Around seven kilometres west of Lhasa’s city centre and set within a huge park is the former summer residence of the Dalai Lama.

The Norbuling Ka, or Jewelled Garden, was abandoned in 1959 when the last Dalai Lama made his escape to exile. The occupation and annexation of Tibet by China forced its spiritual and political leader to leave his homeland in the Himalayas.

Adding to the splendid buildings and gardens of his predecessor, the eighth Dalai Lama further enhanced the grounds with beautiful pavilions and glorious scenic splendour. The most outstanding building that dates back to that time is the Tuzin Palace.

On the western edge of Norbuling Ka Park is a building that dates back to the twentieth century, the palace of the thirteenth Dalai Lama where the Jiansel Potrang once contained a precious collection of ancient thankas, the colourful banners of Tantric Buddhism.

The Jewelled Garden of Norbuling Ka well deserves its name and the summer residence of the Dalai Lama and its spacious parks are historic and much loved treasures of a bygone time.