The initiative introduced by the palace's administrative office is part of Lhasa's third round of promoting winter tourism.
Ticket price to visit Potala Palace is dependent on the season. Between May, 1 and October, 31 it is usually CNY200 (~USD28); in low season, between November 1 and April, 30, it is half price (CNY100/USD14) as stated on the official website of the Potala Palace.
In a bid to ease visitor conjestion during summer, the administration of the Palace decided to offer free admission during winter period to encourage more tourists to visit the place. While it is free to visit now, tourists are still required to make an appointment for the entrance ticket one day prior to visiting. Free tickets can be booked through the official website or at the ticket office.
Potala Palace used to be the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas from 1649 to 1959 after what the place was revamped as a museum. It is the highest ancient palace in the world. Made mainly of stone and wood, the palace is decorated with special local willow branches called Baima Grass.
The building measures 400 metres east-west and 350 metres north-south and 117 metres high. It features sloping stone walls 3 metres thick. Copper was poured into the foundations to make it earthquake-resistant. Thirteen storeys of the palace contain over 1,000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and about 200,000 statues.
Potala Palace is an important symbol of cultural and economic communication between Tibet Autonomous Region and the world.
Potala Palace in Lhasa Offers Free Admission
News in Asia
Potala Palace, a dzong fortress and a World Heritage Site since 1994 located in the city of Lhasa, in China's Tibet Autonomous Region, will offer free admission to visitors from October, 15, 2019 through March, 15, 2020.