A former jail stands at the foot of the Potala Palace. Called the Zhol City Prison, it was one of two major prisons where the local government in Lhasa once kept prisoners. In 2007, following restoration, Zhol City Prison was opened to the public as a museum, introducing visitors to the harsh realities of life for serfs in old Xizang.

Xizang's feudal serfdom system, having become widely established in the 13th century, continued until the mid-20th century. It was finally abolished in 1959 when, with strong support from the central government, democratic reforms were carried out in Xizang. With the end of feudal serfdom in the region, a million serfs, or more than 90 percent of its population, were set free. Since 2009, March 28 has been marked as Serfs' Emancipation Day.