Norbulingka Palace, surrounded by 360,000 square meters of gardens, stands on the banks of the Kyichu River in west Lhasa. The gardens are the largest in Tibet, famous all over the world for their beauty. The word Norbulingka means Treasure Park, and in 2001 UNESCO recognized the name’s aptitude by making Norbulingka a World Heritage Site.

Before the palace was constructed, the land was forested, and a favorite haunt of the seventh Dalai Lama’s. In the 1740’s he ordered the construction of a palace on the grounds, the Kelsang Potrang, which he used as a summer palace. After his death, his successors used the palace for political meetings and ceremonies.

Kelsang Potrang is three floors, with the Dalai Lama’s apartments, reading rooms, and his personal sanctuary. Aside from this magnificent building, there are a number of other palaces and pavilions in the gardens. The Tsokyil Potrang was built by the eighth Dalai Lama and is considered the most beautiful in the gardens. The most recent addition was made in 1954, Takten Migyur Potrang, the new summer palace, built by the 14th Dalai Lama.

Apart from the many halls and palaces the gardens are magnificent, lush green lawns, trees and flowers. Many pavilions were built in the first place so people could sit in the shade while they looked out at the gardens.

The Norbulingka area stands just to the south of Potala Palace so it’s convenient to see both in the same day.

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