Jokhang Temple

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Overview

Jokhang Temple is considered the most sacred in Tibet, located at the center of Lhasa neighboring the old districts. It is 1,000 meters east of the Potala Palace. It was built by King Songtsen Gampo in 647 A.D., and was found by Queen Bhrikuti on a site deemed by Queen Wencheng to be the principal Feng-Shui power-place in Tibet.

Brief

It is surrounded by Barkhor street, which is the market square in central Lhasa, and has a walkway for pilgrims to make a pilgrimage Cora around Jokhang temple. It usually takes about 15 minutes for one Cora walk. This Barkhor pilgrimage walkway is marked by four incense burners, two of which are in front of the temple and two in the rear.

Jokhang Temple is currently a Gelug pa monastery, but it accepts worshipers from all sects of Buddhism. Its architectural style is a mixture of Indian vihara design, Tibetan and Nepalese design. The name of “Jokhang” is translated as the ‘House of the Buddha’ in Tibetan.

Around the 14^th century, the temple was associated with the Vajrasana in India. In the 18^th century the Qian-long Emperor of the Qing dynasty, following the Gorkha-Tibetan war in 1792 AD, forbid the visits from Nepalese and it became an exclusive place of worship for the Tibetans only. During the Cultural Revolution, Red Guards attacked the Jokhang temple in 1966 and for a decade there was no worship. Renovation of the Jokhang took place from 1972 to 1980. In 2000, the Jokhang became a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an extension of the Potala Palace (a World Heritage Site since 1994). Many Nepalese artists have worked on the temple’s design and construction.

Jokhang Temple Data

Entrance Fee

High season: RMB 85.00 per person
Low season: RMB 35.00 per person
Permission for photography in Main hall, RMB 90.00

Season defination

High Season: from April 21^st to October 19^th
Low Season: from October 20^th to the next April 20^th

Tips on visit

Some halls of Jokhang temple are forbidden to take photos
Suggesting to consult your guide to make sure if it would be permitted to take photo inside

How to Get There

Jokhang temple is located in the old City of Lhasa, it is recommended to use public transportation to reach this site

By Bus
Take Bus No. 9, No. 10, No. 11, No. 12, No. 15, No. 17, No. 18, No. 19, get off at bus stop “Shi-Fu-You-Bao-Jian-Yuan-Stop | 市妇幼保健院站”

By Bus
Take Bus No. 23, No. 25, No. 28, No. 29, get off at bus stop “Cuo-Mei-Lin Stop | 措美林站”