Zhol Town (ཞོལ་གྲོང་), the historic quarter beneath the Potala Palace in Lhasa, is scheduled to open a new visitor route on September 20, 2026. The route will allow visitors to explore historic residences, administrative buildings, a former prison, a treasury, and other heritage sites in the Zhol Town area. Unlike a visit to the main Potala Palace, this separate route focuses on the historic settlement at the foot of the palace. It offers travelers another opportunity to learn about Lhasa’s architectural heritage and the historic functions of the buildings surrounding Tibet’s most recognizable landmark.
This guide from Tibet Yak Travel covers the opening date, ticket prices, seasonal visiting hours, booking arrangements, route entrances, and the eight attractions included in the announcement.
Why Zhol Town matters
Zhol Town (ཞོལ་གྲོང་) lies below the southern side of the Red Palace of the Potala. In Tibetan, Zhol means “below” or “beneath.” Settlements located below a fortress or palace were often called Zhol. Historical accounts describe Zhol as an important part of the Potala’s surrounding settlement. As the palace developed, the area included accommodation for workers, stables, workshops, storage buildings, government offices, and residences.
During the time of the Fifth Dalai Lama, Zhol became an important service and administrative area connected with the palace. Over time, more buildings and facilities were added, and the town became home to officials, artisans, and local residents. Today, Zhol Town offers visitors a closer look at the historic buildings and everyday administrative life associated with the Potala Palace.
History of Zhol Town
From a palace settlement to an important town
Historical accounts connect the development of Zhol with the history of the Potala Palace and earlier royal traditions in Lhasa. According to one account, the settlement gradually developed around the palace established during the time of Songtsen Gampo. As the palace area expanded, buildings and facilities were constructed to support the people working and living there.
These included workers’ accommodation, stables, workshops, and other service buildings. Over time, the settlement became an important part of the wider palace area.
Zhol Town during the Fifth Dalai Lama’s time
Zhol Town became particularly important during the time of the Fifth Dalai Lama, when the Potala Palace developed into a major political and religious center.
Historical descriptions mention facilities within the surrounding walls, including:
- Goma Dzod Dorje Ling
- The Zhol printing house
- Granaries
- Zhölpa Lekhung, an administrative office
- Inner and outer stables
As the area developed, additional government offices, service facilities, aristocratic estates, artisan workplaces, and residences appeared. These buildings supported the daily operations of the palace and the wider community. Zhol Town therefore offers a glimpse into the administrative, residential, and economic life associated with historic Lhasa.
Eight Historic Sites on the Zhol Town Visitor Route
The new visitor route includes eight historic sites:
| English name | Tibetan name |
|---|---|
| Pelshi Residence | སྤེལ་བཞི་གཟིམ་ཤག་ |
| Zhol Prison | ཞོལ་བཙོན་ཁང་ |
| Zhölpa Lekhung | ཞོལ་པ་ལས་ཁུངས་ |
| Treasure Hall | དབྱིག་ནོར་ཁང་ |
| Chang Tavern | ཆང་ཚང་ |
| Mint | དངུལ་དཔར་ཁང་ |
| Khenzur Residence | མཁན་ཟུར་གཟིམ་ཤག་ |
| Lungshar Residence | ལུང་ཤར་གཟིམ་ཤག་ |
Together, these sites represent different aspects of Zhol Town’s history, including administration, residential life, storage, and local economic activity.
Zhölpa Lekhung (ཞོལ་པ་ལས་ཁུངས་)
A historic administrative building
Zhölpa Lekhung was a government administrative building in Zhol Town. It is believed to have been built before the 17th century. Its architectural features suggest that the building may originally have served a religious purpose before being used for government administration.
Architectural features
The building has several notable features:
- A large assembly hall: A spacious interior that may reflect its earlier institutional function.
- A four-pillar portico: A covered entrance area supported by four pillars.
- A decorative penma frieze: A traditional penma (span ma) decorative band near the top of the building.
These features provide clues to the building’s earlier architectural character, although they do not by themselves establish its original function.
Renovation and later use
The third floor of Zhölpa Lekhung underwent extensive renovation during the 1930s and 1940s. In more recent times, the building housed offices of the Cultural Relics Office of the Tibet Autonomous Region. Its changing use reflects the broader history of Zhol Town, where buildings served religious, administrative, and other community functions over time.
Shol Town Visitor Route: Opening Date and Ticket Prices
The new Zhol Town visitor route is scheduled to officially open on September 20, 2026. Visitors need to purchase a separate ticket for Zhol Town. This ticket is not the same as admission to the main Potala Palace.
Opening hours and admission fees
| Season | Dates | Opening time | Last admission | Full ticket | Discounted ticket |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peak season | May 1–October 31 | 9:00 | 15:40 | ¥25 | ¥12.5 |
| Low season | November 1–April 30 | 9:30 | 15:20 | ¥10 | ¥5 |
Free admission: Entry is free during the applicable “Winter Tour Tibet” policy period. Check the official reservation mini-program for the dates and eligibility requirements. Discounts and exemptions may depend on the applicable official policy. Confirm the details before visiting.
How to Reserve a Zhol Town Ticket
According to the visitor information provided, tickets must be reserved through the Potala Palace Official Ticket Reservation System on WeChat.
Before your visit:
- Open the official reservation mini-program on WeChat.
- Check the available dates and admission requirements.
- Select the appropriate ticket category.
- Review any discount or exemption conditions.
- Follow the system’s instructions to complete your reservation.
Availability, booking requirements, and ticket policies should be confirmed through the official system before travel.
Entry and Exit Gates
The visitor route has designated entry and exit points:
| Route point | Gate |
|---|---|
| Entry | East Gate or South Gate |
| Exit | Zhol Town West Gate |
Follow the signs and instructions provided at the site.
Important: The Zhol Town ticket covers the designated Zhol Town route only. It does not include access to the main Potala Palace buildings.
Tips for Visiting Zhol Town
- Check the ticket separately: Zhol Town admission is separate from the main Potala Palace ticket.
- Reserve in advance: Use the official WeChat mini-program and confirm the booking requirements.
- Check seasonal hours: Opening and last-admission times differ between peak and low seasons.
- Confirm discounts: Free admission and reduced-price tickets depend on applicable policies.
- Follow the route: Enter through the East or South Gate and leave through the Zhol Town West Gate, according to the visitor instructions.
- Allow time to explore: The route includes eight historic sites, so plan enough time to visit them without rushing.
The announcement does not explicitly confirm whether both pillars are included within the newly designated ticketed route. Check the official visitor map and on-site instructions.
Can You Visit Zhol Town and the Potala Palace on the Same Day?
Zhol Town and the main Potala Palace are separate sightseeing experiences with different admission arrangements. If you wish to visit both, check the ticketing requirements for each and allow enough time for entry procedures and sightseeing.
A combined visit may be possible depending on ticket availability, opening hours, and your itinerary. However, the Zhol Town ticket itself does not include the main palace. For travelers with limited time in Lhasa, it is useful to confirm the day’s schedule before arranging transportation or other activities.
Travel Tips for Visiting Zhol Town
- Check ticket availability before arriving. Use the official Potala Palace ticket reservation mini-program and confirm the admission conditions for your chosen date.
- Pay attention to the last admission time. The deadline differs between peak and low seasons. Arrive with enough time to enter and complete the route.
- Follow the designated route. Enter through the East or South Gate and exit through the West Gate, following official instructions.
- Respect historic buildings and cultural relics. Do not touch or damage historic structures or objects. Follow any restrictions on photography and access.
- Allow time to acclimatize in Lhasa. Lhasa is at high altitude. If you are arriving from a lower elevation, allow time to adjust, avoid overexertion, and explore at a comfortable pace.
- Confirm what your ticket includes. Zhol Town admission is separate from the main Potala Palace ticket. Check each reservation carefully if you plan to visit both.
Add Zhol Town to Your Lhasa Tibet Tour
The new Zhol Town visitor route offers another way to explore the historic surroundings of the Potala Palace. For travelers interested in Tibetan architecture, history, and cultural heritage, it can complement visits to other Lhasa attractions such as the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street.
Tibet Yak Travel helps visitors plan private and small-group Tibet tours, including Lhasa sightseeing and longer journeys to Everest Base Camp and Mount Kailash. If you are planning a Tibet trip in 2026 or beyond, contact Tibet Yak Travel to discuss your itinerary, permits, transportation, and sightseeing arrangements.
Explore Lhasa and the Tibetan Plateau with Tibet Yak Travel.
Frequently Asked Questions About Zhol Town
When does the Zhol Town visitor route open?
The route is scheduled to officially open on September 20, 2026.
Where is Zhol Town?
Zhol Town is located beneath the southern side of the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet.
How much does a Zhol Town ticket cost?
The full-price ticket is ¥25 during peak season and ¥10 during low season. Discounted tickets cost ¥12.5 and ¥5, respectively.
What are the opening hours?
During peak season, the route opens at 9:00 AM, with last admission at 3:40 PM. During low season, it opens at 9:30 AM, with last admission at 3:20 PM.
Where can I book tickets?
Visitors must book through the official Potala Palace Official Ticket Reservation System WeChat mini-program.
Does a Zhol Town ticket include the Potala Palace?
No. The Zhol Town route is limited to the historic quarter and does not include entry into the main Potala Palace buildings.
Which gates are used?
Visitors enter through the East Gate or South Gate and exit through the West Gate of Zhol Town.
What attractions are included?
The eight listed sites are Spe Zhi Residence, Zhol Prison, Zhol Administrative Office, Treasure Hall, Chang Tavern, Mint, Khenzur Residence, and Lungshar Residence.
Is Zhol Town free during winter?
Admission is free during the applicable Winter Tour Tibet policy period. Check the official ticketing mini-program for dates and eligibility.
Are the historic stone pillars included in the new route?
The pillars are associated with the wider Zhol area, but the announcement does not explicitly confirm whether they are included in the ticketed route. Check the official visitor map and on-site information.
