A must visit when in Lhasa - and probably the key reason you came to Lhasa in the first place. Visit requires prior reservation (your guide or travel agaency will likely take care). After passing a security check and the ticket check, you have to climb many stairs up to the palace. With the high altitude and exposed to the sun, this can be very exhausting. Take it slowly!
Potala Palace is the symbol and landmark of Lhasa as well as Tibet and a sacred place for Buddhist pilgrims across the world. Thirteen floors and 115m high, this hillside palace was built in the early 7th century when Tibetan King Songtsan Gampo married Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty . It mainly consists of two parts, the Red Palace and the White Palace. The Red Palace is where religious rites are held, while the latter is the monks' living quarters.
Be prepared to be overwhelmed by Buddha statues, murals - and many many tourists.