new home and administrative office. This historic event marked a turning point, transforming Potala Palace into the political and spiritual center of Tibet.
After the Fifth Dalai Lama passed away, the regent Sangye Gyatso continued to rebuild and expand the Potala Palace, and the Red Palace was completed in 1693. Later, successive Dalai Lamas added the golden rooftops and other attached buildings.
By 1936, after the stupa of the 13th Dalai Lama was completed, the Potala Palace had finally taken on its full glory as we see it today. With over 1,267 rooms, it includes everything from palaces and chapels to government offices, Buddhist schools, and monks’ living quarters and beyond. The entire complex covers over 130,000 m² and rises 115.7 meters high.
Our guests took photos with the White Palace of Potala Palace in the eastern courtyard.
Perfectly blend the monastic tour in Lhasa with an in-depth day tour to explore the turquoise holy Yamdrok Lake nearby.
Is Potala Palace Still Used? Who Lives in Potala Palace Now? It’s a UNESCO Heritage Site and a Museum
Though the Potala Palace is no longer used as it was in the past, it still stands tall in the hearts of Tibetans. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a living museum where travelers can admire its ancient murals, explore countless Buddhist treasures, and experience a rich spiritual legacy. Learn the ultimate guide to visiting Potala Palace.
Since the time of the 5th Dalai Lama, 10 Dalai Lamas have lived here, and eight of their sacred stupas (tombs) are still enshrined inside the Red Palace. Among them, the golden stupa of the Fifth Dalai Lama is the largest and most luxurious, built to honor his great contributions to the Potala Palace and Tibetan culture.
One thing worth mentioning is that the Potala Palace is not entirely empty. A small group of monks, mostly members of the Tibetan Buddhist Association, and staff still live and work inside to maintain the Potala Palace and preserve its cultural heritage.
Our guests took photos with monks seen at the Potala Palace.
Visit Potala Palace and other must-see attractions in Lhasa and journey from Lhasa to Tibet Everest Base Camp.
What Historic Treasures Are Hidden Inside the Potala Palace? Tons of Priceless Buddhist Relics and Gems.
Potala Palace is truly a treasure trove of Tibetan culture and history.
As you step into the Red Palace, which is the central part and the best highlight of the Potala Palace, you can explore two of the oldest caves (Phakpa Lhakhang and Chogyal Drupuk) in the Potala Palace, where King Songtsen Gampo used to meditate and appreciate the priceless sandalwood statue of Arya Lokeshvara and the statues of Songtsen Gampo, his Chinese wife Princess Wencheng, and his Nepali wife Princess Bhrikuti, and beyond.
Inside the Chapel of Victory over the Three Worlds, you can see the golden statue of the thousand-armed Buddha of Compassion, the most precious treasure of the Potala Palace. The centerpiece Thangka (Buddhist scrolls) shows Emperor Qianlong in a monk’s robes, with blessings for his long life written in Tibetan, Chinese, Mongolian, and Manchurian.
Another highlight is to explore the Great West Hall, the largest hall in the entire Potala Palace. Here, you can worship the grand 14.84-meter-tall golden stupa of the Fifth Dalai Lama. It was made of dazzling 3.7 tons of pure gold and over 20,000 precious stones, including coral, pearls, and turquoise.
Besides, you can enjoy tons of ancient Thangkas, exquisite murals, and rare Buddhist scriptures that have been protected for centuries, and truly feel the spirit of Tibet’s past whisper through every hall and sacred wall.
In the White Palace, which was once the living and administrative quarters of the past Dalai Lamas. Here, you can explore the Dalai Lama’s private rooms, audience halls, and the official offices where he once governed. It offers you a rare glimpse into the mysterious daily life of past Dalai Lamas. Even the furniture, murals, and preserved relics here quietly echo stories of the past.
The largest and luxurious golden stupa of the Fifth Dalai Lama in the Red Palace.
Enjoy the classic Lhasa to Kathmandu overland tour across the mighty Himalayas with our smooth border transfer service.
More Insider Tips for Learning the History of Potala Palace
Apart from visiting Potala Palace itself, there are many other great ways for you to learn more about the history of Potala Palace.
Firstly, don’t miss the chance to watch the popular historical opera "Princess Wencheng" in Lhasa at night. It’s an entertaining and large-scale outdoor performance under the stars where actors and actresses blend dance, music, and storytelling to vividly portray Princess Wencheng’s journey from Chang'an (Xi’an) to Lhasa to marry Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century. You will learn more legends about the founding of the Potala Palace. We can arrange the local transfer and help you book the tickets to enjoy it.
Besides, traveling with our local experts also makes a huge difference. Our knowledgeable local experts don’t just talk about dates and names. They will share hidden stories, guide you through ancient Barkhor Street in Lhasa’s old quarter, and invite you to sip sweet Tibetan tea at a local teahouse. Along the way, you will experience local customs and gain a vivid picture of the world that once surrounded the Potala Palace.
And trust me, you will learn some of the most fascinating stories about the Potala Palace and its former residents not found in books, but are shared in the warm chatter over a cup of Tibetan sweet tea. Learn the top 8 cultural experiences in Lhasa.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, the Potala Palace isn’t just a landmark attraction. It is a living museum that reflects Tibet’s rich spiritual heritage and dramatic history. From the legend of King Songtsen Gampo’s initial building of Potala Palace to the Fifth Dalai Lama’s expansion of the Potala, the Potala holds countless hidden stories, treasures, and Tibetan culture that await your discovery.
If you have more questions about the history of the Potala Palace or the Tibet tour, don’t hesitate to email us for free and expert travel solutions. Looking forward to taking you to experience the authentic Tibet, Tashi Delek!
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