Potala Palace

Situated on Red Hill in Lhasa, Tibet, the Potala Palace sits at an elevation of approximately 3,700 meters (12,100 feet) above sea level. The massive structure itself adds over 100 meters to this towering height.

The original structure was built in the 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo, but it was largely rebuilt and expanded in the 17th century by the Fifth Dalai Lama. It served as the winter residence for successive Dalai Lamas for centuries.

Visitors can explore numerous chapels, stupas containing the remains of past Dalai Lamas, and ancient Buddhist murals. The Red Palace and the White Palace are the main sections of the complex that are open to tourists.

To protect the fragile ancient structures, the number of visitors is strictly limited each day, usually capped at a few thousand. Visitors are typically given a strict one-hour time limit to explore the interior to prevent overcrowding.