Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street
大昭寺与八廓街 · Chengguan District, Lhasa, Tibet, China
The Jokhang Temple enshrines the Shakyamuni statue brought by Princess Wencheng, the most revered image in the temple; Barkhor Street, which circles the temple, is both a kora route and the busiest street in Lhasa's old city.
Know before you go
- Do not walk counter-clockwise
- do not photograph worshippers or religious ceremonies casually
- do not make noise inside the halls
This article is Not yet verified. Please check official announcements for prices, opening hours and dates.
Stories & people
Stories & people
History
Two Princesses and Two Statues
Songtsen Gampo married Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal and then Princess Wencheng of the Tang dynasty, and each princess brought a Buddha statue with her. The Jokhang was first built to house the Akshobhya statue brought by Princess Bhrikuti. According to records, the Shakyamuni statue brought by Princess Wencheng was later moved from the Ramoche Temple to the Jokhang, and after several more moves it is now enshrined in the Jokhang.
Source: Wikipedia: Jokhang
History
A Street Walked into Being
After the Jokhang was built in the 7th century, devotees began walking around it in prayer. Day after day, the stream of pilgrims traced a loop around the temple, which gradually grew into today's Barkhor Street. Here you walk in the same direction the prayer wheels turn, moving clockwise.
Source: Wikipedia: Barkhor
Culture
Culture & customs
Background
The Jokhang Temple stands at the heart of Lhasa's old city, with Barkhor Street running all the way around it. The Jokhang was founded in about 640 by Songtsen Gampo, and its oldest part dates from 652; in 1610, the Fifth Dalai Lama oversaw the temple's last major renovation. The roof is covered with gilded bronze tiles, and the square has two incense burners in front of the temple and two behind it. In 2000, the Jokhang was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as an extension of the Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace. Barkhor Street dates from the 7th century and forms a loop of about 1,000 metres. Tibetan devotees call it the "holy road", and it is one of Lhasa's three kora routes, along with the Lingkhor and others. Today it keeps the character of the old city and is the busiest street and commercial centre of old Lhasa.
Local customs
- Join the devotees walking clockwise around the temple
- a full circuit on the path outside takes about 20 minutes. Stroll along Barkhor Street and watch pilgrims prostrating and turning prayer wheels, browse the old-city shops and handicraft stores, and try a cup of sweet tea and a bowl of Tibetan noodles. The Jokhang Temple and the Potala Palace can be visited together.
Etiquette & taboos
Etiquette & taboos
Don’t DON'T
- Do not walk counter-clockwise
- do not photograph worshippers or religious ceremonies casually
- do not make noise inside the halls
Locals appreciate DO
- Walk the kora clockwise
- keep quiet inside the temple and on the kora path
- follow the temple's guidance inside the halls
- show respect to monks and worshippers
Plan your visit
Practical info
Travel tips
- Lhasa sits at high altitude, so allow time to acclimatise and seek medical help promptly if you feel unwell
- check official notices for opening details inside the temple. The Jokhang and Barkhor Street are in the old city and easy to reach on foot
- check official information for city transport.
- You can visit in any season
- Lhasa has strong sunshine and a wide gap between day and night temperatures, so check the official weather forecast before you go.
Photos
Photos
Luca Galuzzi · CC BY-SA 2.5
Rene Heise · CC BY-SA 4.0
