Introducing Norbulingka (Precious Stone Garden), Norbulingka (Precious Stone Garden) Guide.
Article from China Culture

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.

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.

Generally, visitors begin their trip from east entrance, and the ticket price of Norbulingka is 60 RMB per person, and usually the gardens are guarded by policeman, visitors are forbidden to take photos in the palaces. 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.

Quick Facts on Norbulingka (Precious Stone Garden)

• Name: Norbulingka (Precious Stone Garden)
• Location: Downtown Lhasa
• Best Time to Visit: March to October
• Recommended Time for a Visit: 4 Hours
• Opening Hours: 07:00-18:00
• Admission Fee: CNY 60