Potala Palace

From the top of Red Hill (Marpo Ri), the Potala Palace—the former winter residence of the Dalai Lamas—rises above the landscape of Lhasa. The structure seen today, with more than 1,000 rooms across 13 stories, was largely built in the latter half of the 17th century. Constructed from rammed earth, stone, and wood, it follows the dzong fortress style and incorporates architectural influences from Chinese, Indian, and Nepalese traditions.