This is a remarkably well preserved palace but not very many of the 900 rooms are open to the public. It's 300 steps up (and down) and if you have not acclimatized or are unfit, you will struggle wi… Full review by Martin H
Oct 1, 2024
Potala Palace was built by Songtsen Gampo in 637CE. It stood on a hilltop like a fortress. There are 13 stories of stone, wood, and granite with many windows. Extending nearly 32 acres, its layout is… Full review by manfreddng
Aug 31, 2024
Firstly, I admit it. I don’t like being packed-in like a sardine. Loud environments. Where one group tries to yell over the next. In the futile process. All they succeed in doing is making it harder … Full review by PaulNZ
How much climbing is involved? Does the one-our tour accommodate people who can't climb quickly? Is there a way to drive partway to the top of the palace?
A:
I counted 342 steps; but this does not include the numerous sections of sloping walkway which also require some climbing. [If I were to include steps and sloping walkway sections, …
I counted 342 steps; but this does not include the numerous sections of sloping walkway which also require some climbing. [If I were to include steps and sloping walkway sections, my best guess is around 500 steps]. Just plan on taking it slow. It took us almost 2 hours to walk to the top; which includes stops at various locations to take pictures and site seeing. Buy some water after you go thru security, because you will need water for the long walk. It appears that a very small portion of the path can be assessed by construction vehicles for maintaining the site; so I don't believe you can drive pathway like other attractions such as Sera Monastery and Drepung Monastery.
Has anyone climbed up to the top of the Potala Palace and to the Monastery at Petra? I'd like to know if climbing to the Monastery at Petra is more difficult than climbing to the top of the Potala Palace.
A:
The monastery at Petra is, in my opinion, tougher than Potala. We are in our 50s and not in great shape and found Potola pretty easy. We had no acclimatization time in Lhasa, but …
The monastery at Petra is, in my opinion, tougher than Potala. We are in our 50s and not in great shape and found Potola pretty easy. We had no acclimatization time in Lhasa, but took the climb to Potala slow so no big deal at all. For the monastery at Petra we were 15 years younger and in decent shape and found that challenging, but maybe because it was the last hike we did after arriving at Petra early in the morning. You can do either climb if you're out of shape, you're just not going to "enjoy the journey"; the destination will still be awesome!
We would love to go to the Potala Palace. We are in our 60's and from sea level Florida. Do you need to take altitude sickness pills? Was everyone ok with the altitude? Please advise. And how was the food? Thanks...
A:
We would suggest that you take the acetazolamide (Diamox) to prevent altitude sickness while in Lhasa. The only person in our group who suffered from altitude sickness was the woman …
We would suggest that you take the acetazolamide (Diamox) to prevent altitude sickness while in Lhasa. The only person in our group who suffered from altitude sickness was the woman who did not take the Diamox as a preventative and missed one of the activities and the breakfast and lunch the day after arrival. Luckily, one traveler had extra Diamox and she improved after starting them. You may still feel short of breath in spite of taking the medication but you just need to go slow. In our group of 16 (age range 60 to 70's), 15 of the travelers made it to the top of the Potala Palace. The only person who did not go had back issues. We liked the food in Lhasa because we found the yak quite tasty. If you like bison, you would probably like the yak. We had a vegan traveler and she had plenty of choices in the restaurants. We ate 3 times in a restaurant in a shopping center and found the food to our liking. We traveled with a group of 16 with Overseas Adventure Travel so the restaurant choices were left to the guide. He made sure that each restaurant had food that would accommodate the preferences of our group and had access to western style toilets.
Do I need to book in advance to visit the Potala Palace
A:
We didn't have advanced tickets. Our guide purchased them when we arrived at the Palace. We went around 9 am and there was already a big queue (April), but it moved quickly. …
We didn't have advanced tickets. Our guide purchased them when we arrived at the Palace. We went around 9 am and there was already a big queue (April), but it moved quickly. Luckily in April the palace isn't too busy yet because when it gets busy there's a one hour time limit. Not sure how'd they'd enforce it though.
Is there any other way to get inside the palace for wheelchair boud person other than clbing the stairs? Thanks
A:
This is China, this is a historical building, buil on the side of a very steep hill. Really doesnt cater to ambulent visitors sorry. Its a beautiful view from the outside across the road in the …
This is China, this is a historical building, buil on the side of a very steep hill. Really doesnt cater to ambulent visitors sorry. Its a beautiful view from the outside across the road in the park, day and night. Even the streets are not very wheelchair friendly, like most of China.
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