Norbulingka

The name means "Jeweled Park", a fitting title for this 200 years old park, stretching over 360,000 sq.mt. The 370 rooms summer palace of the Dalai Lamas is located inside this park.

The Seventh Dalai Lama constructed the summer palace in 1755 and each successive ruler added his own building. It was here that monks protected Dalai Lama XIV from “invitations” from the Chinese military before he fled Tibet and began his government in exile. The Norbulinka is well worth a visit at festival times and public holidays. It is a popular picnic spot and especially during the Shoton Festival the park is crowded with picnickers and during this festival traditional Tibetan opera performances are also held here. The complex contains a small zoo, botanical gardens, and a mansion. Its light-hearted air makes it less demanding than most other sights in Lhasa.