Potala Palace: A Mark of Time, a Beacon of Faith!
Hey everyone👋, today I'm bringing you a super practical travel guide to the Potala Palace, so you won't have any regrets on your trip to Tibet💖.
Preliminary Preparations
1. Documents: Your ID card is a must❗ You need your ID card to buy tickets and go through security checks to enter the Potala Palace. You won't be able to get in without it. If you have discount certificates such as student IDs, senior citizen cards, or military officer IDs, bring them along too, as they can save you a lot of money💰.
2. Clothing: Tibet has a large temperature difference between day and night. Even in summer, it can get a bit chilly at night🥼. So, bring long-sleeved jackets, long pants, and an extra thick cotton jacket or down jacket. Comfortable shoes are essential, as you'll be doing a lot of walking while visiting the Potala Palace👟.
3. Sunscreen: The UV rays on the plateau are super strong🌞. If you don't want to get sunburned, bring sunscreen, a sun hat, sunglasses, and a parasol. The higher the SPF, the better.
4. Medicine: To cope with possible altitude sickness, prepare some anti-altitude sickness medicine in advance, such as Rhodiola (taking it about a week in advance is more effective) and Gaoyuan An. Also, bring common medicines such as cold medicine, stomach medicine, and motion sickness medicine, just in case💊.
Transportation Guide🚗
1. Airplane: You can fly directly to Lhasa Gonggar International Airport. There's an airport bus to the city center, which takes about 1 hour and costs around CNY 30. It's very convenient. You can also take a taxi, which is a bit more expensive, around CNY 150 - 200🚕.
2. Train: Taking the train to Lhasa is a unique experience. You can enjoy the scenery along the way and gradually acclimatize to the increasing altitude. Lhasa Railway Station is located in the city center, and you can easily reach various parts of the city by bus or taxi after arriving at the station🚌.
Ticket Purchase Guide🎫
Potala Palace tickets require reservations, and there are two ways to do this:
1. Official Website: Book tickets 7 days in advance on the official Potala Palace website. Tickets are released at 22:30 every day, so set an alarm⏰ and be quick, as tickets for popular dates sell out fast.
2. On-site Reservation: At the Potala Palace ticket reservation office (there are signs), you can reserve tickets for the next day with your ID card. However, this method is less certain, and during peak season, you might have to queue for a long time and still not get a reservation😣.
Tickets are CNY 200/person during peak season (May 1 - October 31) and CNY 100/person during off-season (November 1 - April 30 of the following year).
Tour Route🗺️
After entering the park, your Potala Palace tour officially begins at the Stele without Inscription:
1. Snow City👉 There are many ancient buildings here, which used to be the political and economic center of old Tibet, such as the Mint and the Sheba Lekhung. You can learn about the unique history and culture here. There are also some small exhibition halls to visit. It takes about 1 - 1.5 hours to stroll around🕐.
2. White Palace👉 Follow the steps up to the White Palace. The White Palace was the living quarters and political activity center of the Dalai Lama. The interior decoration is magnificent, with various exquisite murals🖼️ depicting religious stories and historical events. As you walk and observe, you'll feel like you're traveling through time. The visit takes about 1 hour.
3. Red Palace👉 The Red Palace is the essence of the Potala Palace, housing the stupas of successive Dalai Lamas. The stupas are inlaid with countless gems💎, sparkling brilliantly under the lights, leaving visitors in awe. There are also a large number of scriptures and murals, creating a strong religious atmosphere. It's recommended to reserve 1.5 - 2 hours to savor this part.
The entire tour takes about 3 - 4 hours. Don't forget to take photos along the way, but be aware that photography is not allowed in some indoor areas📷. Please follow the rules.
Food Recommendations🍜
After visiting the Potala Palace, you're bound to be hungry. There are plenty of delicious foods around for you to try:
1. Tibetan Noodles: A traditional Tibetan dish, the noodles are uneven in thickness and chewy. Served with rich yak bone broth, sprinkled with chopped green onions and beef cubes, a bowl of this will warm you up🥣.
2. Butter Tea: The taste might seem a bit strange at first, but after a few sips, you'll fall in love with its unique blend of milky and tea aromas. It can also alleviate altitude sickness, so be sure to give it a try🧉.
3. Sweet Tea: Completely different from butter tea, sweet tea is sweet and tastes a bit like the milk tea we usually drink. Order a pot of sweet tea at a street-side teahouse, sit with the locals, chat, and enjoy a relaxing time🍵.
Important Notes⚠️
1. Do not run or shout loudly inside the Potala Palace. Maintain silence and respect religious customs and culture📣.
2. Altitude sickness varies from person to person. If you experience symptoms such as headaches or difficulty breathing, don't panic. Rest first and gradually acclimatize. Seek medical attention and oxygen if necessary💉.
3. The interior structure of the Potala Palace is complex. Follow the signs and the flow of people to avoid getting lost🗺️.
Alright, everyone, with this guide in hand, set off for the Potala Palace🎉! I believe you'll have an unforgettable journey.