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Barkhor Street: The Sacred Heart of Lhasa
Barkhor Street (sometimes spelled Bakhor Street) stands as Lhasa’s spiritual and cultural center, where centuries of Tibetan history, faith, and commerce converge in a vibrant tapestry of everyday life. Located in the heart of Lhasa’s Old Town and encircling the revered Jokhang Temple, this ancient circular path is known as the “heart of Lhasa” and serves as both Tibet’s most famous pilgrimage circuit and its most bustling bazaar.
As you step onto these time-worn stones, you’ll immerse yourself in a living tradition that has continued unbroken for over 1,300 years. The street forms a circular route approximately one kilometer long, where devoted pilgrims walk clockwise, and merchants offer treasures from across the Himalayan region.
Whether you come to witness the devotion of prostrating pilgrims, explore the countless shops selling traditional handicrafts, sample authentic Tibetan cuisine, or simply absorb the unique atmosphere of this ancient place, Barkhor Street offers a genuine glimpse into Tibet’s rich cultural heritage.
Join us as we guide you through this remarkable destination, where every stone tells a story and every corner reveals another facet of Tibetan life.
DID YOU KNOW? The Sacred Practice of Prostrations
Prostration is one of the most devoted forms of Buddhist practice you’ll witness on Barkhor Street. Pilgrims take three steps forward, then kneel down and stretch their entire bodies flat on the ground, arms extended and foreheads touching the earth.
This physically demanding act symbolizes complete submission to the Buddha and purification of body, speech, and mind.
Some dedicated pilgrims travel hundreds of kilometers to Lhasa, performing prostrations the entire way, a journey that can take several months.
Many of the Tibetan pilgrims complete kora around Jokhang Temple by doing prostrations.
ABOUT BARKHOR STREET
Barkhor Street is the most famous walking street in Lhasa. It is in the heart of the Old Town – the oldest part of the capital. Barkhor Street is the kora, or pilgrimage circuit, route formed around the 7th-century Jokhang temple, therefore, you should walk it in a clockwise direction, similar to all Buddhist sites in Tibet.
The street is not very long, it only takes 20-30 minutes to walk. However, you will inevitably make many stops on the way to take photos, watch pilgrims who travel here from all around the country, visit some souvenir shops, and take a break in one of the tea houses or restaurants. If you have extra time, there are some small monasteries on the street that you can visit while walking the kora.
Barkhor Street dates back to the 7th century during King Songtsen Gampo’s reign. When the king built Jokhang Temple around 647 AD, he constructed four palaces around it to supervise progress, forming the earliest buildings of what would become Barkhor Street.
The name “Barkhor” comes from Tibetan words: “Bar” meaning “outside,” and “khor”, meaning “circuit” or “circumambulation,” reflecting its function as the middle of three sacred routes in Lhasa.
Sacred Connection to Jokhang Temple
At Barkhor’s heart stands Jokhang Temple, Tibet’s most sacred shrine. Built in 652 AD, it houses Tibet’s most precious treasure – the Jowo Rinpoche, a life-sized statue of 12-year-old Buddha Shakyamuni brought to Tibet by Princess Wencheng of China’s Tang Dynasty.
Religious Significance of Barkhor Street
For Tibetan Buddhists, walking the Barkhor circuit (kora) is a profound spiritual practice. Pilgrims travel great distances to circumambulate clockwise around Jokhang Temple, spinning prayer wheels and chanting mantras.
Some perform full-body prostrations, taking three steps, then lying flat on the ground before rising and repeating the process—some traveling this way for hundreds of kilometers over weeks to reach this sacred destination.
Evolution Through Centuries
As Jokhang Temple’s fame grew, Barkhor Street evolved from a simple path into a thriving community. By the 7th century, buildings had been constructed to house pilgrims and merchants traveling from distant regions.
Despite centuries of change, Barkhor Street preserves much of its original character, offering a glimpse into old Lhasa while continuing its dual role as both a sacred pilgrimage route and a bustling commercial center.
BARKHOR STREET WALKING TOUR
As you step onto these time-worn stones, you’ll immerse yourself in a living tradition that has continued unbroken for over 1,300 years. The street forms a circular route approximately one kilometer in length, where devoted pilgrims walk clockwise to worship Buddha Shakyamuni, and merchants offer treasures to satisfy every taste.
The Sacred Circuit
Barkhor Street forms the famous kora (pilgrimage route) around the 7th-century Jokhang Temple, and walking this path is best done in the traditional clockwise direction. The complete circuit only takes 20-30 minutes at a steady pace, but most visitors spend 1-2 hours with stops for photos, shopping, and refreshments.
Begin your walking tour at the front of Jokhang Temple, where you’ll see devoted pilgrims gathered in front of the Temple. After reaching the large incense burner on the northern side of the temple, you’ll encounter Mani Lhakhang chapel, recognizable by its large prayer wheel inside and row of smaller prayer wheels outside.
Key Landmarks to Discover
Near Mani Lhakhang chapel, notice the small building that once served as a prison and now operates as a museum. Just behind it stands the yellow Future Buddha temple with its meditation cave.
As you continue around the circuit, you’ll see colorful prayer flags adorning poles—follow the local pilgrims by walking to the left of these poles, keeping them inside your circuit. Along the way, you’ll discover several small monasteries worth visiting.
Beyond the main circuit, explore some of the 35 back streets and alleys that make up the greater Barkhor area. Off-the-beaten-track attractions include the Qing Government in Tibet Grand Minister Administrative City Former Site and Gendun Choephel Memorial Hall.
Taking Breaks and Side Explorations
When you need a rest, visit one of the restaurants on Barkhor Street’s upper floors, which offer excellent views of the street, the Jokhang Temple roof, and sometimes even the Potala Palace in the distance.
For a more immersive experience, venture down some of the side streets to see old buildings and observe local Tibetan daily life. These quieter areas provide a contrast to the bustling main circuit and offer unique photo opportunities.
SHOPPING ON BARKHOR STREET
Barkhor Street is Tibet’s premier shopping destination with over 120 shops and 200 stalls selling a wide variety of items. This vibrant street lined with marketplaces offers everything from famous Tibetan rugs and exquisite jewelry, and religious artifacts to practical goods, making it a popular place to find unique souvenirs.
What to Buy
Religious items are among the most popular purchases for visitors. Look for intricately designed prayer wheels, colorful prayer flags, thangka paintings (Tibetan Buddhist scroll paintings), and other devotional objects.
Traditional handicrafts abound, including Tibetan jewelry with turquoise and coral, hand-woven carpets, carved wooden items, and yak wool products. For practical souvenirs, consider traditional Tibetan knives, pottery, or clothing like the long-sleeve “Chuba” (traditional Tibetan garment).
Bargaining
Bargaining is expected in most shops and stalls on Barkhor Street. Prices for identical items can vary significantly between vendors, so it’s worth comparing before making a purchase.
Local merchants believe the first and last customers of the day bring good luck, so shopping early in the morning or late in the afternoon might earn you a better discount.
Shopping Places
The main Barkhor circuit has the highest concentration of shops, but don’t miss exploring the side streets and alleys, where you might find more specialized items at better prices. Many shops specialize in particular crafts, passed down through generations of artisan families. You can often find similar items priced much better on side streets or other marketplaces.
FOOD AND DINING
Barkhor Street offers numerous opportunities to sample traditional Tibetan food. Local specialties include yak meat dishes, typically prepared with thick flavors and hearty spices, Tibetan dumplings called momos, and noodle soups. Vegetable dishes provide lighter alternatives to the meat-heavy traditional fare. No visit is complete without trying butter tea, a savory drink made from tea leaves, yak butter, and salt. Barley wine and sweet tea are also popular traditional beverages that provide warmth in Tibet’s cool climate.
Famous Restaurants
Makye Ame Restaurant, located at the southeastern corner of Barkhor Street, is perhaps the most famous dining establishment in the area. This yellow-painted building has historical significance as the place where the 6th Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, wrote romantic poetry. Today, it offers traditional Tibetan cuisine while celebrating this poetic heritage.
You can also find a few traditional Tibetan Teahouses, which are great for those wanting to experience authentic Tibetan tea culture. Here, you can observe locals gathering for conversation while enjoying sweet tea and snacks.
For a memorable dining experience, choose one of the restaurants located on the upper floors of buildings along Barkhor Street. These establishments offer panoramic views of the bustling pilgrimage route below, the golden roofs of Jokhang Temple, and sometimes even the Potala Palace in the distance.
PLACES TO VISIT AROUND BARKHOR
JOKHANG TEMPLE
Jokhang Temple is one of the most important religious places in Lhasa and Tibet. Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo built this temple in the 7th century. The temple houses the precious statue of Jowo Shakyamuni. It represents historical Buddha at the age of 12. Along with it, you will visit various chapels with many Buddhist statues and religious objects. Many of the Tibet’s historical events as well as legends are related with Jokhang. It is a must see when you are visiting Tibet.
ANI TSAMKHONG NUNNERY
A short and pleasant walk to the South-East from Barkhor street following narrow streets will take you to the Ani Tsamkhong Nunnery. King Songtsen Gampo meditated in one of the caves that is now part of the complex. When you are visiting the nunnery, dont miss this small cave at the back of the nunnery. Nuns run a hospital adjacent to the site.
The best time to visit nunnery is early in the morning. You can often see nuns chanting in the Assembly hall.
LHASA CITY TOURS
4 DAYS LHASA TOUR
5 DAYS LHASA SIGHTSEEING
5 DAYS LHASA SURROUNDINGS
5 DAYS LHASA AND NATURAL WONDERS
6 DAYS TIBET HIGHLIGHTS
LHASA DAY TOURS
PLAN YOUR TIBETAN ADVENTURE
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