Potala Palace Timeline

(637 CE - Present)

The Potala Palace is a monumental fortress-palace in Lhasa, Tibet, perched atop Red Hill (Marpo Ri) at an altitude of about 3,700 meters. Originally built in 637 CE by Songtsen Gampo and expanded beginning in 1645 by the Fifth Dalai Lama, it served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas and the political center of Tibet until 1959. Renowned for its White Palace and Red Palace sections, it houses chapels, tombs of past Dalai Lamas, and thousands of artworks, making it one of Tibet's most iconic cultural landmarks. More Less

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Origins and Planning

Lhasa placed under Ganden Podrang jurisdiction by Tsang

1621

During 1621, Lhasa was made the jurisdiction of Ganden Podrang by Tsang, setting the political stage for the region that would later become the site of the Potala Palace.

Gushri Khan conquers Tibet and offers it to the Dalai Lama

Mar 1642

During the third month of 1642, Gushri Khan, the Dharma King and Holder of the Faith, took from the Sde-srid Tsang-pa regime of the Garma Kagyu Sect the places in Tibet held by that government, and then offered the thirteen parts of Tibet — the whole land of Wooden Doors — to the Dalai Lama.

Decision to build a palace at Potala

1644

Sometime during or soon after 1644, the Dalai Lama, the then regent of Ganden Podrang, and Gushri Khan all decided to build a palace on the site that would become the Potala Palace.

Konchog Chophel identifies the ideal site for the palace

1645

Konchog Chophel, the Thirty-fifth Ganden Tripa of the Gelug school, advised the 5th Dalai Lama that the site was ideal as a seat of government, situated between Drepung and Sera monasteries and the old city of Lhasa.

Image source: Potala Palace

Construction

Great Fifth Dalai Lama starts building the modern palace

1645

Ngawang Lozang Gyatso, the Great Fifth Dalai Lama, started the construction of the modern Potala Palace in 1645, after his spiritual adviser Konchog Chophel pointed out that the site was ideal as a seat of government.

Image source: 5th Dalai Lama

Construction of the present structure begins under the 5th Dalai Lama

1645 - 1694

Construction of the present structure was begun in 1645 at the order of the 5th Dalai Lama, advised by Konchog Chophel. The work continued long after the Great Fifth's death, lasting until 1694.

Dalai Lama moves into the White Palace

1649

The Dalai Lama and his government moved into the Potrang Karpo ('White Palace') in 1649, which from then until 1959 served as the residence of the Dalai Lamas.

Red Palace added to the complex

1690 - 1694

The Potrang Marpo ('Red Palace') was added to the Potala complex between 1690 and 1694, completing the main construction phase twelve years after the death of the Great Fifth Dalai Lama.

Main construction completed

1694

Construction of the Potala Palace lasted until 1694, some twelve years after the death of the Great Fifth Dalai Lama, marking the completion of the present structure.

Yamantaka Mandala created

1751

The Yamantaka Mandala, an intricate tantric artwork housed within the palace, was made during 1751.

Image source: Yamantaka

Political History

Palace serves as winter residence of the Dalai Lamas

1649 - 1959

The Potala Palace was formerly the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas, and from 1649 until 1959 served as their official residence.

Palace colloquially known as 'Peak Potala' (Tse Potala)

1950

By 1950 the 'Potala' was known colloquially as 'Peak Potala' (Tse Potala), or most commonly simply as 'the Peak'.

Dalai Lamas' residence era ends

1959

In 1959, after serving as the residence of the Dalai Lamas since 1649, the palace ceased to function as their home following the events of the Tibetan uprising.

Palace damaged during Tibetan uprising against Chinese forces

1959

The palace was damaged during the Tibetan uprising against the Chinese in 1959, when Chinese shells were launched into the palace's windows.

Image source: 1959 Tibetan uprising

Preservation and Tourism

Palace spared during Cultural Revolution through Zhou Enlai's intervention

1966

The Potala Palace escaped damage during the Cultural Revolution in 1966 through the personal intervention of Zhou Enlai, who was then Premier of the People's Republic of China.

Image source: Zhou Enlai

First major restoration works begin

1989 - 1994

The palace received restoration works between 1989 and 1994, costing RMB55 million (US$6.875 million).

First restoration works completed

1994

The restoration works begun in 1989 were completed in 1994, having cost RMB55 million (US$6.875 million).

Potala Palace inscribed on UNESCO World Heritage List

1994

The Potala Palace was inscribed to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1994, recognizing its outstanding cultural significance.

Image source: World Heritage Site

Second major restoration commences

2002

A second restoration of the palace commenced in 2002 at a cost of RMB180 million (US$22.5 million), drawing UNESCO concern over materials, though director Qiangba Gesang clarified that only traditional materials and craftsmanship were used.

Visitor numbers restricted to 1,600 per day

May 1, 2003 - Jun 30, 2006

From 1 May 2003, the number of visitors to the palace was restricted to 1,600 a day, with opening hours reduced to six hours daily to avoid overcrowding.

Opening hours reduced to protect the palace

May 1, 2003

To avoid over-crowding, opening hours at the palace were reduced to six hours daily beginning 1 May 2003, alongside restrictions limiting visitors to 1,600 per day.

Restoration efforts completed

2006

Restoration efforts on the Potala Palace were completed in 2006, after which visits to the structure's roof were banned to avoid further structural damage.

Roof visits banned after restoration

2006

Visits to the structure's roof were banned after restoration efforts were completed in 2006 to avoid further structural damage.

Qingzang railway opens into Lhasa

Jul 1, 2006

The Qingzang railway into Lhasa opened on 1 July 2006, bringing a 30% increase in visitorship to the Potala Palace.

Image source: Qinghai–Tibet railway

Daily visitor quota raised to 2,300

Jul 1, 2006

Visitorship quotas were raised to 2,300 daily to accommodate a 30% increase in visitors since the opening of the Qingzang railway, but the quota is often reached by mid-morning.

Key Facts

The Potala Palace was first constructed in 637 CE by King Songtsen Gampo, reportedly for his bride Princess Wencheng of Tang China.
Its current grand form was begun in 1645 under the Fifth Dalai Lama, Lozang Gyatso, with the White Palace completed around 1653.
The Red Palace, added between 1690 and 1694 after the Fifth Dalai Lama's death, contains his elaborate golden tomb stupa.
Standing roughly 13 stories tall with over 1,000 rooms, it served as the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas and seat of Tibetan government until 1959.
The Potala Palace was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and is now a museum and major pilgrimage destination.

Source

This Potala Palace timeline was generated with the help of AI, using information found on the internet.

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