Search
Pioneer of Tibet Tourism for Overseas Travelers since 1984!
Potala Palace Location: Where Is Potala Palace and How to Get There?
As Tibet’s most iconic landmark, Potala Palace is situated right in the center of the holy Lhasa city, the capital of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China, and getting to Potala Palace, whether from Lhasa Gonggar Airport, Lhasa Railway Station, or the nearby attractions and your hotels, can’t be easier!
So, in this travel guide, we’ll walk you through exactly where the Potala Palace is, how to reach it from the airport, train station, or your hotel, plus insider tips to make your visit smooth for your Tibet tour.
Where Exactly Is the Potala Palace Located? On Red Hill in the Heart of Lhasa City
How to Get to Potala Palace from Lhasa Gonggar Airport?
How to Reach Potala Palace from Lhasa Railway Station?
How to Get to Potala Palace from Nearby Sites Like Barkhor Street & Norbulingka
How to Get to Potala Palace from Your Hotel in Downtown Lhasa and Beyond
Where Exactly Is the Potala Palace Located? On Red Hill in the Heart of Lhasa City
Perched on the iconic Red Hill and overlooking the sacred city of Lhasa, the Potala Palace is located at 35 Beijing Middle Road, Chengguan District, right across from Potala Palace Square in downtown Lhasa.
The Potala Palace was built in Lhasa because, in the 7th century AD, the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo unified the Tibetan Empire and moved his capital from Shannan to the peaceful Lhasa Valley.
Originally, Songtsen Gampo meditated in the natural caves of the Red Hill in Lhasa for spiritual practice, and later built his grand palace on it, calling it “Potala”, named after a magical mountain where the Buddha of Compassion (Avalokiteshvara) is said to live.
Through centuries of expansion and renovation, the Potala Palace has evolved into the renowned UNESCO World Heritage site we see today in the heart of Lhasa. It’s a must-visit for first-time travelers to Tibet and your first window into Tibet’s rich Buddhist traditions and vibrant Tibetan culture on the Roof of the World. Learn the top 10 things to do for visiting Potala Palace.
Our guests take photos with the Potala Palace at Potala Palace Square in Lhasa.
Explore Potala Palace and other Tibet's landmark attractions in Lhasa in four days.
How to Get to Potala Palace from Lhasa Gonggar Airport?
If you are flying into Tibet, you will be landing at Lhasa Gonggar International Airport, which is about an hour's drive (58 km) southwest of downtown Lhasa City, where the Potala Palace is located.
For our guests, you can enjoy our free airport pick-up (10:00, 13:30, 16:00, 18:30) and drop-off services (06:30, 08:00, 12:00) . Upon your arrival at Lhasa Gonggar Airport, our friendly local Tibetan guide and local driver will be waiting for you at the exit gate and greet you with warm smiles, and a traditional white ceremonial scarf symbolizing goodwill and blessings for guests from afar.
Then, just sit back on our comfortable tourist bus going straight to the Potala Palace in downtown Lhasa and your hotel afterwards. On the way, you can get a glimpse of the Yarlung Tsangpo River and the majestic Potala Palace up close on the tourist bus. You may stop at Potala Palace for a photo opportunity if you wish.
Alternatively, you can hop on the tourist-friendly airport shuttle bus to downtown Lhasa to reach the Potala Palace before heading to your hotel. Simply exit through Gate 5 at Lhasa Gonggar Airport and look for the shuttle bus (on your left) to Lhasa City. The ride takes about 70 minutes and costs just 30 RMB per person. The bus drops you off at the Lhasa Civil Aviation Bureau, just a 16-minute walk from the iconic Potala Palace.
Besides, you may also take a taxi to reach Potala Palace from the Lhasa Gonggar Airport, which may cost around 200 RMB per person and takes 60 minutes to reach Potala Palace via expressway.
Our welcoming local Tibetan guide greets our guests at Lhasa Gonggar Airport.
Explore Potala Palace and other Tibet's landmark attractions in Lhasa and further journey to Tibet Everest Base Camp.
How to Reach Potala Palace from Lhasa Railway Station?
If you are arriving in Lhasa by the scenic Tibet train, you will get off at Lhasa Railway Station, which is located about a 20-minute drive (7.2 km) southwest of the Potala Palace in the new district of Lhasa City.
Getting to the Potala Palace from the Lhasa train station is quite easy. Likewise, for our guests, you can enjoy our free transfer service, and our local experts and drivers will be expecting you with a white ceremonial scarf at the taxi pickup point outside Lhasa Railway Station. They will whisk you off to your hotel in Lhasa, with scenic views along the way of the serene Lhasa River, the fortress-like Potala Palace, and the vibrant Lhasa streets.
In addition, you can hire a private taxi from Lhasa Railway Station to Potala Palace, which costs 30 to 40 RMB per person and takes a 20-minute drive as well. You may use photo images or prepare a written address in Chinese as as most drivers can’t speak English.
Though public buses are available between Lhasa Railway Station and Potala Palace, we don’t recommend traveling by them because buses can be crowded if you’re carrying large luggage, and bus stops are not reported and written in English.
Our local Tibetan guides pick up our guests outside the Lhasa Railway Station.
Tour the Potala Palace and discover hidden gems in both downtown Lhasa and its surrounding suburbs.
How to Get to Potala Palace from Nearby Sites Like Barkhor Street & Norbulingka
If you have just finished exploring Potala Palace’s nearby attractions like Barkhor Street or Norbulingka and want to admire the Potala Palace up close, you can enjoy a leisurely walk or take a taxi to reach it, depending on your time available. You may use our free Lhasa city map or download navigation apps like Baidu Map or Gaode Map on your iPhone to easily find your way.
From the Barhhor Street, you can enjoy a relaxing 30-minute walk to the Potala Palace and explore the lively Lhasa street life and traditional Tibetan houses, and meet welcoming locals along the way. Learn the best spots to photograph the Potala Palace.
Start by exiting Barkhor Street from the west and head onto Yutuo Road, walking west for about 700 meters. You'll pass shops and local eateries as you continue straight onto Kangangduo South Road. Keep walking north, soon you will reach Beijing Middle Road, and after about several minutes’ walk, the majestic Potala Palace will begin to appear in the distance, rising above on Red Hill. If you're not up for walking, a taxi ride takes just 11 minutes and costs around 15 to 20 RMB.
Norbulingka lies around 3km away to the southwest of Potala Palace. It takes around a 50-minute walk via Norbulingka Road and Beijing Middle Road to reach the Potala Palace. If you're feeling fresh and want to enjoy the city on foot, walking is a lovely choice to enjoy the tranquil gardens of Norbulingka to the grand majesty of the Potala Palace.
However, if you're short on time, tired, or still adjusting to Lhasa’s high altitude, taking a taxi is a better choice. You can reach the Potala Palace from Norbulingka in just 9 minutes by taxi for 20 to 25 RMB.
(Simple click to enlarge the map)The location of Potala Palace, Barkhor Street, and Norbulingka on the Map.
Discover Lhasa and Shigatse, two of the biggest cities in Tibet.
How to Get to Potala Palace from Your Hotel in Downtown Lhasa and Beyond
With 90% of mid-range and luxury hotels scattered around the Potala Palace, Barkhor Street, Norbulingka, and other parts of the old quarters of Lhasa, most hotels in downtown Lhasa are just 2 to 3 kilometers away (or about a 10 to 50-minute walk) to the Potala Palace, based on where you're staying. You can easily reach the Potala Palace either on foot or by taxi, depending on your time and mood.
We suggest that if you're feeling well-adjusted to the altitude and you can take a relaxed stroll along 35 Beijing Middle Road, where Potala Palace is located, and immerse yourself in discovering the teeming local Tibetan life along the way.
If your hotel is on the outskirts of downtown Lhasa, like the InterContinental Lhasa Paradise, or across the Lhasa River in the suburbs, like Songtsam Lhasa Linka, it’s more convenient to take a taxi or use the hotel shuttle or our Lhasa tour group transfer because getting to the Potala Palace can easily take around 20 minutes by car on average.
BTW, for our guests, we offer a wide array of mid-range and deluxe hotels in downtown Lhasa, where you can easily explore the Potala Palace, bustling Barkhor bazaar, and the ancient alleyways of the old quarters of Lhasa on foot, at your own pace. Learn about the luxury hotels in Lhasa.
Our local Tibetan guides help our guests to check-in in at hotels in downtown Lhasa.More Insider Tips for Getting to Potala Palace
Since Lhasa sits at an altitude of 3,650m, please don’t rush to explore Potala Palace on your arrival day in Lhasa. Instead, having a good rest in your hotel gives your body precious time to adapt to the new elevation and thin air here.
For our guests, you can make full use of our free and expertly designed Lhasa map to help you navigate to the Potala Palace and discover the hidden gems of ancient Lhasa city that you find interesting. Learn how to plan your visit to Potala Palace at night.
If you plan to visit the Potala Palace on your own, be sure to inform your local Tibetan guide and save their phone number, just in case you need any help.
On your way to the Potala Palace or at the pilgrimage circuit at its base, you will meet many devoted Tibetan pilgrims, either walking or prostrating themselves around the Potala Palace. This is their unique way of showing devotion and reverence to the Buddha. Please be respectful and avoid blocking their path.
Local pilgrims walking the kora (pilgrimage) around Potala Palace.
Enjoy the classic overland tour from Lhasa to Kathmandu across the mighty Himalayas.
Conclusion
To many, the Potala Palace is not just perched on Red Hill in downtown Lhasa. It holds a special place deep in the hearts of Tibetans. For our guests, getting to the Potala Palace is more than just sightseeing; it’s a spiritual journey into the soul of Tibet and its profound culture.
So grab a map, pack your luggage, and get ready to stand before Tibet’s most awe-inspiring landmark in Lhasa because your Tibet adventure truly begins here. If you have more questions about visiting Potala Palace and beyond, don’t hesitate to email us for a free and expert travel solution. Tashi Delek!
Email me about your travel idea
