Jokhang Temple is considered the most sacred in Tibet, located at the center of Lhasa neighboring the old districts. It is 1,000 meters east of the Potala Palace. It was built by King Songtsen Gampo in 647 AD, and was found by Queen Bhrikuti on a site deemed by Queen Wen-Chen to be the principal Feng-Shui power-place in Tibet.
Brief
Jokhang Temple is currently a Gelug pa monastery, but it accepts worshipers from all sects of Buddhism. Its architectural style is a mixture of Indian Vihara, Tibetan and Nepalese designs.
Jokhang & Cora pilgrimage
The name of “Jokhang” is translated as the ‘House of the Buddha’ in Tibetan. The temple is surrounded by Barkhor street, which is also the market square of Lhasa, and the street itself is a pilgrimage Cora of Jokhang .
It usually takes about 15 minutes for one Cora walk. This Barkhor pilgrimage walkway is marked by four incense burners, two of which are in front of the temple and two in the rear.
Around the 14th century, the temple was associated with the Vajrasana in India. After the Gorkha-Tibetan war in 1792 AD, the Qian-long Emperor of the Qing dynasty ordered to forbid the visit from Nepalese that make it becoming an exclusive place for Tibetan to worship. It was attacked by the “Red Guards” during 10 Years Cultural Revolution in the 20’s century, which resulted no worship for a decade.
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Renovation of Jokhang temple took place from 1972 to 1980. In 2000, the Jokhang became a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an extension of the Potala Palace (a World Heritage Site since 1994). Many Nepalese artists have worked on the temple’s design and construction.
Jokhang Temple Data
Address & Contact
Add: The old City, Cheng Guan District
Contact: +86 891 632-3129
Entrance fee
High season: RMB 85 per person
Low season: RMB 35 per person
Permission for photography in Main hall, RMB 90
Some halls are forbidden to take photos
High Travel season: from April 21st to October 19th
Low Travel season: from October 20th to the next April 20th
Altitude
3,650 meters above sea level
Opening hour
07:00 am – 17:30 pm
In the morning from 07:00 am to 11:30 am open for pilgrims or tour group below 10 people
From 11:30 am to 17:30 pm open for all tour group
How to get to there
Jokhang temple is located in the “old Part” of Lhasa, it is recommended to use public transportation to reach this site
By bus
- by line 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 17, 18, 19, get off at bus stop “Shi-Fu-You-Bao-Jian-Yuan-Stop”
- by line 23, 25, 28, 29, get off at bus stop “Cuo-Mei-Lin Stop”
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