Potala Palace, situated on the Hongshan Hill in Lhasa, means "the Sacred Palace of Buddhism" in Sanskrit. It was built in the 7th century by king Songtsan Gambo for his bride, the princess Wen Cheng of Han nationality, and was enlarged and renovated by the successive Dalais. The 13-story palace, 117 meters high, 360 meters east west, with an area of 130,000 square meters was constructed completely by stone and wood.  It includes temple, seminary, chanting hall, dormitory, mouming hall and yard. The eight-mouming halls house the stupas of several Dalai Lamas, which are covered with gold leaf and studded with jewels. Enormous precious historical relics and frescos on various themes are kept in the building. Potala Palace was the winter residence of Dalai Lamas. The imposing grand building was constructed on the slope of the hill, which demonstrates a combined style of Tibetan and Han architecture.