UNESCO World Heritage SiteNational 5A Scenic AreaSouthwest China
Jokhang Temple & Barkhor, Lhasa
大昭寺·八廓街 · Tibet, Lhasa
Tibet's holiest Buddhist temple, at the heart of Lhasa, circled day and night by prostrating pilgrims.
The Jokhang is the most sacred temple in Tibetan Buddhism, founded in the 7th century to house a Buddha statue brought by Tang-dynasty princess Wencheng. Around it runs the Barkhor, a bustling circular pilgrimage circuit and market street thronged with pilgrims spinning prayer wheels and prostrating, making it the living spiritual heart of Lhasa.
Built around 642 AD under King Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng, the Jokhang drew pilgrims for centuries and was repeatedly expanded. Together with the Potala Palace and Norbulingka it forms the UNESCO World Heritage Site 'Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace', listed in 1994 (Jokhang added 2000).
Day-by-day routes you won't find online — now starting with an 8-day, 1,500 km loop through western Sichuan. New regions are added regularly; tell us where you want to drive next.
