The Potala Palace Is Stunning. Its History Is More Complicated.

The Potala Palace is one of the world's most striking landmarks. But beyond its gilded roofs lies a more difficult story: Who built it? What kind of society did it represent? And how has life in Lhasa changed since then? This video looks at the palace's architecture, the social order of old Tibet, and the city around it today. You can admire a masterpiece and still ask who paid for it. What do you see when you look beyond the gold?