The Potala Palace in Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region opened a new route for tourists to relieve overcrowding.

The new route aims to ensure the safety of the relics while providing a better experience for tourists, the palace's website said.

"We usually receive about 2,000 tourists a day, but this has increased to over 5,000. Thus, we will open a second route," said a palace employee.

The Potala Palace is the highest ancient palace in the world. Its highest point is 3,750 meters above sea level and it is regarded as a defining symbol of the Tibet Autonomous Region in China. The Potala Palace has stood for centuries as a testament for Tibetan Buddhism. Thousands of pilgrims come every year to pay homage to this grand palace and what it represents.  

To protect the site, the administration has limited the tickets per day to 5,000 during the holiday season, meaning visitors have to reserve their tickets in advance. When their tickets are booked, they are given a specific entrance time for using them. The Palace attracted 1.45 million tourists in 2017, up 5.8 percent year-on-year, becoming a top destination in the Tibet Autonomous Region, according to Xinhua.

Now that the number of visitors is regularly surpassing 5,000 per day, a new route is set to be open to protect the buildings. It will cover 15 attractions, including the treasure hall and the porch of the Potrang Karpo, also known as the White Palace.

Here are some tips to make your trip to the Potala Palace unforgettable.

The ticket should be purchased at least a day in advance to secure your visit. They cost 200 yuan from May to October and 100 yuan the rest of the year. There are more than 30 sites to visit on the route, so make sure to plan ahead so you don't waste time. Remember, in the busy season, each trip lasts a maximum of one hour.

As this is a sacred palace, so please dress and act respectfully. Remember to take off your hat and sunglasses at the entrance. Dresses and shorts are also not  permitted. 

It is prohibited to take photos inside the palace due to the sacred nature of the building and the artworks.

At 3700 meters above the sea level, and with no lift service, you have to climb more than 1,000 steps up to the palace. Be careful about “altitude sickness” which may cause headaches, dizziness, or shortness of breath. If you are concerned about these effects, please take an oxygen tank with you. 

(With inputs from Global Times and Xinhua)