Why Is Barkhor Street a Must-See Tourist Attraction for Any Tibet Trip

Barkhor Street is a circular street formed around the Jokhang Temple. Over the past 1,300 years, people have gradually carved out a path around the Jokhang Temple in a clockwise direction. Due to its long history, Barkhor Street, an ancient district, is filled with a rich cultural atmosphere. Moreover, cultures of various ethnic groups exchange and integrate here, and the surrounding area gradually forms a multi-functional zone integrating culture, trade, residence, religion, festivals and other functions.

Barkhor Street's Pilgrimage Path Is Bustling from Morning till Night

The pilgrimage route on Barkhor Street is one of the three major circumambulation routes in Lhasa. As this pilgrimage path revolves around the religious center, the Jokhang Temple, in a clockwise direction, many believers who come to worship the Jokhang Temple also pray devoutly along this route. This circumambulation path is approximately over a thousand meters long. As it is located right in the Lhasa city center, many nearby residents come here early every day to start the circumambulation, namely kora, and many tourists also join in the procession. Therefore, a great deal of faith power has gathered here. Additionally, as Barkhor Street itself has gradually evolved into a commercial street, all kinds of grocery stores are gathered here. As a tourist, it is very easy to buy a prayer wheel and participate in the kora.

Barkhor Street Is a Microcosm of Tibetan Culture

Most of the believers and vendors coming and going here are local people. They wear traditional ethnic costumes and speak the authentic local dialect. Their enthusiasm, simplicity and perseverance all enable you to capture this humanistic brilliance of Tibet. When you see Tibetan people prostrating themselves along the street in all weathers, and kneeling to pay homage to the Buddha, and when you see the Jokhang Temple bustling with incense smoke in all day, you will surely be touched by this kind of faith. Stepping into the sweet tea house, you can feel the afternoon social culture of the local people. Surrounded by ancient and elegant buildings, you can feel the traces of history. The Tang-Tubo Alliance Monument in front of the Jokhang Temple lets you know that the history of unity between the Han people and Tibetan people is long and profound all the time.

arkhor Street Is One of the Best Places to Buy Souvenirs in Tibet

The greatest advantage of Barkhor Street as a shopping destination is that it has a large number of stores with a complete range of products, including traditional Tibetan handicrafts, modern cultural and creative small items, and characteristic clothing, so it is very convenient for tourists to make creative choices and compare prices from multiple sources. I strongly recommend purchasing items such as Tibetan shawls, wool felt doll, Tibetan blankets, hats, hand-woven bags, etc., which are convenient to take abroad.

Barkhor Street Gathers a Variety of Favors of Food

If you want to enjoy authentic Tibetan traditional cuisine, this street is the top choice. It is filled with time-honored restaurants that have a good reputation and remain popular among so many competitors. Here you can find the international cuisine of Nepal, India and other countries that you want to eat. Besides, there are also Western-style fast food restaurants for you to choose from.

Barkhor Street Becomes Even More Lively during Traditional Festivals

During the Tibetan New Year, Barkhor Street holds an exorcism ceremony, symbolizing the removal of bad luck. The Barkhor Street is illuminated by countless butter lamps, and believers who come to turn Tibetan prayer wheels are in a continuous stream. During the Tibetan Fairy Festival, believers form a long and winding queue on Barkhor Street, waiting to pay homage to the statue of the Palden lhamo enshrined in the Jokhang Temple. On kora path of Barkhor Street, male believers hold prayer wheels and recite scriptures silently, while women gather in groups, asking men for "auspicious money".

Barkhor Street is Equally Bustling at Night

When night falls, the Neon Lights on Barkhor Street Flicker. Many of the shops here stay open until 10 p.m., providing you with a great place to have a late-night snack and wander around in the evening. Occasionally, there are night tour performances here at night.

Conclusion

Overall, Barkhor Street is a highly appealing scenic spot. Whether it is in terms of transportation distance, humanistic sentiment, or whether it is a place suitable for people of all ages, it meets all these criteria.