When did the Fifth Dalai Lama order the construction of Potala Palace?
The Fifth Dalai Lama ordered the construction of Potala Palace in 1645. This decision followed advice from Konchog Chophel, the Thirty-fifth Ganden Tripa of the Gelug school.
Questions about Potala Palace
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What is the height and altitude of Potala Palace on Marpo Ri?
Engineers built the structure at an altitude of about 3,700 metres on Marpo Ri. The complex rises 13 storeys high and reaches a height of 119 meters above the mountain.
How many rooms and statues does Potala Palace contain today?
The Potala contains more than 1,000 rooms housing some 200,000 statues. There are also 10,000 shrines scattered throughout the complex.
When was Potala Palace added to the UNESCO World Heritage List?
UNESCO inscribed the palace to its World Heritage List in 1994. Restoration work commenced in 2002 at a cost of RMB180 million or US$22.5 million.
What visitor quotas apply to Potala Palace starting from May 2003?
The number of visitors was restricted to 1,600 per day starting from the 1st of May 2003. Quotas rose to 2,300 daily following the opening of the Qingzang railway on the 1st of July 2006.