Tibetannet

People walk on the Barkhor Street in Lhasa on the morning of March 14, 2016. (Xinhua/Phurbu Tashi)

The thousand-year-old Barkhor Street wakes up slowly when the first beam of light shines on the Jokhang Temple.

The ancient round street surrounding the temple is located in the old area of Lhasa City. It's considered a symbol of Lhasa, and a must-see place for visitors.

Photo taken on March 14, 2016 shows sun shines on the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. (Xinhua/Phurbu Tashi)

A trodden path began to take shape when the Jokhang Temple was built here more than 1,300 years ago. The monastery's magnificence attracted thousands of Buddhist pilgrims to live around the route, which later became the Barkhor Street.Its name means the middle walk-around path for pilgrims. In old Lhasa, there are three such routes. Walking around a temple or other sacred places is Tibetan Buddhists' daily ritual.

A Buddhist pilgrim walk on the Barkhor Street in Lhasa with a prayer wheel in his hand on the morning of March 14, 2016. (Xinhua/Phurbu Tashi)

Today, pilgrims still hold prayer wheels walking clockwise around the temple from dawn to dark. Some have trekked thousands of miles to prostrate themselves before the sacred temple.

Their way of expressing piety demonstrates the holiness of religion.

A Buddhist pilgrim walk on the Barkhor Street in Lhasa with a prayer wheel in his hand on the morning of March 14, 2016. (Xinhua/Phurbu Tashi)

Besides Tibetans, people from Han, Hui and Monpa ethnic groups also live along the street.

Now the stone-paved Barkhor Street is a place for visitors to appreciate the original outlook of Lhasa. Thousands of tourists come here every day.

Traditional boots are displaced in a shop on the Barkhor Street in Lhasa on the morning of March 14, 2016. (Xinhua/Phurbu Tashi)

Shops stand on both sides of the street. Here you can see religious articles, such as prayer wheels, and traditional Tibetan clothes, such as long-sleeve coats "chuba".

Thangka, or Tibetan scroll painting, could also be found in some shops. It's a unique art of Tibet mainly with the themes of religion, history and literature.