Norbulingka

Norbulingka, meaning 'Treasure Park' in Tibetan, is situated in the western suburb of Lhasa City, on the bank of the Kyichu River, about one kilometer (0.6 miles) southwest of Potala Palace. The garden covers an area of 360,000 square meters (88 acres), with 374 rooms in the various buildings the garden holds. It is the biggest man-made garden in Tibet.

The park was built by the Seventh Dalai Lama in 1755, and became the summer residence of the Eighth Dalai Lama. The earliest building is Gesang Pozhang Palace built by Kelzang Gyatso. The 'New Palace' was begun in 1954 by the present Dalai Lama and completed in 1956. In addition to these two buildings, the garden contains an abundance of chapels, gardens, fountains, and pools as well as a variety of beautiful flowers and trees. To the west the Kalsang Potang built by Seventh Dalai Lama is a beautiful example of Yellow Hat architecture. Its fully restored throne room is also of interest.

The Treasure Park both reflects the ethnic and religious traits of the Tibetan people and embodies the architecture style of inland China. It is of great cultural value and was listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 2001 as an extension of Potala Palace.