It once served as the winter palace of the dalai lama and was the tibetan seat of government. It is a huge treasure house of ancient materials and articles of tibetan history, religion, culture, and arts. The potala palace was the political center of tibet and tibetan buddhism since it was constructed under the direction of the 5th dalai lama in 1645. Renovation of tibets iconic potala palace completed. The potala palace, colossal architectural complex uprising more than meters on the red hill of lhasa valley, is the landmark of lhasa as well as the symble of tibet. People keep going to worship, like only this magnificent building can purify them. A romantic opera in tibet just happens to bolster chinas historical position there. Travelers usually explore the potala palace in the morning, then go to visit jokhang temple and barkhor street in the rest afternoon. It is the landmark of lhasa and tibet, and also used to. The potala palaces location was at the intersection of the sera and drepung monasteries and near old lhasa so it was believed to be an auspicious location. World heritage historic ensemble of the potala palace, lhasa c. In his fascinating book, the art historian wu hung deconstructs the.
The white palace comprising halls, temples, and courtyards. China launches largest ancient books protection at potala. Tibet highlights travel attractions, potala palaceworld. The potala is named after famous mount potala which is the mythical abode of bodhisattva chenresi avalokitesvara. Lhasa potala palace, highest ancient palace in the world. The potala palace in lhasa, the regional capital of chinas tibet autonomous region, is home to large quantities of precious books. It used to be the religious, political and cultural center of the whole tibet, also the residence of dalai lamas. Potala palace tibet potala palace facts, history, map. Potala palace the proof for the national amalgamation. The potala palace, jewel of the himalayas phuntsok. In 2016, a workshop was set up at the potala palace, with the mission to repair the ancient books. Potala palace, one of tibets top must see cultural sites, has been capturing travelers imaginations as it takes them on an adventure through tibetan history. Barkhor square is marked by four stone sankang incense burners, two of which are in front of the temple and two in the rear. Potala palace lhasa, tibet facts, history, highlights and tips.
In 641, songtsan gambo, ruler of the tubo kingdom, had the potala palace built for wen chen konjo princess wencheng of the tang dynasty, whom he was soon to marry. How are ancient books in the potala palace repaired. Potala palace, the iconic heart of tibetan buddhism, is the highest palace in the world. Discover lhasa short tour, unforgettable glimpse of the. This book contains over 150 photos of treasures inside the potala palace in lhasa. Barkhor, the market square in central lhasa, has a walkway for pilgrims to walk around the temple which takes about 20 minutes. According to tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience potala palace. Potala palace wikimili, the free encyclopedia wikimili, the free encyclopedia. Potala palace, famous for its complicated but spectacular architecture and glory history, is the essence of the ancient tibetan architectural art, enjoying the reputation of holy temple of the plateau. China launches largest ancient books protection at potala palace. Both of these seventeenthcentury edifices appear to fulfil one of the basic req.
Paul horn, flute potala palace filmed in lhasa, tibet. Apr 10, 2012 murder in tibets high places the dalai lama is one of the worlds most revered religious leaders, but that didnt prevent four holders of the office from mysteriously dying. As the symbol of tibet, potala palace has many things worth seeing, the architecture of the entire construction, the splendid wellpreserved artworks and various kinds of religious treasures and etc. Potala palace palace, lhasa, tibet, china britannica. Potala palace students britannica kids homework help. Potala palace plays the function of residence of religious leader in tibets history as well as the operations center for tibet which combines politics and religion together. Potala palace, dzong fortress in lhasa, tibet armchair traveller. Potala palace unesco potala tibetan and himalayan digital library research work on possible relation with potala, malaya mountains and south india. Sitting atop red mountain in the center of the lhasa valley at an altitude of some 3,700 meters, the potala palace, named after mount potalaka, the mythical abode of the bodhisattva avalokiteshvara, was originally constructed during the seventh century and has since undergone several major reconstructions. Guide to tibet things to do, places to visit and practicalities. Murder in tibets high places history smithsonian magazine. Known as the heaven of arts, this white and red palace with its ancillary buildings and numerous invaluable treasures collected, attracts thousands tourists to. Potala palace, situated on an extremely high mountain in the northwest of lhasa, with an altitude of over 3,700m, is an important symbol of lhasa.
Collections in potala palace covers the works from the past 300 years and include over 2,500 sq meters about 2,990 sq yards frescoes, nearly 1,000 stupas, over 10,000 sculptures and nearly 10,000 thangka paintings. May 16, 2018 the potala palace, the center of tibetan religion, politics, history and art, is really a local history museum. The potala palace, the center of tibetan religion, politics, history and art, is really a local history museum. It is built on a hill, called red hill in the center of the lhasa valley midway between the sera and drepung monasteries, and near the old city and jokhang temple, the spiritual center of lhasa. It was the winter palace of the dalai lamas from 1649 to 1959, has been a museum since then, and is a world heritage site since 1994. Apart from the taj mahal, few historic structures can compete with the iconic potency of the potala palace in lhasa. Although some wooden carvings and lintels of the jokhang temple date to the 7th century, the oldest of lhasas extant buildings, such as within the potala palace, the jokhang and some of the monasteries and properties in the old quarter date to this second flowering in lhasas history. As an important symbol of lhasa, the ancient potala palace is not only known for magnificent architecture, but also for a number of valuable cultural relics. The jokhang is 1,000 metres 3,300 ft east of the potala palace. The magnificent potala palace, once the seat of the tibetan government and the winter residence of the dalai lamas, is lhasa s cardinal landmark.
The potala palace is famous for its grand buildings, complicated constructions, devotional atmosphere and splendid artworks. According to the old legends, there are several sacred caves in the hill, where bodhisattva avalokiteshvara chenresig lived. Potala palace, immense religious and administrative complex in lhasa, southern tibet autonomous region, southwestern china. Potala palace lhasa, china attractions lonely planet. Tibet potala palace completed more than 2,000 letters of. Potala palace lhasa, tibet facts, history, highlights. Many famous tourist sites are within walking distance from potala palace, such as the jokhang temple, barkhor street, small jokhang temple, etc. The history of the potala palace traces back to a smaller palace built in lhasa by a tibetan king in the 7th century.
From the hill, you can get a great view of the entire city of lhasa. Potala palace is mainly comprised of the white palace administrate building and the red palace religious building. Nov 26, 2019 potala palace in lhasa, tibet has the honor of being the highest ancient palace in the world, with its highest point reaching 3,750 meters 12,300 feet above sea level, towering 100 meters 300 feet above the city of lhasa. He used potala palace and a governing and spiritual center, but the purpose would not outlive its creator. With origins going back to the seventh century, the potala palace is the most spectacular art and religious treasurehouse in all of tibet. The palace is located in lhasa, the capital of tibet, and it now serves as a museum preserving the cultural past and is a beautifully situated world heritage site. The fabulous beauty of the architecture, longstanding history and. The reconstruction of potala palace in the history. Threedimensional rendering of potala palace without plugin.
Lhasa, potala palace from southsouthwest world digital library. This southwestern view of potala the palace of the dalai lama in. Potala palace, situated in the west part of lhasa, is actually an architecture group situated on an extremely high mountain in the northwest of lhasa, consisting of temples, palaces, dormitories and office areas. Potala palace, winder palace of dalai lama, is the most famous and top 1 tourism attraction in lhasa, sunshine capital of tibet. Potala palace, which is now on the list of chinese national key protected cultural relics, is the most valuable depot in tibet. In this page you will find the history of potala palace. An architectural wonder even by modern standards, the palace. It is the landmark of lhasa and tibet, and also used to be the political center of tibet.
The jokhang temple was also greatly expanded around this time. It was named the potala, likely after mount potala in india, which is important in buddhist traditions. According to the guinness book of world records, potala palace is the highest palace in the world. But another project the new potala palace square, built in the late. Potala palace tibet potala palace facts, history, map, pictures. Check the detailed information guide about potala palace, including introduction, location, facts, history, useful travel tips and highlighted tours including potala palace.
Although some wooden carvings and lintels of the jokhang temple date to the 7th century, the oldest of lhasa s extant buildings, such as within the potala palace, the jokhang and some of the monasteries and properties in the old quarter date to this second flowering in lhasa s history. The potala palace is located in lhasa, tibet autonomous region, china. Potala palace, regarded as landmark and the symbol of tibet, is a great giant palace consisting of many houses, towers, chapels, etc. The magnificent potala palace, once the seat of the tibetan government and the winter residence of the dalai lamas, is lhasas cardinal landmark.
The palace is located in lhasa, the capital of tibet, and it now serves as a. The potala palace is a dzong fortress in the city of lhasa, in tibet. Potala palace was reputed as the pearl of the roof of the world. Discover lhasa tour is a short tour which will lead you to the unforgettable glimpse of the city on the roof of the world.
Tibet highlights travel attractions, potala palaceworld heritage. Although time changes, this pearl still is the center of lhasa. Bodala in lhasa, tibet autonomous region wis the chief residence o the dalai lama till the 14t dalai lama fled tae indie during the 1959 tibetan uprisin. The majesty and grace of the palace and the fervor of the captivating pilgrims surrounding it, compares only to the thrill of seeing egyptian tombs for the first time. The potola palace was the residence of the dalai lama from the 17th century until the current dalai lama fled to india during the 1959 tibetan uprising. Search the history of over 419 billion web pages on the internet. Tibet potala palace completed more than 2,000 letters of ancient books and documents survey 20200430t09. Analysis a romantic opera in tibet just happens to. The palace was built as the center of tibetan government by the fifth dalai lama in 1645. Beyond all doubt, the potala palace is the number uno attraction in all of tibet. It is situated atop marpori red mountain, 425 feet metres above the lhasa river valley, and rises up dramatically from its rocky base.
The potala palace is a world heritage site and was used to be the chief residence of the dalai lama until 14th dalai lama. In 1645 the fifth dalai lama ordered the construction of a new castle. Chinese history books and chinese guides in the potala palace or jokhang temple talk about the palace being built by the king for the chinese princess, but tibetan accounts disagree. Mar 30, 2019 the potala palace in lhasa, the regional capital of chinas tibet autonomous region, is home to large quantities of precious books. The potala palace is a dzong fortress in the city of lhasa, in chinas tibet autonomous region. The potala palace, the former residence of many dalai lamas. I visited lhasa and the potala palace in august 2017. Potala palace world heritage site pictures, info and. Both of these seventeenthcentury edifices appear to fulfil one of the basic requirements for a monument.
Known as the heaven of arts, this white and red palace with its ancillary buildings and numerous invaluable treasures collected, attracts thousands tourists to unveil its mystery. During the cultural revolution, tibets monasteries were destroyed with dynamite and artillery and rare books and paintings were burned. Potala palace filmed in lhasa, tibet addeddate 20060203 20. Potala palace was built on the meters high marpo ri hill. Because of its spectacular architecture style, it is honored as. History of potala palace this hilltop site above the city of lhasa originally hosted the meditation retreat of king songtsen gampo, who built the first palace there in 637 in order to greet his bride princess wencheng of china. The potala palace was built in the seventh century and it has already had a long history of over 0 years. Perched on marpo ri hill, meters above lhasa valley and backlit by a collection of noble mountain ranges in the distance, stands the splendid potala palace, the former winter palace home and government building of the dalai lama and his large staff. Your first sight of its towering, fortresslike walls is a moment youll remember for years. Check the detailed information guide about potala palace, including introduction, location, facts, history, useful. After the death of his dynasty, the capital of the tibet region moved away from lhasa and the potala palace, which remained ruined for several hundreds of years. Tibetan history, religion, and culture come together in this beautiful photography book about the potala palace, the palace of the dalai lamas.
Potala palace sits on the region which used to be the old lhasa city. Nearly 40,000 volumes of antique texts in mandarin, tibetan. It also houses writings by senior monks, books on medicine, history and vast. The satapur moonstone cements perveen mistry as one of crimes most fascinating characters. The potala palace established a special panel for the protection of ancient texts in the 1970s, who repaired part of the antique books and published fourvolume indexes of the palaces collection of historic texts. Potala palace, potala palace introduction, potala palace guide. Because of its spectacular architecture style, it is honored as one of the most beautiful architectural building in the world. Murder in tibets high places the dalai lama is one of the worlds most revered religious leaders, but that didnt prevent four holders of the office from mysteriously dying.
218 1130 408 807 138 1092 743 1028 768 162 248 776 147 110 631 561 302 1182 624 1183 973 37 1420 919 558 449 98 994 1100 421 1227 226 1210 459 722