The beauty of the Leh Ladhak is beyond imagination. It cannot be described in words. This is a unique place in the world with many top attractions. The attractions in Leh Ladhak are historical places, Buddhist monasteries, high-altitude passes, lakes, valleys, rivers, mountains, and deserts. All these things in one place are very rare. But Leh Ladhak got it. Are you planning a trip to Leh Ladhak in India? But facing the difficulties of what are the best places to visit? Do not worry. Here is the list of the best places to visit in Leh Ladhak for a memorable experience.
Shanti Stupa
Shanti Stupa is a Buddhist white-domed stupa. It is located at Chandspa, Shanti Stupa Road, Leh district, Jammu, and Kashmir. This stupa was built in 1991 by the Japanese Buddhist Monk Gyomyo Nakamura to promote peace and prosperity among people. It is one of the major tourist attractions in Leh. There are 500 steps in Shanti Stupa so think twice before climbing the steps. The distance of Shanti Stupa from Leh city is 4 km. It is located at an elevation of 11,841 feet above sea level and offers beautiful views of Leh. There are no entry fees to enter the stupa.
Leh Palace
Leh palace is also known as Lachen Palkar Palace. It was a former royal palace overlooking the city of Leh. The palace is located on the top of Namgyal Hill, Leh, Jammu, and Kashmir, India. The palace was built by King Singe Namgyal. Now the palace is a museum of the rich collections of jewelry, ornaments, ceremonial dresses, and crowns of the royal families. The architecture of the Leh palace draws inspiration from the Potala palace of Lhasa with Tibetan style. The distance between Leh palace to Shanti Stupa is approximately 4 km. The time of the palace is from 7.00 am to 4.00 pm.
Thiksey Monastery
Thiksey Monastery or Thiksey Gompa is a Buddhist Temple located on the top of the hill Thiksey on Leh Manali Highway, Jammu, and Kashmir. It is affiliated with the Gelug section of Tibetan Buddhism. It is the largest monastery in Central Ladhak. The monastery offers accommodation and food to visitors at an affordable price. The distance of Thiksey monastery from Leh is 19 km. There is a library and learning center related to Buddhism. The timing of the Thiksey monastery is from 7.00 am to 7.00 pm. Thiksey Gustor festival is celebrated every year on the 18th and 19th of the ninth month of the Tibetan calendar.
Hemis Monastery
Hemis Monastery is a Himalayan Buddhist Monastery of the Drukpa Lineage in Hemis, Ladhak, India. It is situated 45 km from Leh. The founder of the Hemis Monastery is Sengge Namgyal. Hemi Gompa Fair is celebrated for 2 days as the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. It is believed that Rinpoche is the reincarnation of Lord Buddha. The Hemi festival is celebrated in honor of Padmasambhava also known as Guru Rinpoche. It is the richest and largest monastery in Ladhak. The Hemis monastery is located at an altitude of 12000 feet.
Namgyal Tsemo Monastery
Namgyal Tsemo Monastery is a Buddhist monastery in Leh District, Ladhak. The monastery is famous for its three-storied high solid gold idol of Maitreya Buddha. This monastery was founded in 1430 by King Tashi Namgyal. It is a very beautiful and peaceful monastery located just above the Leh palace and close to the Leh market. It offers a wonderful view of Leh city. The timing of the monastery is from 7.00 am to 9.00 am and 5.00 pm to 8.00 pm.
Khardung La
Khardung La pass is a mountain pass in the Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir. It is the highest motorable road in the world. The pass connects the Indus River Valley and the Shayok River Valley. It is also the gateway to the Numbra valley and Shayok river valley. The height of the Khardung La is 17, 582 feet. The distance of khardung La pass from Leh is 40 km. Khardung La pass starts to witness snowfall in mid-September and therefore it remains blocked for October.
Pangong Tso
Pangong Tso or Pangong lake is a high-altitude lake in Ladhak. It is situated at an altitude of 4225 meters. The length of the lake is 134 km and is divided into 5 sub lakes. The depth of the lake is approximately 100 meters. It is the world’s highest saltwater lake. One-third of part the lake lies in India while two third in China. This lake completely freezes in the winter season. The lake is famous for its color-changing water from blue to red and green. The temperature during nighttime drops to below 5 degrees Celsius. It is one of the most visited places in Ladhak.
Magnetic Hill
Magnetic Hill is a gravity hill located in Ladhak. The road on the magnetic hill is a downhill road. But vehicles on the road may appear to roll uphill in defiance of gravity. Actually, the hill does not have a magnetic force. Magnetic hill is located on the Leh – Kargil – Srinagar highway in the Trans Himalayan region. The distance of the magnetic hill from Leh is 30 km. The height of the magnetic hill is 14, 000 feet.
Numbra Valley
Numbra or sometimes it is called Dumbra is a historical region of Ladhak. Numbra valley is famous for its high-altitude cold desert in Hunger village. The valley is known for its orchards, scenic vistas, Bactrian camel, and lofty mountains. The two rivers Shyok and Siachen river meet here. The height of the Numbra valley is 10,000 feet above sea level. You can see the milky way galaxies in the night sky from Numbra valley. It is the most famous spot to stargaze in Leh Ladhak. April to June and September to October is the best time to visit Numbra valley.
TSO Moriri
TSO Moriri or Lake Moriri or Mountain Lake is in the Changthang plateau of Ladhak, India. The length of the lake is 19 km and the depth is 344 feet. It is one of the most beautiful, calm, and sacred high-altitude lakes in India. The lake is situated at a height of 14,835 feet from sea level and 240 km from Leh. The lake covers an area of 120 km square meters. TSO Moriri to Spiti valley (Kibbar) trek is a nice trek for adventure seekers. This lake is less popular as compared to Pangong lake.
Diskit Gompa
Diskit is a village in the Leh district of Ladhak. Diskit Gompa or Diskit Monastery is the oldest and largest Buddhist monastery in Ladhak with Tibetan Architecture. There is 106 feet high Maitreya Buddha statue. It is a major tourist attraction in Numbra Valley. The Diskit monastery is situated at an altitude of 10300 feet from sea level. The distance between Diskit to Turtuk village is 22 km. The weather in Diskit is cold and pleasant throughout the year. The Pin code of Diskit is 194401.
Gurudwara Pathar Sahib
Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is a Gurudwara. The history of the Gurudwara is that from 1515 to 18 when Guru Nanak was returning to Punjab via Srinagar after traveling to Sikkim, Nepal, and Tibet had rested at this place. The beautiful Gurudwara was built in memory of Guru Nanak Ji. Many soldiers pray there and offer lunger every day for everywhere. Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is located at an altitude of 12,000 feet from sea level.
Alchi Monastery
Alchi Monastery or Alchi Gompa is a basically monastic complex (Choskhor) located in Alchi village in the Leh district. This monastery has Tibetan Architecture. The complex has a high statue of Buddha and elaborate wood carving. There are some of the oldest surviving paintings in this monastery. This is one of the oldest monasteries built in the 10th century. This monastery is located at a distance of 65 km from Leh on the bank of the Indus River.
Hemis National Park
Hemis National Park is a high-elevation park in Ladhak, India. This park is globally famous for snow leopards. The park is spread over an area of 4400 square meters. It is located in the eastern part of Ladhak district in Jammu and Kashmir, India. Hemis National Park is the largest national park in India. Hemis National Park permits walking safari and camping inside. No motor vehicle is allowed inside the park.
Zanskar
Zanskar is a region in Asia. Zanskar range is a mountain range in the Union Territory of Ladhak. It is located at an altitude of 25,464 feet from sea level. Zanskar is famous for its unique Chadar Trek or the Frozen River Trek. The other famous treks in Zanskar are Padum – Darcha Trek, the Lugnak Trail Trek, and the Zanskar Shyam Valley Trek. The distance between Zanskar from Leh is 105 km. There are three monasteries in Zanskar namely Karsha Monastery, Phuktal Gompa, and Sani monastery. Zanskar River is the first major tributary of the Indus River.
Hall of Fame
Hall of Fame is a museum in Leh run by the Indian Army. It has a collection of weapons, history exhibits, and a souvenir shop. It was built to tribute the Indian Armed forces and the soldiers who have protected the strategic border of Kashmir valley shared by India, Pakistan, and China. It is the place to feel proud. The time of the Hall of Fame is from 9.00 am to 1.00 pm and 2.00 pm to 7.00 pm. The major attraction of the Hall of Fame is commenting on the light and sound show of various battles fought.
Kargil War Memorial
Kargil is a city and joint capital of the Union Territory of Ladhak, India. It is located at an altitude of 2,676 meters from sea level. This is a famous historical place in India. The Kargil War was fought between India and Pakistan from May to June 1999 in the Kargil district of Jammu and Kashmir. The Kargil War memorial was built by the Indian Army in Dras near Kargil city. It is a major tourist attraction. It is the place to pay respect to the brave soldiers who sacrifice their lives to protect the country. The time of the memorial is from 9.00 am to 8.30 pm.
Turtuk Village
Turtuk is a small village located in the Numbra valley of Ladhak. Turtuk is a beautiful gem situated on the bank of River Shyok. This tiny Baltistan Village is India’s last village on India Pakistan border. It was under Pakistan before 1971. The Indian army captured Turtuk in the 1971 war. It is also the gateway to the Siachen Glacier. It is situated at an altitude of 9846 feet from sea level. The village is reachable by road. The distance between Turtuk and Leh is 205 km. Turtuk is known for its varieties of fruits like apricots. It is a worth visiting place.
Padum Village
Pudum is the only town and administrative center in Zanskar, Kargil district of India. The name Pudum is named after Padmasambhava. It is situated at an altitude of 3669 meters from sea level. The distance between Padum from Kargil is 240 km. The distance between Padum and Leh via Lingshed is 320 km. Zongkhul monastery is about 17 km from Padum in Stod valley. It has scenic beauty, Spartan splendors, and decent restaurants. The distance between Padum and Lamayuru is 210 km.
Karzok Village
Karzok or Korzok is a village in the Leh district of Ladhak, India. It is located at an altitude of 15,075 feet from sea level. It is among the highest town in the world and the highest settlement in India. It is very close to Nyoma in the Rupshu region and a block on the shore of Moriri lake. Karzok is an impact Crater located on the east slope of Olympus Mons on Mars. This crater was named after this village. Karzok Crater is 15.6 km in diameter.
Leh Main Market
Leh Main Market is one of the top tourist attractions in Leh. The market is divided into many small pathways and streets. The market sells garments, artifacts, spices, food, Tibetan handicrafts, jewelry, woolen clothes, and groceries. This is the best place for shopping. Along with shopping, there are eateries items also. The market is open from 9 am to 7 pm. Moti Market is the oldest market in Leh.
I hope this information will be useful to you for planning a trip to Leh Ladhak in India.
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