Norbulingka Park Travel Guide

Located at the top of the Jormo Zhaxi Ceri Mountain along the east bank of the Yarlung River, about 12 kilometers from Tsetang Town in Nedong County, Longbolhakang was the first palace built by the first Tibetan King Nitri Tsampo. It is considered as the "the Summer Palace" in Tibet.

Norbulingka Park or called Longbolhakang covers an area of 360,000 square meters (about 430,000 square yards), with 374 rooms inside. It is the biggest man-made garden in Tibet Autonomous Region. It is also the oldest existing example of Tibetan architecture.

Norbulingka consists of several palace complexes, such as the Kelsang Potrang, Tsokyil Potrang, Golden Linka and Takten Migyur Potrang. Each palace complex is divided into three sections - the palace section, the section in front of the palaces and the woods.

It was not used as a temple when it was first built. After Songtsan Gambo, the 32nd Tsampo, set up two-story halls at the both sides of the original palace, the Longbolhakang came to be used as a sutra hall. Expansion was made by every king and gateways were added to the two sides of the hall. Though not on a large scale, Longbolhakang has a time-honored history with a magnificent and spectacular appearance. It is very famous near and far.

Features
Norbulingka both reflects the ethical, religious features 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.

Traffic:

You can get there by bus No.2 which will cost you 2 yuan, or you can get there on foot from the center of the city.