The Dragon King Pool refers to the Zongjaolukang or the Temple of the Dragon King behind the Potala Palace. when the 5th Dalai Lama decided to rebuild the Potala Palace, stone and clay were collected and gradually a pool full of water was formed. During the time of the 6th Dalai Lama, the Temple of the Dragon King was built on a small island in the center of the pool and was intended to house the statue of the Dragon Maid Seqen in Maizhokunggar, hence the name the Dragon King Pool. In the following years, numerous trees were planted, and pavilions and bridges were built in the area. During the Dawa Festival that falls on the 15th day of the 4th month in the Tibetan calendar, the people of Lhasa sail boats in the pool or picnic on its banks. |