Potala Palace Audio Guide

Explore Potala Palace with Stanza's GPS-triggered offline audio guide.

Potala Palace

About the Tour

The Potala Palace is a historic fortress-palace in Lhasa, Tibet. Formerly the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, museum, and significant Buddhist temple.

Available on

Download Stanza App

Listen to the full audio guide on iOS & Android

What you will hear

The Fortress on the Red Mountain

Establishing the grand scale of the palace and its location on Marpo Ri. Using the verified World Heritage Site image as the primary anchor.

The Fortress on the Red Mountain

The Fortress on the Red Mountain

Welcome to one of the most significant architectural achievements in Asia, the Potala Palace, standing high on Red Mountain.

Listen in App

The Great Ascent: 1,000 Stone Steps

Illustrating the physically demanding climb required to reach the palace entrance at 3,700 meters.

The Path of a Thousand Steps

The Path of a Thousand Steps

Climbing to the palace entrance requires ascending over one thousand steps on a zigzagging stone staircase designed for both physical and mental preparation.

Listen in App

The White Palace: Seat of Government

Focusing on the administrative and residential section of the complex, known as Potrang Karpo.

Entrance of the High Priest

Entrance of the High Priest

Guarding the entrance to the high palace are massive black curtains made of yak hair, a material chosen for its incredible durability.

Listen in App

Deyang Shar: The East Courtyard

The large open courtyard used for religious dances and ceremonies.

Administrative Wing of the Palace

Administrative Wing of the Palace

Within these massive walls lies a labyrinth of over one thousand rooms, the result of a construction project that spanned forty-five years.

Listen in App

The Red Palace: The Spiritual Heart

Transitioning to the central crimson section dedicated to religious study and the tombs of the Dalai Lamas.

The Religious Red Palace

The Religious Red Palace

The Red Palace, or Potrang Marpo, is the crimson heart of the Potala, dedicated entirely to religious practice and spiritual history.

Listen in App

Want to hear the rest?

Download the Stanza app to unlock all 22 stops and full GPS-guided navigation.

Get the App