Leh Palace
A miniature version of the Potala in Lhasa, the Leh Palace is one of the major attractions here. The palace was built in the 17th century and is now dilapidated and deserted. It was the home of the royal family until they were exiled to Stok in the 1830s. Above the palace, at the top of the Namgyal hill, is the Victory Tower, built to commemorate Ladakh's victory over the Balti Kashmir armies in the early 16th century.
The Namgyal Tsemo Gompa
Built in 1430, it consists of a three-story high Buddha image and ancient manuscripts and frescoes. The fort above this gompa is ruined, but the views of Leh from here are breathtakingly beautiful.
Sankar Gompa
The Sankar gompa is located a couple of kilometers north of the town center. The gompa belongs to the Gelukpa order and has an impression of the Buddhist deity Avalokiteshwara Padmahari or Chenresig.
Shanti Stupa
The Shanti Stupa was built by a Japanese order and was opened by the Dalai Lama in 1985. One can view the exotic locales nearby from here. The stupa is located at a distance of 3 km from the Fort Road.
Alchi Gompa
Seventy kilometers from Leh, on the banks of river Indus, is the Alchi gompa dating back to the 11th century. It is a famous monastery with a widely renowned collection of paintings.
Hemis Gompa
At a distance of 45 km south of Leh, Hemis is one of the biggest gompas in Ladakh. Built in 1630, it belongs to the red sect, Brokpa.
Ruins of Leh Gompa Matho Gompa
Situated on the opposite bank of the Indus across Thikse, the Matho gompa was established in the first half of the 16th century and has a valuable collection of old and beautiful thangkas, some in the form of 'mandalas.' Its annual festival of oracles in early March is an important event in the Ladakhi religious calendar.
Shey Gompa
Until the 16th century, the Shey gompa was the royal residence. It is located at a distance of 15 km south of Leh. This Palace Monastery has the largest statue of Maitreya Buddha (the Buddha to come) in Ladakh.
Spituk Gompa
At a distance of 8 km from Leh, standing majestically on top of a hillock overlooking the Indus Valley, lies the Spituk Gompa. It was built in the 15th century and houses a collection of ancient masks, antique arms, icons and thangkas. Higher up the hill is the Mahakal Temple, containing the shrine of Vajrabhairava.
Hemis National Park
Hemis High-Altitude National Park in Leh is the largest high-altitude reserve of India. This is a place worth visiting.
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