Built in 647 by Songtsen Gampo – the founder of Potala Palace – and his two foreign wives, Jokhang Temple is the spiritual center of Tibet. The temple has mixed architectural styles since it was built by craftsmen from Tibet, China and Nepal. The most sacred artifact in this temple is the sitting statue of Sakayamuni when he was 12 years old. The statue was carried to Tibet by Princess Wen Cheng, one of Songtsen Gampo’s Chinese wifes – from her home in Chang’an. The gilded statue is adorned with jewels with elaborate setting. Pilgrims have prostrated themselves in front of this statue for centuries.

The murals in the main hall depicting the procession of Princess Wen Cheng arriving in Tibet are worth seeing. In front of the Jokhang stands an old and withered willow tree said to be planted by Princess Wen Cheng. The roof of Jokhang Temple offers splendid views of the Barlchor Streets accross to the Potala Palace. The golden roofs are superbly crafted with many birds, beasts, bells ad other intricate figures.

Barkhor Street
Barkhor is the oldest street in Tibet. The street goes in circle leading the way to Jokhang Temple. It is a place where Tibetan culture, economy, religion and arts assemble.

Buddhist pilgrims walk or progress by body-lengths along the street clockwise every day into deep night. Most of Lhasa’s populations are comprised of these pilgrims. Besides being a religious route, Barkhor is also a bustling marketplace with numerous shops and stalls selling local products from printed scriptures and cloth prayer flags to religious vessels and Tibetan relics.

Drepung Monastery
Situated in the west of Lhasa city, Drepung Monastery was founded in 1416 by a disciple of Tsong Khapa under the patronage of a noble family and later enlarged by the Fifth Dalai Lama. The monastery, the largest and richest monastery in Tibet, stretches more than 200 thousand square meters. At its peak, it housed over 10000 monks.

It is home to many splendid murals and elaborate statues. The most important structure of the monastery is the Main Assembly Hall, where the Gilded Buddha and Sakyamuni are enshrined and worshipped. Four colleges in the monastery are the place where Buddhist monks were trained. Each has a chanting hall that can seat up to 5,000 monks.