Norbulingka means Jewel Garden. First built in 1751, it borrowed architectural style from the inland areas of China while maintaining local ethnic and religious features. Norbulingka served as a traditional summer palace and residence starting with the 7th Dalai Lama,and now it is the largest garden in Tibet.
The earliest building is the Gesang Pozhang Palace built by Kelzang Gyatso. The ‘New Palace’ was begun in 1954 by the present Dalai Lama and completed in 1956. It contains chapels, gardens, fountains and pools. 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.’
It is located 3km west of the Potala Palace and in 2001, UNESCO inscribed Norbulingka on World Heritage Site as part of the ‘Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace’.
