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Old Town & Historic District

Barkhor Street

📍 Barkhor Street, Chengguan, Lhasa, Tibet, China
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★★★★★

Quick Facts

Location
China, Lhasa
Category
Old Town & Historic District
Duration
About 1–2 hours
Address
Barkhor Street, Chengguan, Lhasa, Tibet, China
Coordinates
29.6530, 91.1323

Introduction

Barkhor Street, encircling the Jokhang Temple in Chengguan, Lhasa, Tibet, is the city's oldest quarter and a sacred Buddhist kora (pilgrim circuit). Since the 7th-century founding of the Jokhang, devotees have walked it clockwise for over a millennium, blending pilgrimage, commerce and daily life. With its flagstone lanes, Tibetan courtyard houses (such as the famed yellow 'Makye Ame' house) and shops of thangka, prayer beads, jewelry and woolen cloth, the Barkhor is both the most vivid window into Tibetan culture and the best place to feel the plateau's slow rhythms and human warmth. At dusk, butter lamps and shop lights mingle into a quiet glow.

✨ Highlights

1
Kora path
Clockwise circuit, centuries of devotion.
2
Jokhang Temple
Sacred heart of the street, gilded roofs.
3
Makye Ame
Yellow-house teahouse, literary icon.
4
Tibetan shops
Thangka, beads, jewelry abound.
5
Flagstone lane
Stone worn smooth by footsteps.
6
Lamp-lit night
Butter-lamp glow, quiet charm.

🛈 Practical Info

→Location：Chengguan, Lhasa, Tibet, China
→Suggested visit：1–2 hours
→Best season：May–Oct mild
→Transport：Walk/taxi to Jokhang
→Opening Hours：Street open all day; shops ~10:00–21:00; pilgrimage & kora anytime
→Transportation：Around Jokhang Temple, old Lhasa; walk or taxi to Jokhang

Ticket Information

Ticket Information
AdultFree

Free (public street); Jokhang Temple ticket separate

💡 Tips

• Respect the kora — walk clockwise.
• Don't photograph devotees without care.
• Strong UV at altitude; use sunscreen.
• Bargain in shops; verify thangka quality.
• Mind belongings in crowds.
• Dusk lamps make the best slow stroll.

FAQ

What are the opening hours of Barkhor Street?

Street open all day; shops ~10:00–21:00; pilgrimage & kora anytime

How much is the admission for Barkhor Street?

Adult: Free; Free (public street); Jokhang Temple ticket separate

Any practical tips for visiting Barkhor Street?

Respect the kora — walk clockwise. Don't photograph devotees without care.

How long should I spend at Barkhor Street?

A typical visit takes About 1–2 hours.

Information here is compiled from public travel resources. Hours, fees, access and weather change; verify with the attraction's official notices and local tourism authorities before travel.