When people talk about traveling to Tibet, one of the must-mention attractions is the Potala Palace. The Potala Palace is undoubtedly a sacred place that every traveler to Tibet desires to visit, exuding an aura of mystery and holiness. Today, it can be regarded as the representative of Tibet tourism and the focal point of local tourist attractions. Let me guide you in unveiling the mystery behind this popular Tibetan destination and explore why it has sustained enduring charm.
Since its construction by Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century, the Potala Palace, situated on the Marpo Ri mountain, has withstood the test of time and still stands tall on the vast Tibetan Plateau. This ancient architectural complex, integrating palaces, castles, and temples, has a history of over 1300 years.
As one of the most complete and magnificent ancient structures in the Tibet Autonomous Region, the Potala Palace once served as the centralized seat of political and religious power in old Tibet. Standing at 117 meters high, with a length of 360 meters from east to west and an exterior featuring 13 layers (though functionally 9 layers), it covers an area of approximately 120,000 square meters. The majestic halls with their golden rooftops house over 15,000 rooms, including Buddha halls, scripture halls, stupa halls, and study rooms. The architecture is intricately designed, winding and merging organically with the mountainous terrain, providing a direct and awe-inspiring experience. The entire structure is built with a combination of stone and wood.
Constructed with large blocks of square stones, the Potala Palace boasts spacious halls adorned with vibrant murals on its towering and broad walls, all unified with granite. The wooden roofs and eaves exhibit an uplifted and exquisite design. The entire structure is embellished with gilded copper tiles, along with decorative elements such as prayer flags, treasure vases, capricorn symbols, and golden-winged birds serving as ridges, creating a perfect harmony that renders the palace magnificent. Inside, there are hundreds of thousands of Buddha statues intricately carved from gold, silver, copper, jade, and sandalwood, displaying vivid and lifelike forms. The Potala Palace houses countless treasures, making it a veritable art sanctuary.
Today, the Potala Palace is perceived as unique, whether considering its intricate combination of stone and wood in construction or delving into the cultural richness embedded within the palace itself. In front of the Red Palace, there is a white wall designated as the Buddha sunbathing platform, where large Buddha images are displayed during Buddhist festivals. As a sacred site of Tibetan Buddhism, the Potala Palace attracts numerous pilgrims and tourists each year, attesting to its enduring allure.