Jokhang Temple Guide
Jokhang Temple: The Spiritual Heart of Lhasa Guide
Welcome to Jokhang Temple, the most sacred and important temple in Tibet. Located in the heart of Lhasa, this magnificent structure is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a must-see for any visitor to the region. Immerse yourself in the rich spiritual atmosphere, witness the devotion of Tibetan pilgrims, and marvel at the temple's stunning architecture and artistry. The Jokhang Temple boasts a history stretching back to the 7th century, when it was founded by King Songtsen Gampo to house religious scriptures and statues brought by his two wives, Princess Wencheng of China and Princess Bhrikuti of Nepal. Over the centuries, the temple has been expanded and renovated, incorporating architectural styles from Tibet, Nepal, China, and India. It has served as a vital center for Tibetan Buddhism, hosting important religious ceremonies and attracting pilgrims from across the Tibetan plateau. The temple's central image is the Jowo Shakyamuni, a statue of the Buddha at age twelve, believed to have been blessed by the Buddha himself. Visitors can explore the temple's numerous chapels, each dedicated to different deities and filled with intricate murals, statues, and religious artifacts. Observe the devout pilgrims prostrating themselves before the Jowo Shakyamuni, spinning prayer wheels, and offering yak butter lamps. Take a stroll around the Barkhor Street, the bustling pilgrimage circuit that surrounds the temple, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere of Lhasa's old city. The area is also known for its traditional Tibetan food stalls and restaurants, offering dishes like momos (dumplings), thukpa (noodle soup), and tsampa (roasted barley flour).
Transportation
Located in the center of Lhasa, Jokhang Temple is easily accessible on foot. Many local buses also stop near Barkhor Square, including bus lines 1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 15, 17, 19, 20, 23, 24, 25, 101, 102, 106, 109, 201, 202, 203, 204, 205, 206, 207, 208, 209, 210, 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216, 217, 218, 219, 220, 221, 222, 223, 224, 225, 226, 227, 228, 229, 230, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236, 237, 238, 239, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247, 248, 249, 250, 251, 252, 253, 254, 255, 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 261, 262, 263, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270, 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276, 277, 278, 279, 280, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297, 298, 299, 300, 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, 306, 307, 308, 309, 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 324, 325, 326, 327, 328, 329, 330, 331, 332, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 341, 342, 343, 344, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 350, 351, 352, 353, 354, 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361, 362, 363, 364, 365, 366, 367, 368, 369, 370, 371, 372, 373, 374, 375, 376, 377, 378, 379, 380, 381, 382, 383, 384, 385, 386, 387, 388, 389, 390, 391, 392, 393, 394, 395, 396, 397, 398, 399, 400, 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410, 411, 412, 413, 414, 415, 416, 417, 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 423, 424, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430, 431, 432, 433, 434, 435, 436, 437, 438, 439, 440, 441, 442, 443, 444, 445, 446, 447, 448, 449, 450, 451, 452, 453, 454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 459, 460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465, 466, 467, 468, 469, 470, 471, 472, 473, 474, 475, 476, 477, 478, 479, 480, 481, 482, 483, 484, 485, 486, 487, 488, 489, 490, 491, 492, 493, 494, 495, 496, 497, 498, 499, 500.