Lhasa Attractions

Bakhor Street, Lhasa

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Bakhor Street, Lhasa

The Barkhor is found in the heart of Lhasa circling the Jokhang Temple. It means " a pilgrim' s inner circuit", and is the earliest street of old Lhasa city.

In the past, it was only a circumambulation circuit, "a saint road" in the eyes of Tibetan. Now it's also a shopping center with nation characteristics. It's an old district with colorful Tibetan features. Tibetan houses line the street, and the ground is paved with man-made flagstones, preserving the ancient look. In the street, you can find satisfactory souvenirs, and experience the mysterious "one step one kowtow" faith to religion. It dates back to the foundation of the Jokhang and is an essential pilgrim route. Houses and small inns were built all around the street. All the houses along the street are stores. All kinds of fantastic commodities show us all aspects of the Tibetan life. As time went on, shops and businesses also set up in the Barkhor, and it slowly became a prosperous area.

In the past 30 years many more services and facilities have opened, shops have increased and the street is scattered with stalls. It bustles with activity and is always jam-packed with trades people. It is "must" for souvenir-hunting tourists.

Many people call the Barkhor "the window of Tibet" as it is a typical reflection of Tibetan life. The old circumambulation circuit is always crowded with pilgrims from everywhere. Some come along the road by performing the body-long kowtows, some come by truck. Some are monks, and some are businessmen from Kham. In a word, here you will find people from all over Tibet. You can enjoy different dresses, and languages. Even the similar-looking dresses of the monks vary depending on the different religions. Bakhor Street is the window to view the Tibetan area, which is silently telling the history of Lhasa.

Tips

1. Direction: Walk in the clockwise direction in the in the Bakhor street
2. Time: Don't stroll in the Bakhor Street too late. Every day after 6 o'clock the Bakhor Street will turn to a fair trade market, mainly selling small articles of everyday use. And there are many narrow lanes and side roads along the street, you may easily get lost in the dark.
3. Second-hand goods: For some unknown reasons, the stall keepers in the Bakhor Street firmly believe that second-hand goods can be sold at a high price, so they will show you new articles while telling you they are second-handed. In fact, that's only a way of deciding the value, which will not indicate any problem about their judgment.
4. Bargain: When shopping in the Bakhor Street, visitors shall learn to bargain with the stall keepers. The stall keepers will charge quite differently for the same article, usually by ten times. Don't make the final decision before inquiring several shops. The quality of the same goods differ greatly, especially the Dzi Beads from Heaven.
5. Discounts: According to the ancient customs, every day the Tibetan stall keepers will offer discounts to the first and the last buyers. Besides, the stall keeper will tap the money, charged from the buyers, on the goods as a way of inviting the God of Wealth.

 

 

 

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