Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region
Explore this 1,300-year-old complex in Lhasa. At 3,700 meters, visiting requires advance tickets, strict timing, and mandatory permits for foreign travelers.
4.9 from 773 traveller reviews on Viator
Tickets & tours
Foreign travelers must visit with a registered agency and guide.
Most bookedThis is a classic multi-day tour that provides the opportunity to visit from Lhasa to Everest Base camp. The tour will get you acquainted by covering all main tourist...
Top ratedThis is a short and simple trip that takes you through the best part of the holy city Lhasa by appreciating its prominent historical architects of Potala Palace and...
This package offers an excellent 4-day trip to the top three attractions in Lhasa, which include Tibet's largest palace – Potala Palace, the holiest temple in Tibetan...
Explore
Discover the administrative quarters, religious shrines, and surrounding grounds.
3 spotsThe White PalaceThe administrative center and living quarters of the Dalai Lamas.Explore Photo: tour listing on Viator
3 spotsThe Red PalaceThe religious center featuring chapels and tombs of past Dalai Lamas.Explore Photo: tour listing on Viator
3 spotsPalace GroundsExternal spaces offering panoramic views and spiritual walking paths.Explore Photo: tour listing on Viator
The palace features distinct white walls painted with a mix of lime, milk, honey, and sugar.
A traditional Tibetan preservation technique.
Plan your visit
Expect about 30-45 minutes to climb the steps. You are allowed a maximum of 1 hour inside the main halls.
May to October offers the best weather. Morning provides excellent light for photography.
Your mandatory guide and driver will provide transport. The drive from central Lhasa takes 5-10 minutes.
Base entry is 200 CNY from May to October, but foreigners must book a full tour package.
Originally built by King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century, the Potala Palace sits on Red Hill in Lhasa. It served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas from 1649 until 1959. The complex is divided into The White Palace and The Red Palace.
Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing over 10,000 shrines and 200,000 statues. Visitors must climb roughly 1,000 steps to reach the entrance. Steps & Altitude.
Foreign passport holders cannot travel here independently. A registered agency must arrange your guide and Permit & Guide Rules before you arrive.
We list operators equipped to handle mandatory Tibet Travel Permits.
Options range from private vehicles to larger multi-day group tours.
From simple Lhasa city trips to extended Everest Base Camp journeys.
From Viator
773 reviews of the 8-day lhasa to everest on Viator
What an unforgettable and amazing trip… had a 3 days tour and everything was professional with lots of information. Our guide Abu was so careful and competent highly recommended. Definitely wanna come back and if then with TibetTourism
The tour includes more other spots than Potala Palace. The service and the professionalism of the travel agency agent and also the guide was very appreciated.
My solo trip to Lhasa and Lakr Yamdrok was fabulous. Booking the trip was simple. Communication was great - very responsive to my requests. My guides and drivers were friendly and very knowledgeable. They were flexible and adjusted our activities during to feeling a bit of the altitude one afternoon. The value for money was superb. Highly recommended! Thank you Jennie.
Excellent local tour company. Merry was very communicative keeping me informed at every step. Entry permit was obtained and delivered to my hotel in China exactly as promised with no delays. Local tour guides each day were excellent and shared detailed background and history at each location. In hindsight wish I had signed up for a longer visit.
We had a great time. Tour guide Lhakdon and our driver kept us safe. They were both awesome. We enjoyed the whole tour. But these tour wouldn't be possible without the knowledge and diligence of our tou guide and also our driver who made our journey smooth despite the long hours of driving. I love every bit of this tour
Jigme was a wonderful guide on our journey from Lhasa to EBC\. He has a deep knowledge of Buddhism and shared his insights with us in a very meaningful way\. He always treated everyone in the group with kindness and respect, and took us to incredible places that will forever remain in my memory\. I’m truly grateful for this unforgettable experience and highly recommend him as a guide, and Tibet Vista.
Travel tips
Tickets and PricesCurrent Potala Palace ticket costs and how to secure a reservation.Read 
Permit & Guide RulesHow foreign tourists must apply for a Tibet Travel Permit.Read 
Steps & AltitudePrepare for the 3,700-meter elevation and 1,000-step climb to the palace.Read 
Rules & Dress CodeLearn the strict photo policies, dress code, and time limits for entry.Read 
Best visit timesFind out the best months, times of day, and seasons to visit.Read 
White vs Red PalaceLearn the key differences between the administrative and religious wings.Read Yes, but foreign passport holders cannot visit independently. You must be accompanied by a licensed tour guide and have a Tibet Travel Permit arranged by a registered agency. Tickets.
You cannot apply for it yourself. You must book a tour with a registered travel agency. They will handle the permit application and provide the mandatory guide and driver. Permit & Guide Rules.
The base entry fee is 200 CNY per person from May to October, and 100 CNY from November to April. Foreigners pay this as part of their total tour package.
Visitors must climb approximately 1,000 stone steps to reach the main palace structures. Pace yourself carefully due to the thin air. Steps & Altitude.
The palace is perched on Red Hill at an altitude of 3,700 meters (12,140 feet) above sea level. It is considered the highest ancient palace in the world.
No. Photography is strictly prohibited inside the palace halls and chapels. You may take photos of the exterior and surrounding grounds. Rules & Dress Code.
Book your tour well in advance to secure your permits and tickets.
