Barkhor Street is a trading site as well as religious center. Barkhor Street¡¯s history is as long as Jokhang Temple¡¯s. The goods for sale here exemplify local Tibetan culture and artefacts. From morning to evening, streams of people throng the streets, to purchase whatever they need.Before entering the Jokhang Monastery,it is well worth strolling around the old streets and alleyways nearby, to get a taste of the old Tibetan atmosphere about town.
With the opening-up policies, more and more foreign tourists are allowed to come here. Some of the dealers here have learned to pick up basic English, a necessary skill to stay competitive here, when bargaining with foreign tourists. Barkhor Street is not merely filled with devout pilgrims and vendors selling souvenirs. It is actually a place where Tibetan culture, religion, business and arts assemble.
