
Barkhor Street/Kora in Lhasa, Tibet
Lying in the Lhasa Old Town, Barkhor Street or Bakuo Street, reputed as the “heart of Lhasa”, is the most famous pilgrimage circuit and bustling bazaar in Lhasa.
Originally, Barkhor Street was just the single circumanbulation around Jokhang Monastery and called as “Holy Road” by local Tibetans. But now, it has gradually expended into the large old-fashioned neighborhoods around the Jokhang Temple, consisting of Barkhor East Street, Barkhor West Street, Barkhor South Street and Barkhor North Street. With the circumference of about 1000 meters, this ring road has 35 backstreets and alleys, preserving the traditional appearance and living style of the ancient Lhasa city. Around here, you step into a time warp, catching glimpses of what life must have been like centuries or even a millennium ago.
Whenever you come, you can also encounter the devout pilgrims walking clockwise around Barkhor Kora with pray wheel spinning in hand or prostrating themselves with Buddhist mantras murmuring. Roaming around the street, you must be fascinated by the various kinds of traditional Tibetan costumes and exotic handicrafts from Nepal, India, Bhutan and surrounding countries. Besides, you can find the best Lhasa restaurants and mouthwatering food hidden in Barkhor circumanbulation, such as Makye Ame, Guangming Sweet Teahouse, and so on. By the way, apart from the prestigious Jokhang Temple, there are lots of off-the-beaten-track attractions along the Barkhor circuit, like Qing Government in Tibet Grand Minister Administrative City Former Site, Gendun Choephel Memorial Hall, etc.
To put it simply, Barkhor Street is a lively combination of local neighborhood, pilgrim circuit, marketplace, restaurants and historical sites. Please follow our in-depth guide below and make the most of Barkhor Street tour.
Basic Facts:
Chinese name: 八廓街 Bākuò Jiē or 八角街 Bājiǎo Jiē
Location: Chengguan District, Lhasa, Tibet, China; or an area of a public square and 35 backstreets around Jokhang Temple
Altitude: 3,650 m (11,975 ft)
Founder: Songtsen Gampo (from 639 to 647 AD)
Type: the holiest pilgrimage circuit and oldest street in Lhasa; the most famous bazaar and souvenir paradise in Tibet
Opening Hours & Ticket: All the day; Free Entrance
How to Get There: Bus - No. 6, 9, 25. Get off at Health Care Center Station. or by Taxi
Barkhor Street Photo Gallery
All Articles about Barkhor Street
To make sure you can enjoy the best Barkhor Street travel experience available, we kindly prepare the latest and most easy-to-use Barkhor Street travel and tour guides below for you. From Barkhor Kora and pilgrimage circuit to Barkhor Street Market and Bazaar, etc., you can follow the insider’s tips and won’t miss a tour highlight when visiting the most vibrant street in Lhasa.

Lhasa, as the capital city of Tibet, undoubtedly, would boast many ancient and notable attractions. But one of the best ways to explore this ancient city is to join in one of its oldest and most venerated rituals - Barkhor Kora, a devotional pilgrim circuit around the exterior of the old Jokhang Temple. For the first-timers to travel Tibet, you may be drawn by the scene of dozens of people walking around the temples along the Barkhor Street in a clockwise ......
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Barkhor Bazaar is one of the most famous of all places to go shopping in Lhasa. This circuitous street, that encompasses the world famous Jokhang Temple, is the best place to go to get authentic, local-made souvenirs from Tibet. One of the oldest streets in Lhasa, Barkhor Street was developed along with the Jokhang Temple in the early part of the seventh century. Originally just a path around the temple, trodden by the weary feet of the thousands of ......
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Surrounding the holy Jokhang Temple, Barkhor Street is a must-visit attraction in the heart of Lhasa City. Known for its holy pilgrim circuit, bustling bazaar, and exotic local life, Barkhor Street offers you a heady mix of Tibetan spiritual experiences and unique Lhasa vibes waiting to be explored. Whether you are a first-timer to Tibet or a returning traveler, Barkhor Street Market will be a magnet, alluring you to come back time after time for new discoveries. ......
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Flying across the globe to experience the spiritual heart of Tibet, Lhasa, is a truly enriching journey for the soul and a taste of home can easily fuel your trip. The warm hospitality of Tibetans get you covered. Lhasa offers a surprising variety of Western dining options. From fast food like hamburgers and pizza to gourmet dishes in five-star hotels, the choices in Lhasa are as abundant as yaks on the plateau. Additionally, Nepali-style food ......
View MoreRecommended Tour Itineraries Including Barkhor Street
After touring Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple, you can spend the whole afternoon walking the Barkhor pilgrimage circuit with the devout pilgrims or bargaining with the local vendors for the fabulous souvenirs in the Barkhor Bazaar. Check the top 4 highly recommended Tibet tours with short visit to Barkhor Street.
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