Dalai Lama's former summer palace, constructed in the 18th century, Norbulingka is located in Lhasa City, at the bank of the Lhasa River about two kilometers west of the Potala Palace. The park was established by the 7th Dalai Lama in 1755. More than just a simple summer retreat, this is the headquarters from which the Dalai Lamas ruled Tibet during the summer months. As successive Dalai Lamas all used the Summer Palace for this purpose, the procession from the Potala to Norbulingka became a grand affair and a festive occasion of the Lhasa calendar. The garden covers an area of 46 acres, with 370 rooms of different sizes. In the garden people worship Buddha, spend their holiday, and study the Tibetan-style palaces.