Norbulingka

Introducing Norbulingka
Norbulingka also called Lhasa People’s Park is the summer palace of Dalai Lama and the site of World Cultural Heritage. In Tibetan language, it means “Treasure Park”. Located on the west side of downtown Lhasa, Norbulingka currently is the largest and comprehensive public park with most historical sites and best landscape in Lhasa, and also the national key tourist attractions in Tibetan region. Over the past, Dalai Lama used to move to Norbulingka from Potala Palace for leisure and political administration in summer.

Norbulingka Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Luo Bu Lin Ka 罗布林卡
• Best Time to Visit: March to October
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 2 to 3 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Garden, Tibetan Buddhism
• Opening Hours: 09:00-17:30
• Entrance Fee: CNY 60
• Address: Luodui East Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa, Tibet

What to expect at Norbulingka

Originally, Norbulingka was the site of hot spring, and the seventh Dalai Lama built the first palace there to relieve his arthritis. Norbulingka building complex actually featured of the Tibetan classical gardens and comprised of 374 houses or mansions is gradually extended by the seventh Dalai Lama and his successors in different periods. Nowadays, Norbulingka has three parts. The east part including the entrance and the rear of pavilion of suppressing three worlds(Weizhen Sanjie Pavilion); The middle part is the core of Norbulingka, the part of palace complex; the west part is the natural forest for outdoor leisure. The garden structure of Norbulingka is both featured of the characteristics of Tibet plateau and the traditional Chinese gardening arts.

Norbulingka is the complex of religion and politics as well as private life. The history of palaces releases the historical succession of Tibet. Starting from the seventh Dalai Lama to the 14th Dalai Lama, nearly each of them had his own palace in this garden. The palace is Tibetan language is pronounced as Pozhang. The most famous palaces in Norbulingka are represented by Lake Central Palace, Pavilion of Suppressing Three Worlds , Gesangpozhang Palace, New Palace, Jinse Lingka including Jinse Palace, and each palace is comprised of three sections: the front area, the palace area and the forest area. The other important attractions in Norbulingka also include Deer Garden, Monkey Hill and Stadium for Children.

How to get to Norbulingka
• Norbulingka is lcated at downtown Lhasa, visitors can get there by different vehicles like buses, taxis, tricycles, bikes, etc.
• Take bus 8, 13, 14 or 24 to Norbulingka
• Rent a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Lhasa to Norbulingka.

Additional travel advice on Norbulingka
• Norbulingka is a religious site, so visitors should dress modestly, behave with good manner. Do not talk too loud.
• Generally, visitors begin their trip from east entrance, and usually the gardens are guarded by policeman, visitors are forbidden to take photos in the palaces.
• Please wear sunglasses and sun cream to protect from the sunburn and strong ultraviolet radiation in the daytime.
• Tibet Museum at the southeast corner of Norbulingka is a great place to visit.