Barkhor | 八廓街

Barkhor street | 八廓街 is of the most well-known Tibet Attractions that the streets many Tibetans wander around. It follows the Barkhor pilgrims’ route that encircles the Jokhang temple.

The walk was about one kilometer long and encircled the entire Jokhang temple, the former seat of the State Oracle in Lhasa called the Muru Nyingba Monastery, and a number of nobles’ houses including Tromzikhang and Jamkhang. There were four large incense burners which also called “Sang-kang” being built in the four cardinal directions, with incense burning constantly, in order to please the Buddhas for protecting the Jokhang temple.

It’s said that in 647 BC, the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo built the Jokhang Temple. Then after it gradually became an attraction to Tibetan pilgrims that resulted a trodden path formed up.

Nowadays, this street has built its multi-functions for pilgrimage and modern business; When you walk along the street, you will witness the different business are operated in this streets, such as, fabric dealing, butter selling, food, drinks, almost on all aspect needs of local people that you can find here in this streets; also, you will be able to witness the devoted pilgrims processing the holy ritual of Kowtow

Barkhor-street

Barkhor-street-main

buy-butter

teapot

Barkhor Location

How to get there

By bus line: 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 17, 18, 19, get off at bus stop “Shi-Fu-You-Bao-Jian-zhan-stop”
By bus line: 23, 25, 28, 29, get off at bus stop “Cuo-Mei-Lin-stop”

Touring suggestion

• Take “clockwise ” direction, when you look at the front gate of Jokhang temple, take the left entrance of the street as start
• Follow the main street, the countless small alleys that connect to Barkhor street leads to the old Tibetan neighborhood area, which a maze like, you may easily get lost if you are not accompany by one local guide
• The same item could be found in different shop, you may want to walk through several shops to make the best deal

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