 The
Potala Palace, winter palace of the Dalai Lama since the 7th century,
symbolizes Tibetan Buddhism and its central role in the traditional
administration in Tibet. The complex, comprising the White and the Red
Palaces with their ancillary buildings, is built on the Red Mountain in
the centre of the Lhasa valley, at an altitude of 3,700 m. Also founded
in the 7th century, the Jokhang Temple Monastery is an exceptional
Buddhist religious complex. Norbulingka, the Dalai Lama's former summer
palace, constructed in the 18th century, is a masterpiece of Tibetan
art. The beauty and originality of the architecture of these three
sites, their ornamentation and harmonious integration in a striking
landscape, add to their historic and religious interest.In 641,
Songtsan Gambo, ruler of the Tubo Kingdom, had the Potala Palace built
for Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty, whom he was soon to marry.
This structure was later burned to the ground during a war and was
rebuilt in the 17th century by the Fifth Dalai Lama. Repeated repairs
and expansions until 1645 finally brought the palace to its present
scale. Over the past three centuries, the palace gradually became a
place where the Dalai Lama lived and worked and a place for keeping the
remains of successive Dalai Lama.
In 1994, the palace joined the list of world cultural heritage sites.
 On November 30, 2000, the UNESCO World Heritage Committee listed the
Jokhang Monastery on the World Heritage List as a part of the historical
assemblage of the Potala Palace.
Norbulingka Park
Situated in the western suburbs of Lhasa, Norbulingka Park was built in
the middle of the 18th century during the reign of the 7th Dalai Lama
and served as the Summer Palace of Dalai Lamas where they handle
political affairs, practiced religious activities and spent holidays.
Traditionally the Dalai Lamas would leave the Potala Palace every spring
and spend the summer in Norbulingka.
Lingka in Tibetan means a beautiful place with trees and lawns, and
Norbu means treasure. In addition to its beautiful environment,
Norbulingka boasts many palaces, pavilions, various kinds of flowers as
well as a lake and a zoo.
In the past, Norbulingka was heavily guarded, with access allowed only
to a few with special permission. Now it is open to the public. During
the Shotun Festival (yogurt festival) which starts on July 1 of the
Tibetan calendar, the park is crowded with people who come to sing,
dance and picnic for the celebration.
In December 2001, Norbulingka Park was entered into the World Heritage
List as a part of the historical assemblage of Potala Palace. |
