Jokhang Temple and Ramoche Temple

The Jokhang Temple and Ramoche Temple are located at the center of the old downtown area of Lhasa; just 500 meters separate the two. Contemporaneous with the Potala, they were both built by the seventh-century ruler Songtsen Gampo for the same purpose – his marriages to Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty and Princess Bhrkuti of Nepal. The Jokhang Temple housed the life-sized statue of Sakyamuni as an eight-year-old that Princess Bhrkuti brought with her, while the Ramoche Temple enshrined the 12-year-old life-sized statue of Sakyamuni brought by Princess Wencheng. Today, they have switched places and the latter statue is the most valuable relic in the Jokhang Temple. According to historical records, the original buildings of the Ramoche Temple were destroyed by fire and rebuilt several times over, so the original buildings are lost. The current halls are much later struc tures.

The legend goes that the site of Jokhang Temple was originally a wetland. Its construction took three years and involved the use of 1,000 white goats to transport earth. This gave the Jokhang its original name "Scripture hall built of goat-carried earth." In the 17th century, the fifth Dalai launched a major program of repair and expansion, the first of many expansions that have brought it to its current size. The Jokhang Temple is the earliest building in Tibet to have a structure of earth and timber, a fusion of Chinese and Tibetan architectural arts. The inner and outer walls of its halls and the surrounding corridors are all painted with frescos, some 2,600 square meters of mural art, their themes covering Buddhism, historical figures and stories. The temple also preserves many precious relics, foremost of which may be the "Tang-Tubo Alliance Monument," a historical witness to the friendly exchanges between the Han and Tibetan people.

The Jokhang Temple is the "heart" of Lhasa, in terms of both its geographical position and social function. Circumambulation around the Sakyamuni Hall within the temple is called "Nangkor," that around the outside wall of the temple is "Bakhor," and the biggest circumambulation – centered on the Jokhang but also taking in the Potala, Yaowang Mountain and Ramoche Temple – is "Lingkor." The three circuits, from the inner to the outer circuits, are ritual pilgrimage routes for Tibetans. Everyday, the faithful can be seen making their way to the temple, paying homage to Buddha by continually prostrating themselves. They usually come from far away, prostrating all the way there, and walk around the Jokhang Temple intoning their prayers. Finally they enter the temple to pay homage to Buddha. In some cases the pilgrimage can take half a lifetime.

In November 2000, the Jokhang Temple was listed by UNESCO as a World Cultural Heritage site.

Tips for Tourists Heading for Lhasa

Because of the high altitude, it is wise to have a health check-up before heading for the plateau. It is not suitable for visitors with diseases affecting heart, lung, brain, liver or kidney, or with severe anemia, hypertension, diabetes or influenza.

Foreign and Taiwanese tourists, and overseas Chinese (except for Hong Kong and Macao tourists holding Chinese "Special Administrative Region (SAR) Identity Card," "SAR passport" or "Home Visit Permit,") must apply for a Tibet travel permit and are advised to take part in an organized group tour. The Tourism Bureau of Tibet Autonomous Region has branches in Beijing, Chengdu, Xi'an, Shanghai, Xining, Hong Kong and such countries as Nepal, the United States and Japan. It provides consultation services and makes arrangements for individual tourists.

The peak tourism season is May to October. Tourist attractions usually operate on a differential pricing system – off-season and peak season.

Potala Palace Opening Hours: 9:00-17: 00 (Because of limits on numbers and time, in the peak season bookings should be made at least one day ahead.)

Jokhang Temple Opening Hours: 7:00-12:00 and 15:00-18: 30 (Before 11:30 a.m., admission is mainly for Buddhist followers; tourists are admitted later.)

Given the intense ultraviolet radiation at high altitude, sun-block protection is very important. It is also advisable to carry such medicine as rhodiola, aminophylline, chlorpromazine, compound aspirin, and vitamins C, E, B1 and B6 to prevent altitude sickness.