Tickets, timed entry, the 300 steps, what you can and cannot photograph, and how to see the Potala without rushing it.
The Potala is the image everyone carries of Tibet before they arrive, and it survives the reality. It is enormous, it sits above the city on its own hill, and it takes more out of you than you expect — not because of the distance, but because of the stairs and the altitude.
What you are actually visiting
The Potala is a palace and monastery complex in two parts: the White Palace, which held the administrative and living quarters, and the Red Palace at the centre, which contains the main assembly halls and the stupas of past Dalai Lamas. Construction began in the 17th century on the site of an earlier fortress.
Tickets and timed entry
Entry is by timed slot and numbers are capped daily. Your guide or agency books the slot; you cannot reliably turn up and buy a ticket at the gate in high season.
- Bring your passport — it is checked against the booking.
- Arrive slightly early; late arrivals can be refused.
- There is a time limit inside the Red Palace, usually around an hour.
The climb
From the car park to the top is roughly 300 steps, spread over several zigzag flights. At 3,650 m this is not a stroll. Go slowly, stop when you need to, and do not schedule anything demanding for the rest of the morning.
What to see inside
The route through the Red Palace passes the assembly hall, several chapels and the golden stupas. The detail is dense and the lighting is dim; a guide earns their fee here. Look for the painted ceilings, the fabric hangings and the sheer weight of the timber structure.
Photography
Photography is not allowed inside the Red Palace, and guards enforce it. The exterior, the courtyards and the view from the top are fine. Drones are not permitted anywhere in the city.
Practical tips
- Go in the morning, when the light hits the south face.
- Bring water and sun protection; the courtyards are fully exposed.
- Wear shoes you can climb in. Slippery stone stairs are normal.
- The view from the opposite hill, Chagpori, is the best photograph of the palace itself.
Getting there
The Potala is a 15–20 minute walk from the Barkhor, or a short taxi ride from anywhere in central Lhasa. If you are planning your first days in the city, our eight-day Lhasa to Everest itinerary shows how the Potala fits into a wider route.