Norbulingka

ནོར་བུ་གླིང་ཀ།

The summer palace of successive Dalai Lamas and the largest man-made garden in Tibet. Its palaces, Tibetan-style gardens and Shoton Festival opera make it the most relaxed of the World Heritage sites.

Norbulingka lies about 3 kilometers west of the Potala Palace, on the north bank of the Lhasa River. In Tibetan, the name means 'Precious Garden'. The 7th Dalai Lama began building it in the 1740s, and later Dalai Lamas expanded it into a summer palace where they also conducted state affairs. It covers about 36 hectares and is the largest and most built-up garden in Tibet. In 2001 it was added to the World Heritage list as an extension of the Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace. Highlights include Kelsang Phodrang, the oldest palace, built by the 7th Dalai Lama; the Golden Palace, built for the 13th Dalai Lama; Takten Migyur Phodrang, the 'New Palace' built by the 14th Dalai Lama in 1954–1956, with murals depicting Tibetan history and modern facilities, and the most worthwhile building to study closely; Lake Palace (Tsogyi Phodrang), with its waterside pavilions; the old trees and gardens in the Tibetan-style grounds; and the zoo in the park (which you can skip). During the Shoton Festival (early 7th month of the Tibetan calendar, around August), Norbulingka is the main venue for Tibetan opera. Lhasa families bring butter tea and barley beer and spend the day picnicking in the park, a practice known as 'lingka'. It is the best time to experience festival life in Lhasa. Admission is 60 yuan in peak season and 30 yuan in the off-season. A visit takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. You can combine it with the Potala Palace (about 3 kilometers away) on the same day: visit the Potala in the morning and rest and stroll in Norbulingka in the afternoon. Getting there: take several bus routes to the Norbulingka stop. From the Potala Palace, a taxi takes about 10 minutes. Notes: the grounds are large and flat, which suits a gentle walk in the early stages of altitude adjustment. Photography is not allowed inside the palaces. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, so bring rain gear. The Tibet Museum (free admission, closed on Mondays) is directly across the road and can be visited at the same time.

Norbulingka

Opening hours

Nearby sights

Places to eat nearby