Jokhang Temple

Why Jokhang Temple is special
The Jokhang Temple is widely considered Tibet's most sacred site.

Top 2 Jokhang Temple attractions
Jowa Buddha statue
The golden Jowa Buddha statue is the most venerated religious object in the Jokhang Temple. It is a rare statue of Buddha when he was a 12 year old boy. This golden statuary was brought to Tibet by the 7th century Chinese Princess Wencheng as part of her dowry.

Dharma wheel
The second best known object in Jokhang Temple is the eight spoked Dharma wheel that conspicuously sits atop the complex's main entrance. Each spoke represents one of the eight fold paths to enlightenment, a core tenet of Buddhism.

Other must-sees

• Entrance area
  Just outside this Jokhang Temple's gate are supplicants prostrating themselves as they slowly make their way to the entryway.
• Chapels
  Jokhang Temple has many chapels, mystically lit with yak-butter lamps, and sometimes graced with mantra chanting lamas.
• More
  Other exciting facets of the Jokhang Temple include interesting roofs (see photo), courtyards, and ancient wall murals.

Jokhang Temple tips and insights
How to pronounce
Jokhang: joe-khah'ng

Pilgrimages
Pilgrims (some on foot) come from all corners of Tibet to worship here.

Ambiance
Though many tourists come inside, the temple sustains a deep, timeless religious ambiance.

Construction history
The Jokhang temple dates back nearly 1300 years, but most of what you see was built four centuries ago by the Fifth Dalai Lama.

Jokhang Temple location
It is in the middle of the old section of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet (Xizang is its Chinese name).

Barkhor Market
After your visit to the Jokhang Temple, explore the Barkhor Market, which surrounds the temple. The tightly backed stalls evoke the essence of traditional Tibetan city bazaars.