The Secret Garden Behind the Palace: Reflections and Serenity at Longwangtan

The Emerald Behind the Potala

1.Hidden in the shadow of the majestic Potala: Palace, specifically to its north at the foot of the Red Hill, lies a tranquil oasis known as Longwangtan (Dragon King Pool), officially named Zongjiao Lukang Park,. Unlike the imposing grandeur of the palace above, this park offers a soft, vibrant, and intimate glimpse into the daily lives of Lhasa's residents. In the Tibetan language, "Zongjiao" means "behind the palace (fortress)," and "Lukang" translates to "Temple of the Lu (Naga/Dragon King)," accurately describing its location and spiritual significance,. Covering an area of over 200,000 square meters, it serves as a green lung for the city and a beloved leisure spot where history, spirituality, and nature seamlessly blend,.

A History Carved from Earth

2.The origins of: Longwangtan are deeply intertwined with the construction of the Potala Palace itself. During the 17th century, when the 5th Dalai Lama (Lobsang Gyatso) undertook the massive reconstruction and expansion of the Potala Palace, vast amounts of earth were excavated from this site to build the palace walls and mix mortar. This excavation left a large depression which eventually filled with groundwater and rainwater, forming a lake,. Later, the 6th Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, renowned for his poetry and romantic spirit, invited the Dragon King (Mo Zhu Se Qin) and the Eight Great Dragons to dwell here, constructing a temple on a small island in the center of the lake to honor them. Thus, the "Dragon King Pool" came into being, evolving from a construction pit into a royal garden and sacred space,.

The Mirror of the Holy City

For photographers and travelers, Longwangtan offers one of the most iconic and breathtaking views in all of Tibet: the reflection of the Potala Palace. On clear days, the calm waters of the lake act as a perfect mirror, capturing the inverted image of the Red and White Palaces against the backdrop of blue sky and white clouds,. This perspective allows for a stunning composition that contrasts the solid, towering architecture of the palace with the fluid, serene beauty of the water. The surrounding ancient willows and lush vegetation add a frame of greenery that changes with the seasons—vibrant green in summer and golden yellow in autumn, making it a year-round paradise for visual arts,.

A Hub of Local Life

3.While tourists flock to the Potala: Palace, Longwangtan remains the domain of the locals, offering an authentic slice of Lhasa life. It is a prime location for the traditional Tibetan pastime of "Guo Linka" (spending time in the park). Daily, one can see elderly Tibetans spinning prayer wheels as they circumambulate the park (a Kora route), families picnicking under the century-old trees, and spirited groups performing traditional Guozhuang dances to the rhythm of music,. The park is also an ecological haven, teeming with bar-headed geese, ruddy shelducks, and black-headed gulls that migrate here, fed and admired by the compassionate visitors,. It is a place where the sacred and the secular coexist in harmony, offering a peaceful retreat from the bustle of the city,.