Potala Palace Lahsa 3D model

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The Potala Palace, located in Lhasa, Tibet, China, was originally home to the Dalai Lama, the leader of Tibetan Buddhism. After his flight to India following the Maoist takeover in the 1950s, it became a museum and tourist attraction. Construction began in 1645 by the fifth Dalai Lama, Lozang Gyatso, who believed it was the perfect location for Tibetan government. The exterior took just three years to complete, but interior work wasn't finished until twelve years after his death. In 1959, during the Tibetan revolt against Chinese rule, the palace suffered shelling damage. It became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1994, with conservation efforts including banning tall buildings around its base and extensive restoration. Access is restricted to preserve these efforts. Built into Red Mountain at over 12,000 feet elevation, the palace has steep walls with small windows, resembling a fortress. The red central structure houses halls, chapels, and shrines filled with precious artwork. UNESCO expressed concern about modern buildings encroaching on the site's base.