Form ancient times it has been said that Tibet is a sacred land or a “gate” to a spiritual world. With their strong belief in peace and harmony, with their mysteries and experiences beyond material world , the people from Tibet represent one of the most fascinating cultures. The center of their spirituality and their special place for meditation rises 3700 meters above the earth and is called Potala Palace.
The Potala Palace is located in Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region, China, and tradition has it that the three main hills of Lhasa represent the “Three Protectors of Tibet”. For a long period of time, the palace was the chief residence of the Dalai Lama and it became a museum which was inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Built on Marpo Ri (‘Red Mountain’) in the center of Lhasa Valley,the Potala Palace, with its vast inward-sloping walls broken only in the upper parts by straight rows of many windows, is like a fortress in appearance.
The central part of Potala is called the “red palace” and contains the principal halls and chapels of past Dalai Lamas. Decorative paintings, carvings and other ornaments can be found in these buildings. (Wikipedia)
Some travel information:
– a railway was opened in 2006,so the train can be a real option to get into Lhasa
– for purchasing tickets for the Pocala Palace, don’t forget your ID card. Only 2300 tickets are issued every day, 1600 for travel agents and 700 to individual tourists, so an early wake-up is recommended.
– be aware of the taboos of Tibetan Buddhism
– because of the high altitude, caution is a must.
More travel tips and other information you will get from here.
Pictures via 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9
