Places To Visit In Leh Town And It's Vicinity

Tripoto
12th Feb 2020
Photo of Places To Visit In Leh Town And It's Vicinity by Bhagwan Das
Day 1

An introduction to Leh

When most of the limelight goes to Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri or Nubra Valley, The small city of Leh has in its vicinity some of best kept secrets of Ladakh. While the Indus flows through it, Leh overlooks Stok Kangri on one side and Khardung La on other. Leh is the largest town of Ladakh region, it is also the administrative headquarters too. There are plenty of tourist attractions in and around Leh which are a must visit. Be it Leh Palace with a bird's eye view of Leh town or a sunset from Shanti Stupa, anything or everything about Leh is magnificent. 

One of the best adventure destinations of India, probably the best place for road trips, Leh is just not about rugged mountains and vast landscapes. Leh is also about the culture of Ladakh, People of Ladakh, monasteries of Ladakh and Homes of Ladakh. 

Place to visit in and around Leh

Leh Palace:
One of the most iconic things of Leh town is the Leh Palace built in the 17th century by the King of Ladakh, Dengge Namgyal. Who used it as the royal residence until the Dogra army took over Ladakh and The royal family was shifted to Stok Palace. Overlooking the town of Leh, Leh Palace offers a panoramic view of Stok Range in front and Khardung La, one of the highest motorable passes in the world, and Ladakh range rises from behind.

Some parts of the Palace may be in ruins now but a major part of it has been converted into a museum. The museum is home to various artifacts which reflects a lot about the traditions, life and culture of Ladakh. A vast collection of ancient jewellery, ornaments, ceremonial dresses and crowns. Resembling the Patola Palace of Lhasa, Leh Palace is a great example of Buddhist architecture.

Tsemo Castle:
Tsemo castle is located further up Leh Palace. It was built by the king Tashi in 15th century. To reach Tsemo Castle one would need to cover a 20 minute zig zag walk to the top of the cliff. While the castle itself does not have much to offer but the view from the top of the castle is mesmerising. It is one of the best places to capture Leh and surrounding mountain ranges.

Namgyal Tsemo Monastery:
Located on the same cliff as Leh Palace and Tsemo castle, Namgyal Tsemo Monastery is popularly known as Namgyal Gompa. The cliff that houses Namgyal Tsemo Monastery is home to Leh Palace and Tsemo castle also and this little hillock is called Khar.

General Zorawar Fort:
During the Dogra rule in Ladakh a fort was built higher on ridge by General Zorawar Singh, it is the same ridge which houses Leh Palace and Tsemo Castle. It was Dogra base in Ladakh region. This fort is also known as Riasi Fort. it is home to a mosque, a natural spring and a temple. A collection of coins, artifacts and stamps can be seen in displays here. Fort is accessible by road and a half an hour walk from Leh Bazaar can bring one up to the fort. 

Sankar Monastery:
On the way towards Khardung La , about 9 km out of Leh, Sankar Monastery can be reached by either drive or one can even trek to it but visiting hours are restricted to morning and evening hours.Evening walk is more beautiful as the place is well lit. one of the major attractions of this monastery is an impressive figure of Avalokitesvara with 1000 arms and heads, the Monastery is home to very fine paintings of Buddhist Tibetan calendars. Mandalas.

Shanti Stupa:
Built by a Japenesse Buddhist monk, Gyomyo Nakamura, in Changspa region region. Shanti Stupa is a white domed stupa located on top of a hillock. There are about 500 stairs to get up to Shanti Stupa. It is one of the best places in Leh to watch sunset and sunrise, offering a great panoramic view of surrounding mountains. 

Hall of Fame:
One of the must visit places of Leh, Hall of Fame is a museum built and maintained by Indian army. In memory of the great Indian soldiers who lost their lives fighting wars with Pakistan and China, also during the cloud burst of 2010. In siachen glacier section, one can find a lot of stories about the bravery of soldiers in extreme conditions. Some artifacts related to1999 Kargil war are on display, too. A 30minute film explains a lot about Kargil war. 

Jama Masjid:
Jama Masjid in Leh is a historical mosque built in the year 1666-67 and it has been reconstructed several times after that. This mosque was built as a token of agreement between King of Ladakh, Deldon Namgyal and Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Agreement was to provide protection to Ladakh in return for a small fee. This mosque is noted for the Shahi Hamdan Memorial, built in memories of Syed Ali Hamdani, a Sufi Saint. It is also the biggest mosque in Ladakh region.

Basgo Palace / Monastery:
Around 40 km from Leh is this small, picturesque village of Basgo, In ancient times this village was considered as cultural and political center of Ladakh region. Ancient Basgo Palace is also home to Basgo Monastery. The Palace is said to be built around the 15th century but monastery is said to be much older than that. 

Gurudwara Patthar Sahib:
Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is located 25km from Leh on the Srinagar Leh Highway. It was built in 1517 to commemorate Guru Nanak’s ladakh visit. There are two stones at display here which are said to have imprint of Guru Nanak and the demon he encountered here.

Magnetic Hill:
The most well-known area of Ladakh region, Magnetic Hill. The common belief is that this place has some kind of supernatural phenomenon and there is magnetic power which pulls any vehicle uphill even with engine turned off. But the fact and reality is very different from this. Magnetic hill is just an optical illusion created by the fact that we can not see the horizon from this place, this makes descending vehicles look like there are ascending. 

Nevertheless an optical illusion or some supernatural magnetic power, It is one of the must visit places of Ladakh. Magnetic Hill is located about 27km from Leh towards kargil on Leh Srinagar Highway. Road conditions in these parts are excellent, It won't take more than a couple of hours to make a trip to magnetic hill from Leh and be back in Leh. 

Indus and Zanskar rivers confluence:
Famously known as Sangam, The confluence of Zanskar and Indus rivers is right before a small village called, Nimoo. The view from the road gives a bird's eye view of Sangam. Two of the major rivers of Ladakh region meet, one with the muddy waters and other one with the crystal clear water. It is one of the most photographed spots in Ladakh.

Shey Palace:
The Shey palace which was once used as summer retreat of Royals of Ladakh. Distance of Shey Palace from Leh is just 15 kilometers on Leh Manali Highway. The palace was built in 1655 in Shey village.

Shey Monastery:
Along with Shey Palace, Shey monastery was built in 1655. The monastery is in the Palace premises. Main attraction of Shey monastery is a gold gilded copper statue of Shakyamuni Buddha.

Thiksey Monastery:
Thiksey monastery is built on top of a hill in Thiksey village, distance of Thiksey village from Leh is 20 Kilometers. It is by far the largest gompa in central valley of Ladakh region. Thiksey monastery is home to some of the best artifacts of Tibetan Buddhist culture of Ladakh, such as stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings, swords, and a 15 metres (49 ft) high statue of Maitreya. The statue is largest in ladakh.

Hemis Monastery:
Hemis monastery was built by king of Ladakh, Senge Nampar Gyalva, in 1672 in a small village called Hemis. Leh to Hemis distance is 40 kilometers. Best time to visit Hemis monastery would be during the colourful festival of Hemis village which is held in July every year. Hemis village is the gateway to the Hemis National Park which is home to the elusive snow leopard.

Stakna Monastery:
The word “Stakna” refers to Tiger’s nose in Ladakhi language. The monastery is built on a hill which resembles the eye of the tiger. Leh to Stakna distance is 21 kilometers. The Stakna monastery was built in the 16th century. Main attraction of monastery is a sacred Arya Avalokitesvara statue from kamrup, Assam.

Matho Monastery:
Directly opposite to the Stakna, Matho monastery is known for the great collection of Thangkas which are said to be from the 14th century. Leh to Matho distance is 26 Kilometers.

Stok Palace:
About 17 kilometers from leh town, Stok village is home to Stok Palace which was used as the residence of the royal family of ladakh after Dogra armies took over the Leh Palace. It is current residence of Royals of Ladakh. The Palace is home to a museum as well. The museum holds the shrine, crown, ceremonial dresses and jewelleries of Ladakhi king.

Stok Monastery:
Stok monastery is 2 km from Stok Palace. Stok monastery was built in the 14th century. Main attractions of the monastery are all 108 volumes of the Kangyur, a 71 feet tall seated Buddha statue. The monastery house an annual mask dance festival.

Spituk Monastery:
Also known as Spituk Gompa or Pethup Gompa, Spituk monastery is located around 8 kilometers from Leh town. During the annual Spituk festival a giant statue of Kali is unveiled.. 

Sindhu Ghat:
Sindhu ghat is a peaceful river bank located 10 kilometer for Leh near Shey village. It is a good place to spend some peaceful time and get great sunset views. An annual 3 days festival known as Sindhu Darshanfestival is organized here.

Daatun Sahib:
Right behind the Jama Masjid in Leh market, Datun Sahib is a Meswak tree which is believed to be planted by Guru Nanak during his visit to Leh in the year 1516.

Leh Palace

Photo of Leh by Bhagwan Das
Photo of Leh by Bhagwan Das