The Barkhor is essentially a pilgrim circuit which is followed clockwise round the periphery of the Jokhang. It is also a hive of Market activity, an astounding jamboree, and a Tibetan-style stock exchange

All around the circuit are shops stalls, teahouses and hawkers. There is a wide variety of items to gladden a Tibetan heart- prayer flags, block prints of the holy scriptures, earrings, Tibetan boots, Nepalese biscuits, puffed rice, yak butter and incense. Whether you buy from a shop or a hawker, many of the Tibetan goods on sale have been imported from Nepal and many of the ' antiques' are not genuine.

People who roll up from remote parts of Tibet include Khambas from eastern Tibet, who braid their hair with red yarn and stride around with ornate swords or daggers, and Goloks ( Tibet nomads) from the north, who wear ragged sheepskins. Golok women display incredibly ornate hair bands down their backs.