Barkhor Street area
Lhasa, China (Tibet)
The old town's pilgrimage circuit around Jokhang Temple, dense with Tibetan restaurants, street food, and handicraft stalls.
Places in Barkhor Street area
- Old town Tibetan teahouses Traditional sweet-tea houses functioning as the local social hub, an essential part of Lhasa's daily rhythm.
Practical notes for Lhasa
- Best time to visit
- April to October offers the most accessible weather, though altitude acclimatisation should be planned for regardless of season.
- Getting around
- Central Lhasa around Barkhor Street and the Potala Palace is walkable, though the altitude makes a slower pace essential; a car and permit are required for excursions beyond the city.
- Currency
- Chinese Yuan (CNY)
- Language
- Tibetan and Mandarin Chinese. English is limited.
- Timezone
- CST (UTC+8)
- Current trends
- A gradual increase in luxury hotel openings near the Potala Palace is giving visitors more comfortable options for acclimatising to the altitude, while tour operators increasingly build in extra rest days given the health demands of the elevation.
Other neighborhoods in Lhasa
- Potala Palace area — The district surrounding Lhasa's most iconic landmark, with several luxury hotels offering palace views.
- Old town residential quarters — Traditional Tibetan neighbourhoods surrounding the main pilgrimage sites, offering a quieter look at daily life.
Read the full Lhasa guide