Jokhang Temple was called "resa" at first and later changed to be called "jokhang" to mean "Buddhist chapel" in the Tibetan language. "Resa" in Tibetan means soil and goats to indicate that the temple was built with the soil carried to the site by white goats.

The Jokhang Temple is one of Lhasa"s holiest shrines, first built in 647 A.D. in celebration of the marriage of the Tang Princess Wencheng and the Tubo King Songtsen Gampo. Located in the center of old Lhasa, the temple was set up by craftsmen from Tibet, China, and Nepal and hence the different architectural styles.

The Jokhang Temple, first built in the shape of a two-story boat, is the most magnificent building remaining from the Tupo Dynasty in Tibet. After being refitted and enlarged by the ensuing dynasties, it now covers an area of more than 25,100 square meters.

In the front courtyard there are three stone tablets right beside the main gate. The alliance treaty between the Tang Dynasty and the Tupo Dynasty in 823 A.D. is among the trio. The treaty is inscribed in both Tibetan and Chinese languages.

There is a walk-round around the main temple in the courtyard. Twisting sutra drums are arranged to line the walk-round and there are frescoes of one thousand Buddhas on the walls surrounding the courtyard.

Inside the temple there are several chapels. The Jokhang Temple is the main chapel that is in the shape of a courtyard. Behind hundreds of yak-butter lamps, there is the main prayer hall which houses the statue of Avalokitesvara with eleven faces and one thousand arms and one thousand eyes on hand palms.

The Jokhang is the most celebrated temple in Tibet. Because the temple is not controlled by a particular sect of Tibetan Buddhism it attracts adherents of all the sects as well as followers of Bon-Po, Tibet"s indigenous religion. Three pilgrimage circuits exist in Lhasa, each directing pilgrims to the Jowo Sakyamuni statue: the Lingkhor, which encircles the city"s sacred district; the Barkhor, which encloses the Jokhang temple; and the Nangkhor, a ritual corridor inside the Jokhang. Every day throughout the year hundreds of pilgrims circumambulate each of these three circuits. Some pilgrims will cover the entire distance by prostrating every few feet, and others will walk slowly, chanting sacred mantras and spinning hand-held prayer wheels. For more than a thousand years millions of pilgrims have trod these sacred paths with devotion in their hearts; this cumulative focusing of intention and love has charged the Jokhang with an enormously powerful field of sanctity.

Quick Booking or Enquiry

We thank you for your interest in our travel service. For a fast response, submit this basic Quick Reservation or Enquiry form below by clicking "Submit", and we'll get back to you by e-mail within 12 to 24 hours. For urgent booking, call us at 0086 10 67160201 ext 1006, 1007. After office hours, please call 0086 13520598855. Your Full Name Mr. Mrs. Ms. * E-mail * Special Requests Type in the box Required fields are marked with ( * )

Home   |   China Tours   |   Yangtze River Cruises   |   Tibet Tours   |   China Join-in Tours   |   Beijing Tours   |   Xian Tours   |   Shanghai Tour   |   Guilin Tours
About eTours | Contact Us | Terms & Conditions | Site Map | Partnership | Chinese | Links | 

E-mail:
Copyright 2003-2012,eTours.cn.all rights reserved. ICP:041309
Trustworthy Beijing Based China Travel Agency & China Tour Operator