Barkhor Street, also known as “Bajiao Street,” is a must-visit landmark for anyone traveling to Lhasa. The street encircles the iconic Jokhang Temple, a 1,300-year-old structure that holds supreme importance in Tibetan Buddhism.
In front of Jokhang Temple, crowds of devoted pilgrims prostrate and pray, often filling the square so densely that there’s hardly space to walk. This sacred area is not only a religious hub but also a vibrant center for exploring Tibetan culture and pilgrimage life.
Barkhor Street, also known as “Bajiao Street,” is a must-visit landmark for anyone traveling to Lhasa. The street encircles the iconic Jokhang Temple, a 1,300-year-old structure that holds supreme importance in Tibetan Buddhism.
In front of Jokhang Temple, crowds of devoted pilgrims prostrate and pray, often filling the square so densely that there’s hardly space to walk. This sacred area is not only a religious hub but also a vibrant center for exploring Tibetan culture and pilgrimage life.
Look at the sacred Jokhang Temple—its golden prayer wheels on the rooftop gleam brilliantly under the Tibetan sun. Along the bustling Barkhor Street, crowds of Buddhist devotees gather: some chant mantras, some press their palms together in prayer, others spin handheld prayer wheels, and many perform full-body prostrations on the heated ground.
Pilgrims walk the kora (circumambulation) route around Jokhang Temple, which forms the path of Barkhor Street. In Lhasa, there are three major pilgrimage circuits encircling the Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, and Barkhor Street is the most iconic among them—a living expression of Tibetan Buddhist devotion and spiritual culture.
As you walk along Barkhor Street, you’ll be surrounded by traditional Tibetan architecture—white walls and red roofs are the signature style here. If you’re feeling tired, step into a cozy teahouse, where friendly locals will serve you a warm cup of smooth Tibetan sweet tea.
Sitting on a long wooden bench, listening to Tibetans share stories from their lives, you’ll feel as though time itself slows down, offering a genuine glimpse into the rhythms of daily life in old Lhasa.
Take a short rest, then walk on with the stream of pilgrims. After a full circle, you return to where you began—as if nothing ever happened. (A spiritual journey, like life, comes full circle—only to meet yourself again.)
