Article Visit of Potala
Beautiful residence of Dalai Lama
If Kailash is the most sacred mountain of Tibet,Potala Palace in Lhasa is then its symbol. Amazing thirteen-storey building stands on the Red hill Marpo Ri right in the middle of the town. The red religious palace perched at the top center contrasts with white secular buildings. If you have been captivated by Buddhist architecture of Tibetan style during your travels, so Potala is the best, even though surrounding modern boulevards and strong military and police presence throughout Lhasa damage the atmosphere The view of it is beautiful not only during the day but also at night when it is full of lights that reflect in the surrounding ponds.
Potala from lake
One of the most beautiful views of the palace are from the south side from the lake neigboring to the Potala square.
Potala from the monastery Palha Lupuk
Very nice view of Potala is from chortens on a small ridge a short distance from the monastery Palha Lupuk. You will probably not be surprised by a small police checkpost in the lower chorten.
Before Potala
The palace is really sturdy (450×350 meters). When you approach the stairway leading to the interior, you will really realize its monumentality.
View from the staircase to the south
In the crowd of other tourists, mainly Chinese, you ascent along very long staircase and the views are becoming bigger. Directly opposite you is Potala Square with a Chinese monument with really ironic title „Memorial for the Peaceful Liberation of Tibet“. To the right is clearly visible monastery Palha Lupuk stuck on the rock massif of holy moutain Chokpori. The horizon is lined by four thousand high mountains. Distant ridges are still about a kilometer higher.
White Palace - Potrang Karpo
You finally ascent to the courtyard at the White Palace – a place where Dalai Lama dwelt. Even more important building is the Red Palace Potrang Marpo designed entirely for religious studies and prayer. The interiors are amazing. The tombs of Dalai Lams in stupas surrounded by tons of gold are breathtaking. Especially interesting is watching the locals to replenish yak fat into lamps. Unfortunately, photographing is prohibited here.
View northwards
Views from Potala are nicer northwards rather than southwards. The lake with park around and mountains in the distance look very nice.
The descent from Potala
After visiting the amazing interiors awaits you the descend back down. Fortunately, you will go along different staircase, so there are no crowds. The walls towering above you are truly monumental.
Potang Shakor - Kora around Potala
An interesting finish of the whole tour is bypassing the whole Marpo Ri hill and an opportunity to carry out the sacred kora – 3/4 of it is surrounded by a wall with thousands of prayer wheels. It takes a lot of energy and time to spin all of them.
Evening Potala
Nigh photo of Potala from the lake also has its great charm. The entire palace is nicely lit.
Praying Tibetans
When you think back of Potala and its surroundings, it definitely will not be just a memory of this amazing building, but also of a number of simple Tibetans praying in its surroundings. The fact that you will be passing between them in cordons of Chinese soldiers only enhances the atmosphere, which you will take away from here – lack of freedom and oppression can be really felt here everywhere.
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