Jokhang Temple, located in the old city of Lhasa, is a temple of Tibetan Buddhism. With a history of 1350 years, Jokhang Temple has a paramount status in Tibetan Buddhism. In November, 2000, Jokhang Temple was placed on the World Heritage list together with Potala Palace. Just as a famous Lama said that no trip to Lhasa is complete without a visit to Jokhang Temple, and this point of view is agreed by all tourists who visit Tibet.

Jokhang Temple was firstly built during the peak period of Tubo Dynasty in 7th century and building this temple was to worship a life-size statue of Sakyamuni at the age of 8 which was brought to Tubo by a princess from Kathmandu, Nepal. After years of expansions, the temple now takes an area of 25,100 square meters. It is worth mentioning that Jokhang Temple now worships the life-size statue of Sakyamuni at the age of 12 which was brought by a Tang princess, and the original one was moved to the Ramoche Temple.

Jokhang Temple is the most splendid construction of Tubo period preserved now in Tibet, and also the oldest civil structure building, creating Tibetan-style temples’ layouts. Combining the architectural styles of Tibet, Tang Dynasty, Nepal and India, Jokhang Temple is the typical classic of Tibetan religious architecture.

It is said by Tibetan people that Lhasa was built after the complete of Jokhang Temple, and that saying points out the important status of Jokhang Temple in the locals’ mind. Jokhang Temple plays a central role in Lhasa, both geographically and mentally. The paths around the Sakyamuni Hall inside the temple are called “Nangguo”; the streets directed from the Jokhang Temple are named “Baguojie” or “Bajiaojie”; with Jokhang Temple as the centre, the area including Potala Palace, Medicine Mountain and Ramoche Temple is called “Linguo”. These three circles from the inside to the outside are the circumanbulations of Tibetan people.

Jokhang Temple owns numerous precious relics, providing rich materials for Tibetan studies. The tablet in the front square witnesses the friendship between Han people and Tibetan people. Jokhang Temple is also the centre of holding important Buddhist ceremonies.

No trip to Tibet is complete without traveling to Lhasa, and no journey to Lhasa is perfect without visiting Jokhang Temple. It can be said that your China Tibet tours would be more impressive and meaningful if once explore the mysterious temple http://www.chinatours.com/china-tour-planner/tibet-tours.html.