2. Jokhang Temple

Jokhang Temple is in the center of Lhasa and plays a supreme role in Tibetan Buddhism. The four - story building is crowned with a golden top. The Jokhang Temple mixes the architecture styles of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618 - 907) with those of Nepal and India.

The legend of Jokhang Temple has several versions, and one is that the place where Jokhang Temple is located was originally a lake, which is said to have been the heart of a hag, according to Princess Wencheng, the wife of Songtsen Gampo. To avoid flooding, the lake was filled in at first and then Jokhang Temple was built.

 

Pious pilgrims pray outside Jokhang Temple. [Photo / Xia Baohe]

 

 

Visitors can see a statue of the 10th Panchen Lama. Panchen Lama is the highest ranking lama. [Photo / Xia Baohe]

 

 

Part of a prayer wheel. These are used to accumulate wisdom and merit and to purify negativity. [Photo / Xia Baohe]

 

 

A prayer turns  a prayer wheel. [Photo / Xia Baohe]