Lhasa · 布达拉宫
At a glance
Full times, prices and rules
- Ticket release
- Tickets released 10 days ahead through the official WeChat mini-program; no same-day tickets. Agencies advise booking your Tibet tour at least 20 days ahead (permit processing takes 8–9 business days).
- Price
- Peak season (1 May–31 Oct 2026): Route 1 CNY 200, Route 2 CNY 100 (official notice, 24 Apr 2026; concessions CNY 100 / 50). Off season: CNY 100 for both routes (agency figure, not confirmed officially). Usually included in your tour package.
Ticket prices
- Route 1 (peak)CNY 200May 1–Oct 31
- Route 2 (peak)CNY 100May 1–Oct 31
- Off seasonCNY 100Both routes
Peak-season prices (1 May–31 Oct 2026) are from the Potala Palace Administration’s notice, published by the Xizang Department of Culture and Tourism on 24 Apr 2026 (concessions: Route 1 CNY 100, Route 2 CNY 50). The off-season price comes from a licensed Lhasa agency (tibettravel.org) and isn’t confirmed officially.
Licensed Tibet tour agency
Foreign visitors need a Tibet Travel Permit, which only a licensed Tibet travel agency can apply for, so you'll be on an agency tour. The agency books your timed Potala ticket as part of the package. The palace's own ticketing is a WeChat mini-program that releases tickets 10 days ahead.
Agency booking infoLast checked 6 Oct 2026 · How we verify
Step-by-step booking guide
Screenshots captured live on 6 Oct 2026 on tibettravel.org (licensed agency) (desktop 1280×800). Tap any screenshot to enlarge. We stopped before entering personal data or paying.
- 1
Book a tour with a licensed Tibet travel agency
Foreigners must apply for a Tibet Travel Permit before entering Lhasa, and only a licensed agency can submit the application. Book at least 20 days ahead.
1Tickets open 10 days ahead — book your tour at least 20 days ahead. 
2The Tibet Travel Permit is applied for only through a local Tibet travel agency. 2 screenshots — swipe or scroll sideways
- 2
Send your passport and Chinese visa details
The agency needs your passport and Chinese visa (or visa-free entry details) for the permit, which takes 8–9 business days.
- 3
The agency books your Potala ticket
Tickets are released 10 days ahead through the palace's WeChat mini-program and are included in your tour package. Confirm your route (Route 1 or Route 2) and entry time with the agency.
3No same-day tickets; on a tour, the agency books your Potala ticket. - 4
Bring the same passport on the day
The passport you show at the palace must be the one used to book. There are no same-day tickets and the entry time can't be changed.
- 5
Keep to the 2-hour visit
Your visit is limited to 2 hours on a fixed route. Photography is restricted inside the halls.
Key pitfalls
- You can't visit Tibet independently: foreigners need a Tibet Travel Permit, applied for only through a licensed Tibet travel agency (individual applications aren't accepted).
- Book your tour at least 20 days ahead. The permit takes 8–9 business days, and Potala tickets are only released 10 days ahead.
- No same-day tickets. Your route and entry time are fixed and can't be changed on the day.
- Bring the same passport used for the booking. Your visit is limited to 2 hours.
- Altitude: Lhasa is about 3,650 m. Rest and acclimatise before climbing the palace steps.
If it doesn’t work
Backup options
Brief backups — not competing primary paths.
What recent travelers report
Stuck booking? Message me on WhatsApp
Xiaocong, a local in China, replies 9:00–24:00 Beijing time. Send a screenshot of the step you’re stuck on.
Message on WhatsAppCheck before you go
Unverified or may have changed — confirm on the booking channel.
- The 2-hour limit and the off-season price come from a licensed Lhasa agency (tibettravel.org), not an official palace page. Confirm with your agency.
FAQ
Can foreigners book Potala Palace tickets themselves?
In practice, no. Foreign visitors need a Tibet Travel Permit, which only a licensed agency can apply for, and the agency books the Potala ticket as part of your tour.
Source: tibettravel.org
How far ahead are Potala tickets released?
The Lhasa government advises booking 10 days ahead in the official “布达拉宫票务预订系统” WeChat mini-program. There are no same-day tickets.
Source: lasa.gov.cn
How long does the Tibet Travel Permit take?
8–9 business days through your agency. Agencies recommend booking your tour at least 20 days ahead.
Source: tibettravel.org
How much is a Potala ticket?
Peak season (1 May–31 Oct 2026): CNY 200 for Route 1 and CNY 100 for Route 2, per the Potala Palace Administration’s official notice. Off season, a licensed agency quotes CNY 100. It’s usually included in your tour price.
Source: wlt.xizang.gov.cn
What ID do I need?
Your original passport, the same one used for the booking, plus your Tibet Travel Permit.
Source: tibettravel.org
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Sources
- wlt.xizang.gov.cnOfficial notice (24 Apr 2026, Potala Palace Administration): peak season 1 May–31 Oct, Route 1 CNY 200 / Route 2 CNY 100, concessions 100 / 50, book 10 days ahead, last entry 15:40 · accessed 6 Oct 2026
- Our own booking-flow walkthrough (checked 6 Oct 2026)agency ticket guide (10-day WeChat release, no same-day tickets, 2-hour visit, prices) and Tibet Travel Permit page (agency-only application)
- lasa.gov.cnLhasa government (28 Sep 2026): Potala real-name booking, book 10 days ahead in the “布达拉宫票务预订系统” WeChat mini-program · accessed 6 Oct 2026
- tibettravel.orgpermit + visit tips · accessed 6 Oct 2026
- tibettravel.orgadvance ticket booking notes · accessed 6 Oct 2026
- chinaadventure.orgpermit requirement summary · accessed 6 Oct 2026
- tibettravel.orgAgency guide to Potala timed tickets via permit operators · accessed 6 Oct 2026
- china-embassy.orgChinese embassy context for Tibet Travel Permit requirements (verify current rules) · accessed 6 Oct 2026
- reddit.comIndependent booking limits for Tibet noted by travelers · accessed 6 Oct 2026
- tibettravel.orgTibet Travel Permit: agency-only application, 8–9 business days · accessed 6 Oct 2026
Last checked 6 Oct 2026 · How we verify