The Potala Palace is not located in Xinjiang but in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region. Below is the tourism-related information for the Potala Palace:?
Tickets and reservations:?
During peak season, tickets for Route 1 are priced at 200 yuan per person, and Route 2 at 100 yuan per person; during off-peak season, tickets are half-price, namely 100 yuan per person. During the Winter Tibet Tourism Period, Potala Palace tickets may be free.?
Visitors need to make reservations in advance through the official Potala Palace platform or WeChat mini-program. During peak season, it is recommended to make reservations 10 days in advance, with tickets released at 8:30 every morning; during off-peak season, reservations should be made at least 3 days in advance. Seniors over 60 years old can make on-site reservations for the next day’s visit.?
Opening hours:?
Opening hours during peak season are from 8:30 to 18:00; during off-peak season, they are from 9:30 to 17:00.?
Visiting process and precautions:?
Visitors need to bring their ID cards and reservation codes to enter through the South Gate of the Potala Palace after security checks. First, visit Xuecheng, then scan their ID cards for ticket verification at the No-Word Stele Ticket Check Point, and enter the palace interior in a zigzag pattern. After visiting the interior of the palace, descend from the back mountain.?
During the visit, please follow the taboos of Tibetan Buddhism, such as not wearing hats, taking photos, stepping on thresholds, pointing at Buddha statues with fingers, or touching artifacts and murals. Dress appropriately, avoid wearing skirts or overly revealing clothes, and it is recommended to wear flat shoes.?
There are no restrooms inside the White Palace and Red Palace, so visitors need to take care of this before entering. Visits are limited to 1 hour, so please plan your time reasonably.?
Highlights of the tour:?
The Potala Palace is an outstanding representative of Tibetan ancient architecture, built on a hill with overlapping buildings and a magnificent atmosphere. It is not only a masterpiece of ancient Chinese architecture but also the landscape pattern on the reverse of the fifth series of 50 RMB notes.?
Inside the palace, there are thousands of Buddha statues, including statues of Songtsen Gampo, Princess Wencheng, and Princess Bhrikuti, as well as the spiritual stupas of successive Dalai Lamas and precious artifacts. The West Hall in the Red Palace is the spiritual stupa hall of the Fifth Dalai Lama, with a beautifully ornate stupa wrapped in gold leather.?
The White Palace spans both wings and serves as the residence of the Dalai Lama, with various halls, corridors, and exquisite decorations. The East Hall is the largest hall in the White Palace, featuring the Dalai Lama’s throne.?
Surrounding shooting spots:?
The artificial lake and night fountain in Potala Square, the viewing platform of Medicine Buddha Mountain (where you can take the classic photo similar to the 50 RMB bill), and Zongjiao Lukang Park (suitable for taking reflections in the water) are all great shooting spots.?
Hope the above information can help you plan an unforgettable trip to the Potala Palace.?