Amazing pic: Lightning 'strikes' Potala Palace in Tibet

Rex

When you're 170 metres tall and sit on top of a 100ft mountain, lightning strikes are something of an occupational hazard.

And the magnificent Potala Palace in Tibet narrowly escaped another blow as a huge storm raged behind it.

The palace has a history with lightning strikes, suffering a host of weather wounds over the years.

It was originally built in 637, and after damage from wars and lightning strikes it was restructured and expanded into the palace that is seen today.

During its time, the palace has been a primary residence for the leader of the Tibetan Buddhists, the Dalai Lama, with each successor (including the 14th and present) Dalai Lama living there.

When there was an invasion from the People's Republic of China in 1959, the Dalai Lama fled to India, and the palace has now become a majestic modern-day museum of the history of China, open year-round for tourists to visit.

Potala Palace is located in the city of Lhasa, and is about an hour and a half away from Lhasa Gonggar Airport.

Want to stay in pure luxury while you're there? You can't beat the brand new St Regis Lhasa Resort, which boasts its very own 24 carat gold-plated swimming pool. Yes, really.


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