Located on the Hongshan Mountain in the center of Lhasa, Xizang Autonomous Region, Potala Palace is the highest and most magnificent palace in the world and the largest and most complete ancient palace complex in Xizang. It is the holy land of Tibetan Buddhism and the essence of the ancient Chinese architecture. It is known as the "pearl on the roof of the world".
The Potala Palace consists of four parts: the White House, the Red Palace, the Snow City at the foot of the mountain, and the Dragon King Pool Park behind it. The architectural style reflects the fusion of Tibetan style watchtowers and Han style palaces.
The White House
Location: It is the eastern and white part of the Potala Palace.
Main highlights:
Dongdadian (Cuoqinsha): The largest hall in the White House, where the Dalai Lama holds major political events such as enthronement and pro government activities.
Sunlight Palace: Located on the top floor of the White House, it is the sleeping quarters of the Dalai Lama and is named after the constant sunshine. The interior is luxuriously decorated.
Red Palace
Location: It is the central and red part of the Potala Palace.
Function: It is a place for religious activities, mainly used for worshipping Buddha gods and placing spiritual pagodas of successive Dalai Lamas.
Main highlights:
The Lingta Hall of the Dalai Lamas throughout history: the core of the Red Palace, housing the Lingta of the 5th, 7th, and 13th Dalai Lamas. The fifth Dalai Lama's stupa is the most luxurious and towering, standing 14.85 meters tall and consuming over 3700 kilograms of gold. It is adorned with tens of thousands of pieces of various jewelry.
Xiyouji Perfect Hall (Cuoqinnuxi): The largest hall in the Red Palace, it is the hall of the fifth Dalai Lama's stupa, where major religious events are held.
Fawang Cave (Qujie Zhupu): One of the oldest buildings in the Potala Palace, it is said to be the practice cave of Songtsen Gampo in the past. Inside, there are statues of Songtsen Gampo, Princess Wencheng, Princess Chizun, and others.
The Potala Palace is not only a magnificent building, but also a vast museum of art and treasures.
Mural
Tens of thousands of murals have been painted in the palace, covering historical events (such as Songtsen Gampo's wedding to Princess Wencheng), Buddhist stories, architectural repairs, etc., which are important materials for studying the history and art of Xizang.
Sculpture
There are tens of thousands of Buddha statues, Bodhisattva statues, and protector statues enshrined, made of materials such as gold, silver, copper, clay sculptures, etc., with exquisite craftsmanship.
Cultural relic
There are a large number of scriptures (including palm leaf scriptures and golden juice scriptures), Thangkas, ritual vessels, sacrificial vessels, and treasures awarded by emperors in past dynasties, such as porcelain, jade, brocade, etc., which can be called "the treasure house of Xizang's history".
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Voltage and socket
The standard voltage in China is 220V. The commonly used socket shape is as shown in the picture. Most luxury hotel rooms are equipped with universal sockets, and tourists can also rent socket adapters at the hotel front desk.
Make a phone call
When a foreign mobile phone dials a Chinese fixed-line phone in China, it is necessary to dial the China area code (+86) and the city area code (e.g. Beijing +10) before the fixed-line phone number to be dialed.
When a foreign mobile phone dials a Chinese mobile number, it is necessary to dial the Chinese area code (+86) before the mobile number of the person being called.
Emergency call:
Call the police: 110
Fire emergency: 119
Traffic police: 122
Emergency: 120
Purchase a SIM card for a Chinese mobile phone
At major airports serving as ports of entry in China, there are designated counters for communication service providers, such as China Mobile and China Unicom. Foreign tourists can purchase SIM cards for Chinese mobile phones simply by presenting their passports.
Traffic safety tips
In China, all vehicles drive on the right side of the road, and both drivers and passengers must wear seat belts.
Health and medical tips
It is recommended to bring along commonly used medications (such as painkillers or gastrointestinal medications). If you need to take prescribed medication for an extended period, it is advisable to prepare sufficient quantities before departure and carry along doctor's certification documents, medical records, etc.
It is recommended to visit the international medical department of a general hospital or a foreign-funded hospital for treatment, as they generally provide medical services in English.
It is recommended to purchase relevant insurance before departure, and properly keep diagnosis certificates, outpatient medical records, fee lists, prescriptions, invoices, etc.
Cultural taboo
China is a multi-ethnic country, and there are significant differences in customs and habits among various ethnic groups. Especially when traveling in ethnic minority areas, it is important to pay attention to cultural taboos, such as taking off shoes when entering a Dai bamboo house, avoiding pork in Hui restaurants, and treating Buddhist statues, scriptures, and beads as sacred objects that must not be touched. It is recommended to listen carefully to the pre-trip introduction provided by the accompanying personnel and respect local culture and customs.
