Potala Palace: World's Highest Palace
( 2005-10-14 )

Superb Architectural Achievements

The Potala Palace is composed of theRed Palace, the White Palace and some other accompanying buildings. These buildings were constructed at different times, but they are all in harmony with the surrounding terrain, so that the whole building complex appears magnificent and integrated and is known as an ingenious masterpiece.

Paradigm of Perfect Integration ofBuddhist Templeswith Palace Buildings

The Potala Palace is a successful structure integrating TibetanBuddhismwith palace buildings among dozens of Tibetan monumental buildings.

Exquisite Furnishings

The Potala Palace is a model not only for its magnificent building, but also for its delicate furnishings, including carvings and paintings.

Historical and Religious Implications

The Potala Palace used to be a center for both temporal and religious administration. It is closely connected with many important figures in the history of Tibet, such as Songtsan Gompo, Princess Wencheng and several generations of Dalai Lamas.

 Tibetan Buddhism

"Potala" is a transliterated Sanskrit word. It is said that Tibetan Buddhists thought that Mt. Hongshan, the original name of the Potala Mountain, was as pure as Potaraka Mountain, the sacred place where Mother Buddha lived. So they renamed the mountain. When the palace was built, it was named after this sacred mountain.