Potala Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Tibet, requires considerable physical effort to navigate due to its high altitude (over 3,700m) and numerous stairs, making it challenging for those with mobility issues and necessitating acclimatization to prevent altitude sickness. Foreign visitors are typically required to visit as part of an organized tour with a licensed guide and a Tibet Travel Permit, making solo exploration impractical. The palace is open year-round, but high season (May-Oct) sees more crowds and an entrance fee of around 200 CNY, while low season (Nov-Apr) is colder but less crowded with fees around 100 CNY; tickets must be booked well in advance due to daily visitor limits. While the overall experience might last 2-3 hours including the ascent, time spent inside the main palace halls is often restricted to one hour; photography is generally prohibited inside.