Jokhang Temple is located at the center of the ancient city of Lhasa

Jokhang Temple is located at the center of the ancient city of Lhasa, first constructed in the seventh century (647A.D.) during the time of the Tubo King Strontsan Gampo. In order to promote friendly relationships with the neighboring countries, Strontsan Gampo married his first wife, Princess Tritsun (the sister of the Nepalese King Narendradeva) in 632(or 634) and his second wife, well-known Princess Wencheng from China in 641. When the two wives arrived in Tibet, each brought a statue of Jowo Sakyamuni. During that time, most people lived in tents and there were few palaces. To house the Buddha brought by Princess Wencheng, King Strontsan Gampo constructed the Little Jokhang. The original structure was small. However, large scale reconstruction and renovation took place during the reign of the Fifth Dalai Lama.More information about China Tours in chinatourguide.com.

'Jokhang', the name of the temple, means the 'House of the Buddha'. Originally the temple was called the 'Tsuklakang' (Tsulag Khang) - 'House of Religious Science' or 'House of Wisdom' during the Bon period of Tibet. The term ’ tsuklak’ refers to the 'sciences' such as geomancy ,astrology, and divination which formed part of the pre-Buddhist shamanistic religion now referred to as Bon .It is more commonly known today as the Jokhang, which means the 'House of the Buddha'.

The statue of Sakyamuni at age 12 sits in the center of the hall on the first floor of Jokhang Temple. The statue had been small and thin at the very beginning, but after being gilded many times and decorated elaborately with typical jewels in Tibet by the followers, the size of the statue of the twelve-year-old Sakyamuni has become much larger than its original one. Jokhang Temple is not as big as other palaces in Tibet, but once you step inside the hall, you will be amazed by the exquisite Buddha figures. Each stature is so vivid that you will be filled with deep respect by the atmosphere at once.