布达拉宫

Why this place

The Potala Palace rises on a hill above Lhasa, 13 storeys and over 1,000 rooms, built in the seventeenth century as the residence of the Dalai Lamas and the seat of Tibetan government. It contains tombs of eight Dalai Lamas, thousands of statues and murals, and it is the most recognisable building in Tibet.

What to see

• The White Palace (administrative) and the Red Palace (religious), with the tomb stupas
• The assembly hall and the chapels, with their murals and gilded statues
• The view from the hill opposite at dawn, when the palace catches the first light
• The pilgrim circuit (kora) around the base, walked by Tibetans every day

What to eat

• Tibetan staples in the old town: momo, thukpa and butter tea
• Sweet tea houses around the Barkhor, which are social institutions

How to plan

A half-day visit, usually on the second day after arriving to acclimatise.

Best time

April–June and September–October

Practical tips

• Visits are timed and the number of tickets is capped — your agency books a slot, and you must arrive at that time
• No photography inside, and the climb to the top is genuinely strenuous at 3,700m