Potala Palace, Lhasa

The Potala Palace is the monumental residence of the Dalai Lama, spiritual leader of the Tibetan Buddhist. It is named after Mount Potala, believed by Tibetan Buddhists to be the abode of Chenresig, the Tibetan name for the Avalokitesvara.

Avalokitesvara is the bodhisattva that embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. He is referred to as Padmapani, or "Holder of the Lotus". Among the Chinese, the Avalokitesvara is often depicted in female form, and is known (although scholars are still deliberating over this) as the Guan Yin or Kuan Yin, the goddess of mercy. Among the Tibetans, the Avalokitesvara is believed to be incarnated in the Dalai Lama.

The Potala Palace measures 400 meters from east to west, and 350 meters from north to south. It is held in position by stone walls which are 3 meters thick on average, and 5 meters thick at the base. The complex is sixteen storeys tall, containing over 1000 rooms, 10,000 shrines and about 200,000 statues. It rises 1000 feet from the valley floor.