Potala Palace and Jokhang Temple

If there are any institutions that represent Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism, it is the Potala Palaceand the Jokhang Temple.  So iconic is the Potala Palace that whenever you see a picture of Tibet it's represented by the Palace.  Today it is not a palace.  It is a museum, following the annexation of Tibet by China in 1959.  It was formerly a winter palace of the Dalai Lama, who is essentially the leader of Tibet.

Frontal View of the Potala Palace

Visitors streaming towards the palace

A View from the lake

Unfortunately, photography was not allowed inside the palace.  Suffice to say the Palace is a collection of Tibetan culture and history over 500 years.  Our guide Norbu took us on an over 2-hour tour, intertwining history, Buddhism, culture, lineage, etc.  There were so many new terms and images that without photography or notebook there was no way to keep track of who is who, where is where and what is what.  Nevertheless, it was a fascinating encapsulation of the whole Tibet Buddhism sect, where it came from and where it is today.  I am sure there are books written or videos of what is in the Palace.

Below are other close-up views of the outside of the Palace:

Our Guide Norbu

Looking at surrounding area from one of the terraces

We are now ready for a nice lunch at the Bakuo or Barkhor area near the Jokhang Temple, where we'll be going next.

Shops in the Bakhor Area

The Jokhang is considered the heart of Lhasa.  It consists of a Tibetan Buddhist Temple, the temple complex itself and a monastery.  It is located in Bakhor Square.  It was first built in 640 by the then Tibetan king.  In 2000 it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an extension of the Potala Palace.  

The temple is considered the spiritual heart of the city and the most sacred in Tibet.  It is also the focal point of commercial activity in the city, with streets surrounding the temple.  The Bakhor has a walkway for pilgrims to walk around the temple.

Our guide Norbu took us on a tour inside the temple.  He explained the different stages of Buddhism and which Dalai Lama built which part of the temple.  Trying to tell over 1,000 years of history in 2 hours is definitely a challenge.  Remembering any of it is an even bigger challenge.  Below are some of the pictures around the temple and Bakhor Square.

Entrance to the temple

Shops selling prayer needs 

Worshippers walking around the temple

Shops around the square

A free Public Toilet

Pilgrams worship by being prostrate

Turning prayer wheels

A Convenience Market and a KFC in the Square

I won't be doing it justice by trying to explain  everything about the Petala Palace and the Jokhang Temple.  Hopefully, the pictures above give you an idea of what it looks like, on the outside.  This is the pinnacle of Tibetan Buddhism.  It is like being in the Vatican for the Catholics or Mecca for the Muslims.  You have to be here to understand the devotion of these believers.  Some come from very far and walked days to get here.  Their faith is their guiding light.