Potala Palace was the abode of the Dalai Lama until the 14th Dalai Lama fled the palace to India during the 1959 Tibetan Uprising. It is located in Lhasa, an autonomous Chinese Region. Today, it is a museum and a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. Check out the following facts about the palace.

Potala Palace was the abode of the Dalai Lama until the 14th Dalai Lama fled the palace to India during the 1959 Tibetan Uprising. It is located in Lhasa, an autonomous Chinese Region. Today, it is a museum and a UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site. Check out the following facts about the palace.

1. Construction of the Palace was started by Lozang Gyatso, the Great Fifth Dalai Lama; after a spiritual advisor, Konchog Chophel, pointed out that the site between the city of Lhasa, Drepung and Sera monasteries was ideal for the seat of government.

2. The palace is named after Mount Potalaka, the mythical abode of Chenresig or Avalokitesvara.

3. The Palace measures 400 meters east-west and 350 meters north-south.

4. From 1653 to 1889, the Potala Palace was the world's tallest building.

5. From the palace's roof and balconies, one can see Lhasa city and, beyond, the valley countryside and distant snow-capped Himalayan mountains.

6. The palace is one of the most treasured Tibetan artistic and architectural marvels. It boasts colorfully painted mural art work. With a whopping 689 murals, it might be the only place in the world you can see such a huge pool of Murals.

7. The Potala Palace is the highest placed building in the world at 3,700 meters (12,000 feet) above the sea level. Visitors to the palace are advised to get acclimatized to high attitude before visiting.

8. Amazingly, the Potala Palace is a 13-storey building with three sets of stairs. Unfortunately, only the Dalai Lama is allowed to use the middle one and the easiest. You will have to be ready to burn calories if you want to get to the building's roof.

9. Unlike other religious shrines that have adopted modern incense, visitors to the Palace will encounter the ancient chanting and incense such as yak-butter burning lamps.

10. Potala Palace is one of the symbols of Tibetan Buddhism. Do not be surprised to meet Buddhists paying their respects to the fallen Dalai Lama's.

For an all-round view of the scenic ice capped Himalayas as well a fun filled exploration experience of the Buddhism religion, the Potala Palace is the place to be. If you are a Buddhist and are yet to visit the palace, then you need to put it in your bucket list.