The Jokhang Temple on Barkhor Square in Lhasa was founded in 652 CE by King Songtsen Gampo and holds the Jowo Shakyamuni — a gilt statue regarded as Tibet’s most sacred image. The temple anchors the Barkhor pilgrimage circuit and forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage ensemble (site 707) with the Potala and Norbulingka.
Overview
Every Tibetan pilgrimage route leads eventually to the Jokhang. Pilgrims prostrate on the flagstones outside from before dawn; inside, the air is thick with butter-lamp smoke and the murmur of prayer. The central Jowo chapel sits on the ground floor beneath gilded roofs that were gilded with gold donated by the Fifth Dalai Lama. Allow one to two hours; mornings are busiest with pilgrims and afternoons quieter for visitors.
History
Songtsen Gampo built the Jokhang to house the Jowo Shakyamuni, said to have been brought to Tibet by Princess Wencheng of the Tang court in the 7th century. The temple survived fires and renovations across thirteen centuries; the present layout reflects major rebuilds under the Fifth Dalai Lama in the 17th century. The Barkhor street around it became Lhasa’s commercial and spiritual hub, with merchants’ houses and smaller chapels filling the lanes.
Architecture
The Jokhang combines Indian, Nepalese and Tibetan elements in a four-storey layout centred on the Jowo chapel. Golden finials and prayer flags crown the roof; the forecourt fills with pilgrims performing full-length prostrations. Murals on upper floors record historical donations and visits by Mongol and Chinese emperors. The surrounding Barkhor kora is 800 m around the temple perimeter — walk it clockwise with the pilgrims for the full experience.
Religious and cultural significance
The Jowo Shakyamuni is a 1.5 m gilt statue in the mature Buddha form, attributed to the lifetime of the Buddha and brought from Chang’an. For Gelug, Sakya, Kagyu and Nyingma pilgrims alike, touching the Jokhang threshold completes a lifetime vow. The temple is active: monks maintain daily rituals, and butter-lamp offerings are renewed each morning. Respect dress codes — shoulders and knees covered — and walk clockwise inside all chapels.
How to visit
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Ticket | CNY 85 (includes main chapels) |
| Hours | Generally 08:00–18:00; chapels close earlier in winter |
| Duration | 1–2 hours inside; add 30 min for Barkhor kora |
| Photography | Prohibited in Jowo chapel; allowed on roof terrace |
The Jokhang pairs naturally with the Potala Palace (2.1 km) on a walking day in old Lhasa. Sweet tea houses on the Barkhor circuit make a natural rest stop — see our Tibetan food guide. Your guide handles tickets; the Tibet Travel Permit is checked at hotel check-in, not usually at the temple gate.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Jokhang Temple admission?
CNY 85 for the main chapel route including the Jowo Shakyamuni shrine. The ticket is collected at the gate; Tibet Daily tours include this in the quoted price. No separate reservation is needed, unlike the Potala’s timed slots.
What is the Jowo Shakyamuni statue?
A 1.5 m gilt bronze of the Buddha at age 12, housed in the central chapel since the 7th century. Tibetan tradition attributes it to the Buddha’s lifetime; historians date the image to the Tang dynasty. It is the most venerated object in Tibetan Buddhism and the reason every pilgrimage route leads to Lhasa.
When is the best time to visit the Jokhang?
Early morning (before 09:00) for active pilgrim prostrations and butter-lamp lighting; late afternoon for fewer tour groups. Saga Dawa (May or June full moon) and Losar (Tibetan New Year) bring the heaviest pilgrim crowds — atmospheric but slow-moving inside the chapels.
Can I walk the Barkhor without entering the Jokhang?
Yes. The Barkhor kora is a public clockwise circuit around the temple, free of charge, open 24 hours. Most pilgrims complete it before entering the paid chapel route. Follow clockwise direction and give way to prostrating pilgrims on the wooden boards.
Is the Jokhang part of UNESCO World Heritage?
Yes. The Jokhang was added to the Potala Palace UNESCO inscription (site 707) in 2000 as part of the “Historic Ensemble of the Potala Palace, Lhasa.” Norbulingka joined the same listing in 2001.
How do I add the Jokhang to my itinerary?
Every standard Lhasa tour includes the Jokhang on Day 1 or 2. Tell us if you prefer the dawn pilgrim atmosphere or a quieter afternoon visit and we adjust the schedule. Send passport scans 20 working days ahead for the permit; the Jokhang itself needs no separate booking.