Must-see attractions in Ladakh

  • Saspol Chamba

    Ladakh

    Almost opposite the small SBI Bank (not the ATM, which is 200m further east), a small shop hides the entrance to an unexpectedly impressive trio of 5m…

  • Guru Lhakhang

    Leh

    Restored in 2004 but often locked, this 17th-century shrine to Padmasambhava sits on the edge of the Old Town palace ridge, directly below the palace and…

  • Chokhang Vihara

    Leh

    With its coppiced willows, the large courtyard of this 20th-century temple offers an oasis of relatively meditative calm just steps from the bustle of…

  • Sumdha Chun Temple

    Ladakh

    The remote monastery at tiny Sumdha Chun boasts some splendid Alchi-style carvings that are directly linked to Tibet's 'Great Translator' Ringchen Zangpo.

  • Tangtse Gompa

    Ladakh

    The vast majority of tourists zipping between Leh and Pangong Tso drive straight past this small but charming monastery, home to the venerated 'talking…

  • Shargol Gompa

    Ladakh

    Built memorably into a cliff face, little Shargol Gompa's minuscule prayer chamber is lit by a single flickering butter lamp. To access the site from the…

  • Chamba Lhakhang

    Leh

    The early 15th-century Chamba Lhakhang was one of a trio of Maitreya ('future Buddha') temples built in Leh by King Draspa Bum-lde. The obvious…

  • Rizong Gompa

    Ladakh

    Stepped handsomely within a hidden amphitheatre of rocky cliff, this lonely but much-revered little 19th-century monastery is famous for its code of…

  • Nezer Latho

    Leh

    This mysterious whitewashed cube is the shrine of Leh’s guardian deity. While not much to see in itself, its rocky outcrop setting offers superb 360…

  • Rgyal Gompa

    Ladakh

    This intriguing little monastery includes troglodyte cell rooms tucked improbably into pillars of unstable-looking composite rocks. It's backed against a…

  • Gonpa Village

    Leh

    Well off the radar of most visitors, this photogenic knot of traditional houses and minor Buddhist monuments 4km north of central Leh makes for a good…

  • Thiksey Gompa Museum

    Ladakh

    The museum is unmarked and hidden away beneath the monastery restaurant; staff should be able to unlock it. Displays include well-labelled Tantric…

  • Stok Gompa

    Ladakh

    Around 2km south of the palace, Stok's small monastery has some crumbling old stupas, but the dominant feature, 200m above, is its huge 21m-tall gilded…

  • Ladakh Rocks & Minerals Museum

    Leh

    This sweet one-room museum outside Sankar Gompa presents labelled examples of Ladakh's geological curiosities, including a natural lingam (phallic image…

  • Tsemo Gompa

    Leh

    Namgyal Tsemo Gompa consists of two little 15th-century temple buildings directly beneath the Tsemo Fort ruins. One enshrines an 8m-tall gold-faced…

  • Maney Tsermo

    Leh

    This group of ancient stupas is an old town landmark reached from the northeastern corner of the polo ground. Join the pilgrims on a kora (clockwise walk)…

  • Sakti Dzong

    Ladakh

    The extensive ruins of Sakti's old stone dzong (fortress) add a touch of intrigue to the landscape as you drive past en route to the Chang La and Pangong…

  • Buddha Carvings

    Ladakh

    Just by the roadside, as you round a sharp corner, a group of five ancient carved Dhyani Buddhas stand carved into the rock, 200m before the palace…

  • Druk Padma Karpo School

    Ladakh

    Though best known for its cameo role in the popular Bollywood film 3 Idiots, this school of more than 700 students has an interesting campus of prize…

  • Shooting Point

    Ladakh

    Although there are numerous places to gaze at the ever-changing lake-scapes, one particular sand spit enclosing a mini-lagoon draws numerous Indian…

  • Stok Abagon

    Ladakh

    Across from Stok Palace, a short alley leads to the 350-year-old Stok Abagon, the decrepit former home of the royal physician, with a few dusty displays…

  • Chandazik Gompa

    Leh

    Till the 1950s, this temple was Leh's main Buddhist place of public worship. It features internal murals celebrating the pantheon of 1000 Buddhas, of…

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