Tourist places in Ladakh

Tourist places in Ladakh

The isolated beauty of Ladakh beckons many travellers who want to enjoy the open sky, the towering and looming mountains and the

fantastic landscape. 

There are quite a few places to visit in Ladakh that will simply take one's breath away. Starkly different from the region of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh is a region that is all its own.

Apart from the tourist spots, there is also a such as great scope for adventure sports trekking and white water river rafting here.

There are some wonderful places to visit in Ladakh which are described below

Alchi Monastry

It is located in Alchi village in the Leh district. It was built by the great translator Guru Rinchen Zangpo in 1000 AD.

• The murals of this monastery depict the lives of both Buddhist and Hindu kings of that time in Kashmir.

. This monastery has temples like Vairocana Lhakhang (Buddha), Lotsava Lhakhang, Jamyang Lhakhang (Goddess Manjusri Temple) and Sumtsag Lhakhang.

The paintings of this monastery belong to Indian style.

Hemis Monastery

. This monastery is located on the West bank of Indus river about 47km from Leh district.

• It is the biggest and richest monastery of Ladakh region.

• It was built by the 1st incarnation of Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyatso in 1630 AD.

• There is also a sacred hermitage near this monastery built by the Great Gyalwa Kotsang.

• A sacred mask dance is held here on 9th and 10th day of the fifth month of Tibetan calendar.

Kargil

. It is the second largest town in Ladakh after Leh and situated at a height of 2704 m above the mean sea level.

. It is known for its Snow Laden Peaks and Green Meadows.

.The place offers adventurous activities such as trekking and mountaineering. Sani Monastery which was built by the King Kanishka of the Kushana dynasty during 2nd Century, is regarded as one of the oldest religious sites in Ladakh and Zanskar.

. Other important tourist places of this town are Mulbekh, Rangdum, Zongkhul and Stonday monasteries. Kargil also host Archery contest during the month of May. 

Leh

• It lies between Karakoram and the Himalayan ranges on the bank of Indus river at a height ranging from 2300 m to 5000 m above mean sea level.

• It is considered as the most significant and beautiful town in the region. Leh city is mostly covered by ancient Buddhist monuments, mosques dating back to 16th and 17th centuries.

• It also has a nine storeys palace Sengge Namgyal which was built in Tibetan architectural style of Medieval Era.

• It is also known as the Land of Lamas (Buddhist monks) and is mainly inhabited by Buddhists and Hindus.

• There are number of interesting places and monastries such as the Leh Palace, the Monastries of Shey, Hemis, Alchi, etc. 

Zanskar Valley

• Zanskar is a small district in Kargil, located in the eastern side of Ladakh.

• Zanskar valley is one of the most enchanting places to visit in the Himalayan region. 

• This valley is in a semi-desert, with a large number of Buddhists.

• It is famous for its high snow capped mountains and surrounding unique landscapes. Located 105 km from Leh, it has earned fame among adventure enthusiasts.

• Trekkers came here for trekking over the Zanskar river in winter, mainly in January and February when the sheet of ice is thickest. 

Nubra Valley

• It is located in North-East of Ladakh valley and 150 km North of Leh district where two rivers meet, namely Nubra river and Shyok river. The valley is known as the Orchard of Ladakh.

• The valley has many tourist sites like Diskit village. It has the oldest and largest Buddhist monastery in Nubra valley.

• This valley is certainly one of the best places to visit in Ladakh. Famous for its white sand deserts and double-humped camels.

• Turtuk village is a famous cultural tourist place in this valley. It was opened for tourists after the year 2010.

• Panamik village is well-known for its hot water springs in the valley.

Pangong Tso Lake

. It is found in Eastern Ladakh and West Tibet, situated at an elevation of 4225 m and divided into five sub-lakes.

• All together, it covers an area of 604 km². During winter, the lake freezes completely, despite being saline water.

. This lake is to be identified under the Ramsar Convention as a Wetland of international importance.

. It found fame after the film '3 Idiots' where it is shown. It is a disputed territory between India and China in the Line of Control.

Khardung-La Pass

• This pass is a gateway to the Nubra as well as Shyok valley and is one of the most elevated motorable terrains worldwide.

Interestingly, the roads were opened only in 1988 for vehicles to pass through.

• One can experience the rugged beauty of nature while travelling through the pass.

Phyang Monastery

This Buddhist monastery is located at the top of the Phyang hill, about 17 km West of Leh district.

• Its initial name was Tashi Chozong which was founded in 1515 AD.

. This monastry led the formation of Monastic Community which started Digung teachings under the guidance of Skyoba Jigsten Gonbo.

. It also has a museum which has Idols, colourful Thangkas (Tibetan Buddhist paintings) and ancient weapons.

Gang-Sngon Tsedup festival is celebrated here in the first month of the Tibetan calendar. 

Stok Monastery and Palace

. It is located 15 km South of Leh district. It was founded in the 14th Century by Lama Lhawang Lotus.

. It has notable Library including all 108 Volumesbof the Kangjur (sacred books). A ritual mask dance is held annually in the first month of the Tibetan calendar.

• It was used for some time as a residence by Ladakh royalty. 

Namgyal Tsemo Gompas

. It is a lovely monastery set in the coarse background of the snow-capped Himalayas in the Leh district.

. It has the view of rough terrains and lovely snow clad mountain tops.

. It was founded in 1430 by King Tashi Namgyal of Ladakh.

It has a three-storey high gold statue of Maitreya Buddha and ancient manuscripts and frescoes. It is situated near Tsemo Castle.

Shey Palace and Monastery

• The Shey Monastery or Gompa and the Shey Palace complex are situated in Shey village, South of Leh district.

The palace was built by the King of Ladakh, Deldan Namgyal, as a memorial of his father in 1655 AD.

• It was used as a Summer Retreat by the Kings of Ladakh. The monastery is noted for its giant statue of Shakyamuni Buddha plated with copper and gold. 

This monastery organises two grand celebrations every year, one is Shey Loo Doo during the start of sowing season and the other is Shey Rupla in the harvest season.

Thiksey Monastery

. It is considered as one of the most beautiful Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh. It gives us an idea about some of the Buddhist culture, lifestyle, scriptures, statues and even paintings.

• The monastery is located at an altitude of 3600 metres. It is a twelve storey complex and houses many items of Buddhist arts.

Diskit Monastery

. It is the oldest and largest Buddhist Monastery (Gompa) in the Nubra Valley of Ladakh.

The monastery has a statue of Cho Rinpoche (Crowned Buddha) in the prayer hall, a huge drum and several images of Fierce Guardian deities.  

The monastery administration runs a school with the support of an NGO named 'Tibet Support Group'.

A popular festival 'Dosmoche' or 'Festival of the Scapegoat' is held every year in February which is largely attended by the people from the Nubra Valley.

Takthok Gompa

• It is famous for the amazing architectural styles and rocky walls and the holy throne of his holiness Dalai Lama. More than 55 Lamas reside in this Gompa.

The 108 volumes of Kandshur teachings of Buddha are preserved here. It is the only Nyingma monastery in Ladakh.

• The wall of the Gompa is decorated with Mural of Padmasambhava (who meditated here in the 8th Century) and Sakyamuni.

Spituk Monastery

• It is located 8 km away from Leh district. It was founded in 11th Century by Od-De, the elder l brother of Lha Lama Changchub Od.

The monastery contains 150 Monks and a Principal Statue of Buddha. This monastery organises sacred dances of Gustor festival in the 11th month of the Tibetan calendar. Stok, Saboo and Sankar monastries are its branches.

Some Other Tourist Places of Ladakh

SASPOL CAVES - Leh

Rock-cut temples show Buddhist deities of 13th 15th centuries.

NIMMU VALLEY - LEH

It is located at the confluence of Indus and Zanskar rivers. Zanskar Gorge is a dream destination for trekkers.

MAGNETIC HILL - Leh

It is located at a height of 14,000 feet above the mean sea level. It is located 30 km from Leh. It is a gravity hill that is considered to have strong magnetic properties that pull cars uphill.

Maravion mission church - Leh valley

It was established in the year 1886 by Moravian Missionaries who came from East Germany. The church also runs a school, thousand of students from different communities attend this school.

Gurudwara pathar sahib - 25 miles away from leh

It was built in 1517 AD to commemorate the visit to Ladakh of Guru Nanak Dev Ji.

Jamia masjid - leh

It was built by an agreement between the Ladakh ruler Deldan Namgyal and the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1666-67 AD. It is the biggest Masjid in Ladakh region.

Royal leh palace- Top of Tsemo Hill

Built of stones, wood, mud and sand, the 9-storey palace has some beautiful artistic ruins in display to let tourists see how the royals lived. 

Hall of fame museum - Leh kargil road 

It was built by the Indian Army in 1986 in the memory of the brave Indian Soldiers who lost their lives in the Indo-Pak War.

Drass - 60 kms away from kargil

It is also known as the Gateway of Ladakh. It is the coldest inhabited place in India and second coldest inhabited place in the world after Siberia.

St. Peter's catholic church- Leh valley

A lovely church which is a home to a family who does all the maintenance and takes care of the church.

Suru valley - Kargil

It is drained by the Suru river, tributary of the Indus river. It is very famous for its scenic beauty. There are many picnic spots, viz, Damsna, Parkachik, Sangra, Umba Namsuru, etc. Despite potential, tourism activity is very limited in the valley.