Historic Ensemble of Potala Palace, Lhasa (World Heritage Sites in China Series)

The Potala Palace is regarded as an outstanding work of human imagination and creativity for its design, decoration and harmonious setting within a dramatic landscape, truly a potent and exceptional symbol of the integration of secular and religious authority into a single entity. The Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple in Lhasa form a dramatic double act of spiritual power, architectural splendor and faith enduring against all adds. The beauty and originality of the architecture of the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple and Norbulingka Area, their rich ornamentation and harmonious integration in a striking landscape, add to their historic and religious interest.