Barkhor Street & Norbulingka

Barkhor Street

Located in the center of old Lhasa, Barkhor Street is the oldest street in Lhasa, as well as the most representative. Being a circular street, Barkhor is the road that pilgrims either walk or crawl around the Jokhang Temple since it was first constructed in the seventh century. With more than 6,000 people living here, Barkhor Street is about 1 kilometer (0.62 miles) long. Traditional Tibetan houses and narrow lanes in and around the street whisper the stories of old Lhasa.

Barkhor Street is also a marketplace in which visitors can buy many beautiful souvenirs. Religious objects such as prayer flags, prayer wheels, thangkas (a kind of mounted scroll paintings ), sutras, prayer beads, etc. as well as jewelry, Tibetan knives, food, costume, and so on are easily found in this ancient street. Restaurants including Huiren Bar, Barkhor Cafe, Makye Ame Restaurant serve high quality local and western foods which will satisfy every visitor.

Combining ancient and modern, religious and everyday life in perfect harmony, Barkhor Street is indeed a must-see for all visitors!

 Norbulingka

Norbulingka, meaning Jewel Park, was the Summer Palace of Dalai Lamas. Originally built by the Seventh Dalai Lama in the 18th century, it now covers an area of some 360,000 square meters (about 89 acres) after successive expansions by the Eighth, Thirteenth, and Fourteenth Dalai Lamas. Potrangs, pavilions, gardens, a zoo, lakes and woodland make Norbulingka the perfect place for visitor to relax.

Kelsang Potrang, which was also built by the Seventh Dalai Lama, is also known as the old Summer Palace. The Dalai Lamas ruled and received officials and lamas here every summer. The Eighth Dalai Lama built Chibra Khang (reading room), Khamsum Zilnon (a pavilion for the Dalai Lamas to watch Tibetan Opera) and a lake. He also built a palace and a temple in the center of the lake. Now it is the most beautiful spot in Norbulingka. 

In 1922, the Thirteenth Dalai Lama built his Golden Linka and Chensel Potrang in the western part of Norbulingka, planting many rare trees and flowers there. The New Summer Palace, which was built by the Fourteenth Dalai Lama, lies in the north part of the palace grounds. Murals on the walls inside the palace are vivid and delicate, with the most famous being that of Sakyamuni and his eight disciples. Sakyamuni is portrayed as being both calm and virtuous, while the disciples are ruminative. Murals in the southern hall also tell of the history of Tibet: the origins of the Tibetan people, the rise and fall of the Yarlung Dynasty (Tubo Kingdom), the spread of Buddhism, and the story of Dalai Lamas. All of these murals are in good condition, and they are important for both researchers of history and art.

In the past, only Dalai Lamas and a few privileged people were allowed to stay in Norbulingka. Now, after years of restoration, Norbulingka has become a public park satisfying both visitors and locals alike, with Traditional Tibetan Opera being performed here every day.