The Potola Palace

I am going to post these photos now and add more later. Leave it to be said, 999 rooms and one cave are pretty impressive!

It was a perfect day to climb stairs above 12,000 feet. We actually got up to 13,000 feet when we reached the top of the palace.

The Potola Palace is the center of Lhasa. It is the former wiinter residance of the Dali Llama, that has now become little more than a museum since the Tibet has been part of China.

The Palace was started by the 33 King of Tibet about 1600 years ago. Although he was the 33 King he was the first King of consequence and really put the kingdom of Tibet on the map. He started the palace around a cave that was found on the mountain that the king used as a meditation room. He also build some basic rooms around this cave. Many of the later Kings and Llamas added to the palace untill it became the size it is today.

We had to go through a security check to get in. Then we got cracking on those stairs. Nema was kind to us stopping every 25 or so for us to catch our breath. On one of our stopps we met three Nomads. Nema spoke to them and they inpromed him that they had 60 Yaks. They had met foreigners once before. The guy on the end by Jim had a long braid with a large bead in in and a big red tassle attached to the end. When i asked to take the photo he wrapped the tassle around his head. The guy next to me lamented the fact that they didn't have thier traditional gear on for the portorate. I was happy to meet them whatever.


When we got up to the entrance to the palace it is covered with a huge cloth with "endless knots" on it. The fabric is made from Yak wool and protects the paintings that are just inside.