This page is archived and no longer updated — see the current guide: See the current guide
Jokhang Temple大昭寺
The Jokhang Temple stands at the heart of Lhasa's old town and is among the most sacred temples in Tibetan Buddhism. Founded in 647 AD under the direction of Princess Wencheng, it enshrines the life-size statue of Sakyamuni at age twelve that she brought from Chang'an — the most revered image in the Tibetan Buddhist world. Built by the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo in honor of his Nepali consort Bhrikuti, it stands with the Potala Palace as the defining landmark of Lhasa.
Lhasa · Visitor Guide2026-10-27
Quick Answer
Is Jokhang Temple worth visiting?
Tibetan Buddhism's holiest temple, built under Princess Wencheng's direction and home to the life-size statue of Sakyamuni at age 12.
Quick facts
| Ticket | Peak season CNY 85; off season CNY 45 |
|---|---|
| Hours | 09:00-18:00 (last entry 17:00) |
| Recommended duration | 1.5-2.5 hours |
| Best time to visit | April-October; pilgrimage season draws bigger crowds |
| How to get there | Walk to the center of the Barkhor circuit; buses 1, 3, 4, 11, 12 to the Jokhang Temple stop |
| English signage | Yes |
| Wheelchair accessible | Partial |
| Founded | 647 AD |
| Enshrines | The life-size statue of Sakyamuni at age 12 |
| Builder | Songtsen Gampo (King of Tibet) |
| Status | One of Tibetan Buddhism's holiest temples |
| Area | About 25,000 sq m |
| Worship | Pilgrims at prayer all year round |
What to expect
The Jokhang is the holiest shrine in the hearts of Tibetan Buddhists, and its central image — the life-size statue of Sakyamuni at age twelve — was carried to Lhasa by Princess Wencheng from Chang'an. One of the three life-size statues blessed during the Buddha's lifetime (the eight-year-old statue now in India is another), it is the most precious sacred object in Tibetan Buddhism. Every day countless pilgrims arrive to prostrate themselves before it, a deeply moving sight.
The temple's architecture blends Tang Chinese, Nepali and Indian styles, with gilded roofs, flying eaves and painted doorways of great beauty. Dozens of chapels fill the compound: around the main hall's Sakyamuni image, side chapels enshrine Songtsen Gampo, Princess Wencheng, Princess Bhrikuti and the line of Dalai Lamas. The Thousand Buddha Corridor and the mural galleries display Tibetan art at its finest.
The Jowo chapel, home of the Sakyamuni image, is the temple's beating heart and its thickest incense smoke. The flagstones before it have been worn into deep grooves by generations of full-body prostrations — a record of the power of faith. Outside, the Barkhor circuit circles the temple as Lhasa's oldest street, where pilgrims walk clockwise past crowded shops; there is no better place to soak up Tibetan culture.
How to get there
In the old town at the center of the Barkhor circuit — within walking distance; buses serve the Jokhang Temple and Chongyekang stops.
Best photo spots
- The gilded rooftops of the Jokhang
- Viewpoints along the Barkhor
- Pilgrims prostrating before the hall
- The Thousand Buddha Corridor inside
Tips
- Visit early in the morning or toward evening for good light and fewer tourists
- Photography is not allowed inside — please respect the rule
- Walk the Barkhor circuit clockwise, never counter-clockwise
- A Tibetan guide brings out the deeper layers of history and meaning
Scams to avoid
- No notable scam risk — a properly run sight
Frequently asked questions
How is the Jokhang different from the Potala Palace?
The Potala is a palace converted to religious use, celebrated for its architecture and the stupa-tombs of the Dalai Lamas; the Jokhang is a purely religious temple, and its life-size Sakyamuni statue makes it the holiest of all.
Can I light a butter lamp inside?
Yes — butter lamps can be lit for blessings inside the temple.
How long should I allow for a visit?
Plan on 1.5-2.5 hours; a guide makes the history and culture far easier to grasp.
Read next
Other things to do in Lhasa
Barkhor Street
Lhasa's oldest street, a roughly 1,000 m pilgrim circuit around Jokhang Temple dating to the 7th century; free to walk, shops 9:00-20:00, full of Tibetan architecture and ritual life.
Drepung Monastery
Drepung Monastery (哲蚌寺, Zhébàng Sì), founded in 1416, was once the largest monastery in the world — housing up to 10,000 monks before 1959 — and still clings to a steep hillside 8 km west of Lha.
Mount Kailash
Tibet's holiest peak at 6,638m — sacred to four religions. 3-day kora (52 km) around the mountain. Permit required. Remote, high-altitude, deeply spiritual.
Nam Co Lake
Tibet's second-largest lake, at 4,718 m one of the highest in the world — a sacred lake of Tibetan Buddhism set against the Nyenchen Tanglha mountains.
Namtso Lake
At 4,718 m, Namtso is one of the highest large lakes on Earth and Tibet's largest saltwater lake; the run from Lhasa is about 240 km each way and eats a full 12-hour day, so leave before dawn.
Norbulingka
Norbulingka in Lhasa is Tibet's largest garden (about 360,000 sqm) and the Dalai Lamas' summer palace since the 18th century; entry 30-60 yuan, closed Mondays, UNESCO listed.
Potala Palace
The world's highest palace, at 3,700 m above Lhasa — a sacred site of Tibetan Buddhism and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Sera Monastery
One of the six great Gelug monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism, founded in 1419 in Lhasa; entry 50 yuan, open 9:00-16:00, with famous monk debating sessions 14:00-17:00 Monday to Saturday.
Yamdrok Lake
A sacred turquoise lake at 4,441 m and one of Tibet's three holy lakes, reached by a 2.5-hour drive from Lhasa over the 4,794 m Kamba La pass.
Museums in Lhasa
Tibet Museum
Lhasa's state-of-the-art museum of Tibetan history and culture — thangka masterpieces, prehistoric artifacts, and an essential orientation before the Potala Palace. Free; 2.5–3.5 hours.
Xizang (Tibet) Museum
Reopened in 2022 after a multi-year renovation. Tibetan history from prehistory to modern era, with world-class thangka and Buddhist art collections. Free.