Lhasa's Forbidden City—Norbulingka

"If you visit only one garden in Lhasa, it has to be Norbulingka!" 👉 A UNESCO World Heritage Site + Summer Palace of the Dalai Lama + Alpine Botanical Garden + Live Tibetan Opera—four layers of cultural immersion await you. As the final stop on the Yunnan-Tibet Highway road trip to Lhasa, this is undoubtedly the ultimate destination for a full-on Tibetan cultural experience! 🌿 Why is Norbulingka a must-visit on the Yunnan-Tibet Highway? ✅ "The Yuanmingyuan of Tibet": Spanning 360,000㎡, this Tibetan-style garden is quieter than the Potala Palace and more artistic than Barkhor Street. With three main palaces—Kelsang Palace, Golden Palace, and Deden Mingyur Palace—you'll find murals, thangkas, and gilded statues that will leave history buffs in awe. ✅ The pinnacle of alpine botanical gardens: Over 100 plant species in one place! From Lhasa wildflowers to rare Himalayan herbs, plus famous flowers like peonies and peony roses from inland China. In May and June, the rhododendrons, hydrangeas, and fields of cosmos flowers create breathtaking views, perfect for photos with a natural oil-painting effect. ✅ Tibetan Opera during Shoton Festival: Every Tibetan lunar June (August in the Gregorian calendar), Norbulingka transforms into a "Tibetan music festival" with thousands of tents and top-tier Tibetan opera performances. Locals bring their whole families, and the atmosphere is livelier than a concert! 📸 Best Photo Spots 1️⃣ Kelsang Palace Lawn: Use the white walls and golden roof as a backdrop. Run in traditional Tibetan attire for a candid shot with the caption: "A day as a noble in the Dalai Lama's summer palace." 2️⃣ Tsokyil Palace Lakeside Pavilion: Capture reflections, weeping willows, and prayer flags. Use portrait mode on your phone for a National Geographic cover-worthy shot. 3️⃣ Deden Mingyur Palace Mural Corridor: Stand in front of 301 Tibetan history murals with flash on for a "Tibetan princess traveling through time" vibe. 🌼 Hidden Experiences at Norbulingka 🔸 Shoton Festival Picnic: Lay out a mat, sip butter tea, and watch Tibetan opera like a local to experience "summer in Lhasa." 🔸 Discover the Princess Wencheng Mural: Hidden on the second floor of Kelsang Palace, this mural showcases the fusion of Han and Tibetan cultures. Wearing Hanfu for photos here is a must. 🔸 Mural Replication at the New Palace: Deden Mingyur Palace offers a mural replication experience where you can paint your own Green Tara to take home. 💡 Fun Facts Norbulingka was once the Dalai Lama's office and private garden. Today, staff still work in the Golden Palace, with a 50% chance of spotting them! The "Kangsong Silun" Opera House in the garden is Tibet's oldest cinema, where black-and-white films were screened in 1940. The Dragon King Pavilion in Tsokyil Palace houses Tibet's largest prayer wheel. Spinning it counterclockwise three times equals reciting the six-syllable mantra 100,000 times. 🌄 "At Norbulingka, I finally understood what 'poetic living on the plateau' truly means." This summer, as the final stop on your Yunnan-Tibet road trip, make sure to set aside half a day for this enchanting place! 💫