What is known about Barhor street in Lhasa - the ancient capital of Tibet?

Street Barhor located in the old district of Lhasa. It is called in Chinese Batszyaotsze (in translation «octagonal street»).

Its length is over 1000 meters.

Street

not straight, but circular. It has existed for over 1300 years. Street paved with stone pieces, honed by hand. It is not wide, but every day it moves to the big flow of people.

We leave to the street Barhor immediately see that there are numerous shops and stalls, everywhere a lot of people. Outside Barhor only mobile shops, there are more than a thousand. In shops on both sides of the street selling Tibetan robes, knives, religious items, as well as various goods brought from

India and Nepal

.

Syamu Kapa - one of the famous shops that opened migrant Nepalis. It has existed for more than 70 years and is considered one of the oldest shops on the street Barhor. Shop sells metal statues of Buddha, made at different times and works of applied art in the ancient style. All products are sold in this store are made to order in Nepal and brought from there. When the store Syamu Kapu flourished, its turnover was high. First motorcycle in Tibet was brought employees of the shop through the mountain passage on the Sino-Nepalese border in the mountains of the Himalayas .

Walking down the street Barhor, you can not miss one famous place. This - well-known inn, called Mackey America. Restaurant is located on the south-eastern section of the street Barhor. This is a yellow two-story building. In the Tibetan language «Mackey America» means «Holy Mother» or «pure girl». As owner of the inn told Tsering Wangqing, the name of the inn is associated with one of the folk tales. They say that 300 years ago, in search of the Goddess Duma Tibetan Dalai Lama sixth Tsangyang Gyatso often strolled through the local streets and restaurants. Tsering Wangqing says:

«One day, when Tsangyang Gyatso was in a tavern, a beautiful girl, too, came here. She turned the curtain on the door, looked inside the tavern and left. When she opened the curtain, saw her Tsangyang Gyatso. He had never seen such a beautiful girl and took her for a goddess of the Duma. Then Tsangyang Gyatso came to the inn in the second and third time, but the girl there more and did not appear. A tavern was called «Mackey America» ».

This tavern «Mackey America» party atmosphere of art. On the walls hang pictures of the inn, photographs and artistic handicrafts. Bookcase full of books in English and Chinese languages. Visiting the inn, guests can borrow books and read them, listen to Tibetan folk music, try both Chinese and western food. Restaurant «Mackey America» - is an object that must go to visit the city of Lhasa, where they walk down the street Barhor.

Barhor Street in Lhasa is the most bustling shopping street and the street, which has national flavor. Naturally, this street are many famous stores, which sell works of art, made in Tibetan style. In such shops mostly selling traditional Tibetan paintings such Tangkara and carpets in Tibetan style, made by hand. Tangkar - it figures in the religious theme in a book. They are usually packaged in colored silk and hang on a special place designated for worship. Outside Barhor many shops that specialize in the sale of drawings Tangkar. The most famous of them - this is an old trading company - a shop selling handicrafts and Tangkar «Snowy Region». Business this store is very busy. The most interesting thing that attracts tourists in the shop «Snowy Region» - free training clients the ability to draw Tangkar. Those who wish to study in a store, after graduation can draw their own hands Tangkar for their own pleasure or as a gift to the families and loved ones. Every year the store a lot of fans come

Tibetan art

from around the world.

Each day, about 9 o'clock, tourists from different countries and regions of the world, visiting Tibet and Lhasa, come to the street Barhor. In stores they choose for themselves or for their friends ware Tibetan arts. Especially high demand hand-woven carpets, hats, made in Shigatse, simple, but the old wooden cups, bracelets and necklaces made of different materials. Night Market on the street Barhor even more attractive. When the light is on the street, shops are still open. Walking on it, you can shop, eat with music. Everything is so good that tourists forget about everything.
Source: China Radio Material Preparation: Dmitry Kolpakov
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