People working on the steep white walls of the Potala Palace under a blue sky.

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The Red Palace (Phodrang Marpo)

The Red Palace is the religious center of the Potala Palace complex. It houses prayer halls, sacred chapels, and the gilded tombs of past Dalai Lamas.

Photo: tour listing on Viator

This structure forms the spiritual core of the palace complex. It houses thousands of shrines, statues, and the monumental burial stupas of past Dalai Lamas.

Remember that photography is strictly prohibited inside all chapels. You must dress modestly and remove hats and sunglasses before entering.

A white stupa in the foreground with the Potala Palace in the background.

Great West Hall

10 minsNo photography

This is the largest hall in the Red Palace. Its walls feature detailed murals illustrating the life of the 5th Dalai Lama. Photography is banned here, so take your time to study the intricate details.

Elderly locals in traditional clothing and face masks walking on a paved street.

Stupa Tombs

15 minsGold and jewels

These gilded burial stupas hold the remains of past Dalai Lamas. The tomb of the 5th Dalai Lama is the most prominent. It incorporates thousands of kilograms of gold and precious jewels.

A traditional Tibetan building with a golden roof, surrounded by trees and mountains.

Dharma Cave (Chogyal Drubphuk)

10 mins7th century

This highly sacred space is one of the oldest surviving parts of the palace. It predates the 17th-century complex by a millennium. It is believed to be the 7th-century meditation cave of King Songtsen Gampo.