Potala Palace through the seasons: Eternal testament of time

Rising 3,700 meters above sea level, the Potala Palace crowns Red Hill in northwestern Lhasa, in China's Xizang Autonomous Region. Its fortress-like silhouette stands out against a backdrop of snow-capped peaks.

For over 1,300 years, this majestic complex has sat atop the hill, witnessing the harmonious blend of China's diverse cultures and recording Xizang's journey toward prosperity and renewal in the new era.

A sacred place of faith and a monumental record of history, the Potala Palace serves as a window for the world to understand the real Xizang. Its walls embody millennia of cultural heritage, yet its stories continue to be told in a language the modern world embraces.

As Xizang celebrates its 60th founding anniversary, the palace remains in quiet grandeur, through spring's bloom, summer's brightness, autumn's gold, and winter's silence. It stays steadfast through the passage of hours and centuries, carrying the devotion of generations and standing as a timeless symbol of heritage.

(Text by Xie Jiaxun; All photos by Losang Tashi)