NorbuLingka means “the Jeweled Garden”, it was the summer palace for Dalai lama (Potala palace was winter palace), with official name in English is “Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa”.
Brief
It is the largest garden in Tibet. It consists of 374 rooms/palaces, in total 360,000 square meter of wooded greenery and three palaces once used by the Dalai Lamas as a summer palace, and considered to be the largest man made garden in Tibet.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
It was built from 1755 AD by the 7th Dalai Lama and served both as administrative center and religious center. Norbulingka is a unique representation of Tibetan palace architecture. It has now been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was added as an extension of this Historic Ensemble in 2001.
The green palace
During the summer and autumn, this green palace becomes one spot of entertainment with dancing, singing, music and festivities for local people, it is also the site that held the annual Shoton festival (also “Yoghurt Festival”)
A number of buildings were damaged in the years of 60’s of 20th century, however, the local government initiated renovation to restore some of the damaged structures, and also the greenery, the flower gardens and the lakes in 2003
Norbulingka Data
Address & Contact
Add : No. 21, Luobulinka Road, Chengguan district
Contact : +86 891 682-6274
Opening hour
09:00 am – 18:00 pm
Altitude
3,650 meters
Entrance fee
High season RMB 80
Low season RMB 60
How to get to there
Norbulingka is located in the west area of Lhasa city, near Lhasa river pier. It is well connected by public transportation. Local taxi is the most convenient choice. Or, to use local public transportation: by bus line: 2 and 14, get off at bus stop: “Luo-Bu-Lin-Ka South Road stop”
Major Events
- Labours day : Tibetan play performance
- Shoton Festival : Tibetan play performance, religious mask dance
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