Jokhang Temple and Barkhor Street

The Jokhang was founded in the seventh century to house a statue of Sakyamuni as a young man, brought to Tibet by a Tang princess, and that image, the Jowo Rinpoche, is the most venerated object in Tibetan Buddhism, which makes this the destination of pilgrimage rather than one temple among many. The building mixes Tibetan, Nepali and Tang elements around a central hall, with a golden roof and prostrating pilgrims at the door from before dawn. Barkhor, the street circling it, is the intermediate pilgrim circuit, walked clockwise in a constant stream past stalls, prayer wheels and incense burners.

What you actually see

• The Jowo Rinpoche - the seventh-century image at the heart of the temple.
• The prostrating pilgrims - full-length prostrations at the temple door.
• The Barkhor circuit - the clockwise street walked continuously all day.
• The golden roof - views over the old town from the temple terrace.

When to go

April to October for the mildest weather; pilgrim numbers peak around Tibetan festivals and in winter when farm work stops. Early morning has the strongest atmosphere and the fewest tour groups.

Honest expectations

Foreign visitors need a Tibet travel permit arranged in advance through a tour agency, plus a guide. Lhasa sits at 3,650 metres and altitude affects most arrivals. Photography inside chapels is restricted.

Nearby

The Potala lies northwest; Sera Monastery is north of the city.