【Blog】Potala Palace - The Sweetest Palace

Every year, Potala Palace, located in the center of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet Autonomous Region, will be repainted after the rainy season.

Why do people paint the Potala Palace every year?

It's an important way to protect the architecture. After the rainy season, the wall of Potala Palace become porous. Besides, the wood material may be moth-eaten and decomposed. Different from other buildings, the paint used on Potala Palace is added with gypsum, milk, white sugar and honey.

Why do we use sugar?

By adding some sugar and honey, the paint becomes more viscous and sticky, which makes the it difficult to fall off.

Apart from sugar, professional workers will also add some red and yellow (main color of Potala Palace) mineral materials to keep the color always being bright.

Besides, saffron and tree bark are also important materials, keeping the insects away.

Why "splashing" it on the wall?

Compared with the normal way--brushing, splashing works better as the paint becomes thicker and thicker year after year, forming a natural defence for the wall. Tibetans think if they brush it continually, the wall will only get thinner and thinner.

However, travelers who go to the Potala Palace, please do not try to lick the wall just because there is honey in the paint.