Li River, Guilin

The Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, is one of the most iconic structures in China. Perched on Red Hill at an altitude of 3,700 meters, this architectural marvel was the winter residence of the Dalai Lama and a symbol of Tibetan Buddhism. The palace was originally constructed in the 7th century and later expanded in the 17th century by the 5th Dalai Lama. It features 13 stories and over 1,000 rooms, including chapels, tombs of past Dalai Lamas, and countless artifacts of Tibetan culture and religion. The Potala Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a pilgrimage destination for Buddhists from around the world.