Tibet is one of the most remote and thus poorest provinces in today's China, yet its history is emblazoned in its thousand-room Potala Palace, former residence of the Dalai Lamas, Tibet's religious and secular rulers since 1645. With the present Dalai Lama living in exile in India, the Palace has become a vast museum, featuring dozens of chapels, gold and jewel encrusted tombs of deceased Dalai Lamas, and a mandala made of 20,000 pearls. Photos of the interior are forbidden, so photographers must settle for external details, such as this golden tower, which rises into the deep blue skies so common at 12,000 feet above sea level. I use color and detail here to symbolize both the historical and monetary value of this incredible building. I build my image around the diagonal thrusts and rhythms of the double roof, leading to the gilded, ornately decorated tower, topped with the lotus, symbol of the Buddhist faith.