ííííThe Jokhang temple located in the center of the ancient city, was originally built in seventh century A.D. by King Songtsan Gampo to house the statues of Buddha that were brought here by his concubine, Nepalese princess Khridzun. The Jokhang Temple is one of the oldest constructions, with a history of over 1,350 years. It became a famous historical relic, and a major historical and cultural site under state protection to be maintained through the ages. It was named í░A World historical and cultural heritage siteí▒ in 2000.

ííííThe temple has four stories and is adorned with a golden roof facing west, the buildings are built in the style popular Tang dynasty as well as using, Indian and Nepalese influences. There are 21 huge wood pillars in the hall with elegant carvings of historical characters, swans, elephants, birds and other animals. Lines of carvings of beasts and sphinxes are located under the eaves. Tibetan style murals describe the stories of historical characters and Buddhist history. These were painted on the wall of the halls and corridors. The murals are painted hundreds of meters long in bright colours and a realistic style. They display the consummate skill and creative power of Tibetans. The gold-plated statue of Sakyamuni which was brought by Princess Wen Cheng from Changan is original and is enshrined in the middle of the main hall. The statues of Sontsan Gampo, Princess Wen Cheng, and Khridzun are on the two sides of the main hall. Plenty of historical and cultural relics since the Tang Dynasty are also maintained in the temple. The Tang willow Tree and an upright stone tablet of the meeting of sovereigns of the Tang and Tubo Dynasties are still maintained in front of the Temple.

ííííThe Jokhang Temple is the most brilliant construction remaining from the Tubo Kingdom and is also was the earliest civil construction in Tibet. It covers the area of 25,100 square meters, having been maintained and enlarged through its history.

ííííThe Temple is not only the site of enshrined statues and a site to be visited by pilgrims, but is also the location of the Tantric Mandala, the ideal depiction of the universe. There are three upright stone tablets set in front of the temple, among those, one is the tablet of the meeting of sovereigns of the Tang and Tubo Dynasties carved both in Mandarin and Tibetan in 823A.D.

BRIEF INTRODUCTIONS OF THE CHAPELSú║

íííí1íóThe murals on the wall of the right side of the main hall: Are the stories of Songtsan Gampo choosing the site to build the Temple.

íííí2íóThe Chapel of Zongkapa: The founder of the Gelupa sect, Zongkapa was from Zongka which is now Huangzhong county, Qinghai province. The meaning of his name is í░from Zongkaí▒. Gelupa is still the biggest sect in Tibetan Buddhsim. It is also called í░the Yellow sectí▒ because when they practise dharma they wear yellow hats.

íííí3íóThe White-stupa: It is said that when Songtsan Gampo chosen the place to build the temple, he threw his ring into the lake, and the White-stupa came out from the lake.

íííí4íóThe chapel of the Thousand-arm and Thousand-eye Avalokitesvara: Avalokitesvara is the kindest Bodhisattva, an people receive his help. In order to deliver all living creatures from torment, Avalokitesvara was given a thousand arms and eyes. Legend says that the statue was appeared in the time of Songtsan Gampo is reign, and Songtsan Gampo and his two concubines were absorbed into this statue after their death.

íííí5íóThe Chapel of Sakyamuni: This is the most holy chapel in the temple and the statue is the most holy statue in the mind of Buddhists. Therefore pilgrims from all different directions come to visit this statue, and most of the important religious activities are held here. There are six dakas and six dakinis standing on the wall of its two sides, and the statue of the 7th, the 13th Dalai Lamas and Zongkaba are set behind it.

íííí6íóThe Chapel of Songtsan Gambo: The statue of Songtsan Gambo and his two concubines are sitting in the middle of the chapel. Behind them are the statues of the seven saint heros. The decorated silver pot in front of the statue of Songtsan Gampo was used by him as a vessel for barley beer.

íííí7íóThe chapel of Palden Lhamo: The Dharmapala of Lhasa and the Gelupa sect. Two of the statues are enshrined here among which, one has a calm and peaceful expression while the other is wrathful. These faces are usually covered with cloth.

íííí8íóThe chapel of Maitreya Buddha: The statue which is carried out of the temple to the Barkor Street during the Grand Summons Ceremony is the future Buddha, sitting in the middle of the chapel. You may see a little stone carved goat at the corner of the left side, known as Ramo Jamo was said that this was the holy goat that lead other goats to bring stone sand earth to fill up the lake that original existed at that site when the temple was built.

íííí9íóThe chapel of the Tubo Kingdom: The statue of Songtsan Gampo is situated in the middle, and the statue of Tubo King Trisong Detzan and Tri Rebajing are on the two sides.

íííí10íóThe murals on the left wall of the entrance: describe the Potala Palace and Tibetan medical college of Chakori mountain as they were in the 7th century.