Which palace in Lhasa was the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas?

Potala Palace in Lhasa was the winter residence of the Dalai Lamas.

The palace rises above Lhasa on Marpo Ri, or Red Hill, and became the principal winter residence of successive Dalai Lamas. The central Red Palace contains important religious halls and stupas, while the White Palace historically included living and administrative spaces.

Construction of the palace complex in its monumental form began in the seventeenth century under the Fifth Dalai Lama. It became a major center of Tibetan government and Buddhist practice, combining political, residential, and sacred functions in one dramatic Himalayan landmark.

Potala Palace is distinct from Norbulingka, which served as the Dalai Lamas’ summer residence. The Jokhang is Lhasa’s most sacred temple, but it was not the winter palace. UNESCO listed the Potala Palace as a World Heritage Site in 1994.