Potala Palace Rises Above Lhasa
Lhasa, Tibet, June 2001

The ancient Potala Palace is perhaps the most easily recognizable symbol of Tibet.  Late in the afternoon, we climbed a small hill opposite the palace to watch the last rays of the setting sun.  The hill was officially a Chinese military area, but as we sat watching the sun fall, the only people around were a group of Chinese artists living in a dilapidated house on the hillside.