Barkhor Street

八廓街

A sacred pilgrimage circuit around Jokhang Temple filled with prayer wheels, monks, and devoted Buddhists performing kora circumambulation. The street is lined with shops, monasteries, and authentic Tibetan culture that has remained largely unchanged for centuries.

Things to do

• Perform Kora Circumambulation — Join pilgrims walking clockwise around Jokhang Temple, the most sacred circuit in Tibetan Buddhism, observing monks and devotees in prayer.
• Spin Prayer Wheels — Turn the brass and copper prayer wheels embedded along the street, each rotation considered equivalent to reciting the prayers written inside.
• Visit Jokhang Temple — Enter Tibet's most sacred temple at the heart of Barkhor Street to see the golden Buddha statue and experience the intense spiritual atmosphere.
• Browse Tibetan Handicraft Shops — Explore stalls and shops selling traditional thangka paintings, coral jewelry, turquoise ornaments, and hand-woven textiles unique to Tibetan artisans.
• Observe Butter Lamp Offerings — Watch devotees light thousands of yak butter lamps as religious offerings, creating an ethereal golden glow inside monastery alcoves.
• Attend Monk Debates — If timing permits, witness the afternoon philosophical debates held at nearby Sera Monastery where monks engage in rigorous theological discussions.
• Shop at Barkhor Market Stalls — Haggle for souvenirs, prayer beads, incense, and religious texts at the informal market stands lining the circuit's outer edges.

Food to try

• Momo (Tibetan Dumplings) — Steamed or fried dumplings filled with yak meat, potato, or cheese, served at street stalls and small restaurants throughout Barkhor Street.
• Tsampa — Roasted barley flour mixed with yak butter tea, a staple energy food for pilgrims completing the kora circuit.
• Thukpa (Tibetan Noodle Soup) — Hearty hand-pulled noodle soup with vegetables and yak meat, perfect for warming up while walking the pilgrimage route.
• Yak Cheese and Butter — Fresh local dairy products sold by vendors, showcasing the traditional highland pastoralism that sustains Tibetan communities.
• Lhasa Beer and Local Barley Beer — Sample Tibetan-brewed beverages at small restaurants, with barley beer being the traditional choice among locals.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect the Clockwise Direction — Always walk counterclockwise around the circuit—moving in the opposite direction is considered deeply disrespectful to pilgrims and Buddhist practice.
• Photography Etiquette — Ask permission before photographing monks, pilgrims, or religious ceremonies, as many consider image-taking spiritually invasive during devotional moments.
• Dress Modestly and Appropriately — Wear respectful clothing covering shoulders and knees; remove hats when entering temples or monasteries as a sign of reverence.
• Join the Pilgrimage Pace — Move slowly and mindfully with other pilgrims rather than rushing; the kora is a meditative practice, not a tourist speedwalk.