Barkhor Street


Located in the old area of Lhasa City, Tibet, Barkhor Street is a very ancient round street surrounding the Jokhang
Temple and the Tibetan people are always proud of it. As a symbol of Lhasa, this street is also a must-see place
for the tourists.

It's said that in 647, the first Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo (617 - 650) built the Jokhang Temple. Due to its
magnificence, it quickly attracted thousands of Buddhist pilgrims. As a result, a trodden path appeared. That is
the origin of Barkhor Street.

The stalls and shops around Barkhor sell a variety of goods such as prayer flags, temple bowls, bells, Buddhist
statues, leather goods, clothing, incense and Tibetan rugs. Traditional Lhasa life is very much in evidence on the
streets of Barkhor.

In addition to being a bustling market frequented by locals and tourists, the streets of Barkhor are also on the
road to the Jokhang and the final part of many Tibetan Buddhists pilgrimages. Pilgrims with prayer wheels walk
clockwise around the streets chanting prayers as they approach the end of their journey and the spiritual center of Lhasa. More devoted pilgrims
prostrate themselves and drag themselves around the circuit.

For tourists, Barkhor Street is a magical place showing the original outlook of Lhasa. The street was
paved by hand-polished stone boards. Though it is not broad, it accommodates thousands of tourists
every day. Varied shops stand on both sides of the street and thousands of floating stands are on
every corner. Most of them offer the prayer wheels, long-sleeve 'chuba' (the Tibetan people's traditional
clothes), Tibetan knives and some religious articles for sale. Furthermore, some shops sell 'Thangka'
(the Tibetan scroll painting), which is a unique art of Tibet with the themes of religion, history, literature,
science and customs. Surprisingly, there are some articles from India and Nepal in this street as well.

Famous in Lhasa, and throughout the entire Tibetan Autonomous Region, Barkhor Street is d trading
as well as religious center The goods for sale here exemplify local Tibetan culture and artefacts. From
morning to evening, streams of people throng the streets, to purchase whatever they need.