Norbulingka


Norbuingka was built in 1755. That’s where the later generations after the 7th Dalai Lama deal with
affairs, hold celebrations and spend the hot season, rest and conduct religious activities. In the mid-
March every year, Dalai will move here from the Potala Palace, stay here until the end of October and
then return to the Potala Palace. So, Norbulingka is called “the summer palace” and the Potala Palace
“the winter palace”.

Norbulingka is the largest and grandest garden in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau with the highest
gardening level artistic level. It borrowed the architectural style from the inland areas of China while
maintaining and reflecting the local ethnic religious style from the inland areas of China while
maintaining and reflecting the local ethnic religious and natural features. It has been preserved intact
until now and was never damaged or changed in history. Because of its prominent and universal cultural values and its direct and close relations
with the Potala Palace, the Chinese government has decided to apply for its inclusion in the World Heritage as the extension of the Potala Palace.

Norbulingka Garden is dotted with many palaces built by different Dalai Lamas who came after the 7th Dalai Lama and spend time here in the
summers. Each Palace here is divided into three sections, worth to see as. The first palace that came up in Norbulingka was Kelsang Potrang,
which is a perfect example of yellow hat architecture. Built by the 7th Dalai Lama, this is 3 floor building which has bedrooms, reading rooms,
worship halls and a sanctuary as well. The next one built by the 8th Dalai Lama named Tyoksil Potrang is the palace that will mesmerize you the
most as it is known for its architectural splendor.

The gardens are a favorite picnic spot and provides a beautiful venue for theatre, dancing and festivals, particularly the Sho Dun or 'Yoghurt
Festival', at the beginning of August, with families camping in the grounds for days surrounded by colorful makeshift windbreaks of rugs and
scarves and enjoying the height of summer weather.

The palace is located three kilometers west of the Potala Palace which was the winter palace. Additional
buildings were added to the park during the first half of the 20th century. In 2001, UNESCO inscribed
Norbulingka on its World Heritage Site as part of the "Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace".

There is also a zoo at Norbulingka, originally to keep the animals which were given to the Dalai Lama.
Heinrich Harrer helped the 14th Dalai Lama build a small movie theatre there in the 1950s.