Barkhor, a circular street at the center of Old Lhasa, was created by pilgrims walking around Jokhang Temple throughout the centuries. Buddhist pilgrims walk or progress by body lengths clockwise along the street every day until dark. Most of Lhasa's transient population consists of these pilgrims, who process outside the four temple columns on which colorful scripture streamers are hung, a custom begun in the Tubo period (633-877) as a way to show respect.

Barkhor is a place where Tibetan culture, economy, religion, and arts converge and should not be missed. It is also a marketplace where shaggy nomads, traders, robed monks, and chant­ing pilgrims congregate. Clustered shops and stalls sell printed scriptures, cloth prayer flags, religious ves­sels, jewelry, Tibetan knives, ancient coins, and other Tibetan artifacts. Various merchandise from India and Nepal is also sold here.