Sights

Shey Palace

Ladakh view

Shey  built in 1645 as a summer residence for the kings of Ladakh, is the oldest palace in Ladakh. The gompa houses a gilded copper two-story image of the seated Buddha.    

Leh Palace

Leh Castle and flags
photo by: Nick Jordan

Leh Palace is a nine storey structure built in the 17'th Century by Ladakh ruler of the time, Sengge Namgyal.  The palace towers over the regional capital like a smaller version of the Potala in Lhasa, and provides stunning views across the valleys and to the mountains south of the capital.

Leh palace was eventually vacated when the King and Queen built and moved to Stok palace, which is around 10 miles away on the Southern side of the Indus. 

Shows of traditional dancing and singing are put on in the palace grounds in the more..

Leh Japanese Monastery

The Japanese Monastry perches on a mountain to the west of Leh. Built in the 20th Century its style is in contrast to other monasteries that you'll see in the area. That said it has a pleasing symmetery and the 25 square meter platform that hangs over the valley side makes an incredible viewing area, especially in the morning.

Sometimes you can find monks giving classes to school children on the viewing platform, framed by the 6000m+ mountains  to the south.

A breathtaking view and as is the case with most things in Leh, the walk to the monastery shouldn't be more..