Barkhor Street, Lhasa
Synopsis
Overview
Barkhor Street, also known as the Octagonal Street, is a circular pilgrimage path and commercial center encircling the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, serving as the heart of the old city. It is not only one of the most sacred pilgrimage routes for Tibetan Buddhist devotees but also a thousand-year-old ancient street that integrates religion, culture, tourism, and commerce. For tourists...
Overview
Barkhor Street, also known as the Octagonal Street, is a circular pilgrimage path and commercial center encircling the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, and it forms the core of Lhasa's old town. It is not only one of the most sacred pilgrimage circuits for Tibetan Buddhist devotees but also a thousand-year-old street integrating religion, culture, tourism, and commerce. For visitors, it is an excellent window to feel the pulse of Lhasa, experience Tibetan customs, and touch its historical culture. The street is lined with dense Tibetan-style buildings, and shops brimming with thangka paintings, Tibetan incense, ritual objects, Tibetan ornaments, and other specialty goods. The air is filled with the scent of butter lamps and incense, while the murmurs of sutra chanting and the creaking of prayer wheels create a vivid and unique portrait of this sacred city on the snowy plateau.
History
The history of Barkhor Street is closely tied to the Jokhang Temple. In the 7th century AD, King Songtsen Gampo oversaw the construction of the Jokhang Temple and built four palaces around it to house monks and pilgrims, forming the rudimentary shape of Barkhor Street. As the temple's popularity grew, an increasing number of devotees came to worship, gradually treading out a circumambulation path around the temple. In Tibetan, this path is called "Barkhor," meaning the "middle circuit" (situated between the "Nangkhor" inside the Jokhang Temple and the "Lingkhor" encircling the old city of Lhasa). For millennia, countless believers have walked clockwise along this stone-paved path, spinning prayer wheels and reciting scriptures, imbuing the street with a profound religious soul. Simultaneously, it became a vital hub for commercial trade in Tibet, witnessing the social changes of Lhasa and Tibet as a whole.
Main Attractions
- Jokhang Temple: The center encircled by Barkhor Street, the supreme holy site of Tibetan Buddhism, enshrining the life-sized statue of the 12-year-old Shakyamuni Buddha brought by Princess Wencheng. The temple front is perpetually shrouded in incense smoke, and the sight of devout worshippers prostrating themselves is deeply moving.
- Makye Ame Restaurant: A yellow Tibetan-style building famous for its legendary association as the meeting place of the Sixth Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, and his lover. Today, it is a restaurant and bar with a strong artistic and literary atmosphere, a popular spot for visitors to rest and soak in the romantic legend.
- Former Site of the Qing Dynasty Amban's Office: Located on the north street of Barkhor, this is a well-preserved courtyard building from the Qing Dynasty. Its exhibits showcase the history of the Qing administration in Tibet, offering an important window into understanding the historical relationship between the central government and the Tibetan region.
- The Pilgrimage Circuit and Pilgrims: Barkhor Street itself is the most captivating scenery. Following the flow of pilgrims with their prayer wheels and murmured mantras to feel their deep-rooted devotion is the best way to experience the essence of Barkhor.
- Specialty Shops and Markets: The street is lined with shops where you can purchase authentic Tibetan handicrafts, Nepalese jewelry, Indian spices, and more. The Tromsikhang Market is a great place to experience local daily life and traditional trading practices.
Practical Information
The following information is general as of 2023. It is recommended to verify before your trip.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Admission | Entry to the Barkhor Street area is free. However, entry to its core attraction, the Jokhang Temple, requires a separate ticket. Jokhang Temple Ticket: 85 RMB/person (Peak season, May 1 - Oct 31); 35 RMB/person (Off-season, Nov 1 - Apr 30). Requires ID for reservation and purchase. |
| Opening Hours | Barkhor Street as a public street is open 24/7. However, it is usually cleared after 22:00, and tourist entry is prohibited. Jokhang Temple Hours: 09:00 - 18:00 (Peak season); 09:00 - 16:30 (Off-season). Visiting requires advance booking through official channels. |
| Suggested Visit Duration | 2-4 hours (longer if exploring the Jokhang Temple and surrounding alleys in depth). |
| Best Time to Visit | Early morning (to experience the pilgrimage atmosphere) or evening (soft light, good for photography). Avoid the strong midday UV rays. |
| Transportation | - Bus: Take a Lhasa city bus to the "Cuomeilin Station" or "Chongsaikang Station" and walk. - Taxi/Ride-hailing: Tell the driver to go to "Barkhor Street" or "Jokhang Temple." - Walking: About a 15-20 minute walk from the Potala Palace or Beijing Middle Road. |
| Important Notes | 1. Respect Customs: You must walk clockwise. Do not walk against the flow. 2. Security Check & ID: Entering Barkhor Street requires a security check. Always carry your ID card with you. 3. Photography Etiquette: Do not take frontal photos of pilgrims performing full-body prostrations or chanting sutras without permission. Confirm if photography is allowed inside temples before taking pictures. 4. High Altitude Precautions: Lhasa's altitude is about 3650 meters. Pay attention to sun protection, keep warm, avoid strenuous exercise, and prevent altitude sickness. |
References
- Tibet Autonomous Region Tourism Development Department - Jokhang Temple Scenic Area Introduction: http://lyfzt.xizang.gov.cn/jqjs_80025/202009/t20200927_173324.html
- China Tibet News - Walking into Barkhor Street: http://www.chinatibetnews.com/lyyou/2021-08/13/content_3107767.shtml
- Lhasa Municipal People's Government Website - Cultural Tourism Resources Introduction (for related management information): http://www.lasa.gov.cn/lasa/whly/
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