ABOUT LEH (LADAKH):

• Leh, the ancient capital of Ladakh region is perched at an altitude of 3,350 metres.
• Amidst starkly beautiful mountains, which gently blend into an oasis of lush fields.
• Breathtakingly beautiful town is laden with palace and monasteries.
• It was a flourishing caravan trade centre between Punjab and Central Asia and between Kashmir and Tibet.
• Today, Leh has emerged as an important tourist destination providing an unusual holiday.
• An ideal base for trekking, mountaineering, camping and white water rafting.
• Region of upper Indus Valley around Leh is the cultural heartland of Ladakh.
• Studded with a number of Buddhist monasteries (gompas) and magnificent palaces.

  

MODE OF COMMUNICATION:

• Airport: Srinagar International Airport, Srinagar (SXR), 400 kms away from Leh and Satwari Airport, Jammu (IXJ), 700 kms away from Leh.
• Rail: Jammu Tawi Railway Station, Jammu, 690 kms away from Leh.
• Road: The most exciting way of reaching Leh is by road from Srinagar (387 kms). It takes about 2 days’ time to reach Leh from Srinagar. Visitors normally rest for a night at Kargil (204 kms), which is the midway point. 

 

SIGHTSEEING AT A GLANCE:

SCENIC SITE	Changspa
HOLY CENTRE	Leh Monastery   Namgyal Tsemo   Leh Mosque   Shanti Stupa   Samkar Gomopa   Alchi Monastery   Hemis Monastery   Phiyang   Shey   Spituk Monastery   Thikse Monastery
FORT & MONUMENTS	Leh Palace   Namgyal Tsemo   Phiyang
WILD LIFE	Hemis High Altitude National Park
PLAY GROUND	Choglamsar
OTHERS	Ladakh Ecological Centre
FAIRS & FESTIVALS	Ladakh Festival Sindhu Darshan

For more information visit https://leh.nic.in/tourism/

 

ATTRACTIONS OF LEH (LADAKH)

 

Leh Palace:

• Nine storeyed majestic palace was built by Sengge Namgyal, the ruler of Ladakh during early 17^th century.
• It is said to have served as the model for the famous Patola Palace in Lhasa (Tibet)
• Within the palace are old wall paintings depicting the life of Lord Buddha.
• Small corridors have over 100 years old tanks or painted scrolls, statues and other armaments.

 

Leh Monastery:

• Perched high above the valley-crags.
• Dominates the palace and the town, symbolising the supremacy of the Spiritual King.
• Monastery has a solid golden statue of Buddha, painted scrolls, ancient manuscripts and wall paintings.

 

Namgyal Tsemo:

• Another hill rising above Leh town is occupied by a small fort and monastery complex of Namgyal Tsemo peak.
• Built in the 16^th century by King Tashi Namgyal and is believed to be the earliest royal residence in Leh.
• Nearby is a Gonkhang, the shrine of the guardian deities and a temple dedicated to Maitreya (the Future Buddha).
• Both the shrines house excellent murals.

 

Leh Mosque:

• Magnificent mosque is a fine example of Turko – Iranian architecture.

 

Ladakh Ecological Centre:

• It lies on the western edge of the town.
• Engaged in development of agriculture, solar energy, health and environmental awareness in the region.
• A small library and a shop selling local handicraft.

 

Shanti Stupa:

• Splendid Shanti Stupa or the “Peace Pagoda” atop a hill.
• Built in 1980, with the help of Japanese Buddhists.

 

Changspa:

• Settlement on the outskirts of Leh is known of its exotic scenic beauty and colourful bazar.
• Moravian church lies on the way to Changspa.

 

ATTRACTIONS AROUND LEH (LADAKH)

 

Samkar Gomopa:

• 3 kms away from Leh town.
• 19^th century monastery is the only one built on valley level.
• Seat of the yellow sect of the Buddhists and has a rich collection of miniature statues of pure gold and a number of wall paintings.

 

Choglamsar:

• 7 kms away from Leh town.
• The main Tibetan refugee settlement in Ladakh.
• Sporting activities like polo and golf can be enjoyed here.

 

Alchi Monastery:

• 70 kms away from Leh town.
• 12^th century gompa on the banks of Indus.
• One of the most beautiful gompas of Leh region.
• Alchi is famous for its exclusive wall paintings.

 

Hemis Monastery:

• 43 kms away from Leh town.
• Nestled atop a green hill is the biggest and wealthiest monastery of Ladakh.
• Built in 1630, during the reign of Sengge Namgyal.
• Masked dance performance is worth seeing during celebrations of the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava in June.
• Monastery has gold statues and stupas adorned with precious stones.
• A rich collection of tankas, including the largest tanka in Ladakh which is unfolded only once in every 12 years (Last displayed in 2004).

 

Hemis High Altitude National Park:

• 35 kms away from town.
• Unique Park covering an area of 600 sq. kms.
• Inhabited by some of the most exotic and endangered animal species like – shapu, bharal, ibex, snow leopard etc.

 

Phiyang:

• 20 kms away from Leh town on the Leh-Kargil road.
• Built by Tashi Namgyal in the later half of the 16^th century.
• Palace like gompa belongs to the Red Cap sect of the Buddhists.

 

Shey:

• 15 kms away from Leh town.
• Ancient capital of Ladakh is believed to have been the seat of power of the pre-Tibetan kings.
• Abandoned palace has a temple enshrining a 7.5 metre high copper statue of Buddha, plated with gold.
• Statue dates back to the 17^th century and is perhaps the largest of its kind.

 

Spituk Monastery:

• 8 kms away from Leh town.
• 15^th century monastery atop a hill is said to be the oldest establishment of Gelugpa sect in Ladakh.
• Built in Tibetan style and houses a library of Tsongkapa, the sects founder.

 

Thikse Monastery:

• 20 kms away from Leh town.
• One of the largest and architecturally the most impressive gompas in Ladakh.
• Monastery is mainly known for its exotic murals and wall paintings.