The Potola Palace was the former main residence of the spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama. Traditionally, the Dalai Lama was also the governing leader of the nation of Tibet, until its occupation by China in the mid-20th century. Perched on top of Red Hill and rising to about 300 meters above the Tibetan capital city of Lhasa, the present structure of the Potala Palace dates mostly from the 17th century (although two rooms survive from the 7th century). It is comprised of two main parts, named for the color of their exterior walls: the White Palace, built between about 1645 and 1682 C.E., during the reign of the 5th Dalai Lama (and extended to its current form in the early 20th century); and the inner Red Palace, built after the death of the 5th Dalai Lama between 1682 and 1693. The two palaces are integrated but were designed for separate functions: the White Palace contains a seminary, a printing workshop, and living quarters, while the Red Palace contains shrines, stupas (reliquary monuments), an assembly hall for the monks, and the tombs of eight former Dalai Lamas. The whole complex is 13 stories high, about 400 meters across and 350 meters deep, and contains about 1000 rooms. The roof is of gilt copper. The 14th Dalai Lama has been living in exile since 1959 C.E., when he fled the Chinese Communist regime of Tibet. The Potala Palace now houses a museum.