Norbulingka

It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as an extension of the Potala Palace complex, located on the western outskirts of Lhasa, directly opposite the Xizang Museum. Constructed starting from the 7th Dalai Lama in the 18th century, the sprawling garden integrates grand Tibetan palaces, ancient trees, lotus ponds, pavilions and religious halls. Core highlights include Gesang Podrang (the earliest built palace), Migyur Podrang (the New Palace with 301 precious murals recording Xizang’s complete history), the scenic Lake Heart Pavilion, and a small zoo with plateau rare animals. It is the core venue for the annual Xizang Shoton (Yogurt) Festival, perfectly paired with a visit to the Xizang Museum for a deep dive into local history and culture.