You’re in Leh embraced by its beauty and charm. Basking in nature and serenity. Falling in love with its rustic exquisiteness. But now enough admired, its time to get out and explore the fun side of this tranquil town.
Read on to find out more about the fun sight-seeing spots you must visit when in Leh.
Monastry
Leh Palace, Namgyal Tsemo Hill
The nine-storey high Leh Palace is one magnificent edifice, which was built by King Sengge Namgyal in the 17th century with an uncanny resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. With the Ladakh mountain range as its backdrop towards the north, the Leh Palace is an architectural marvel that opens up sprawling views of the entire town and its surrounding areas from the rooftop.
Further up from the Leh Palace, the Namgyal Tsemo Hill rises over it like a kingly ceremonial headgear and is the resting ground for an ancient fort ruin. This fort is said to have been the earliest royal residence of the Namgyal dynasty and is flanked by some temples built in veneration of the guardian deities.
Excursion to Khardung La Top
Khardung La or Khardung Pass – a much romanticized high altitude adventure trail – happens to be the gateway to Nubra and Shyok Valleys. Standing proud at an altitude of 5359 meters (17,582 feet), contrary to the signage and the local voice claiming it to be 5602 meters (18,380 feet) high, Khardung Pass is the road that’s sporadically trod by adventure-streaked bikers. Known by locals as Khardong La and even Khardzong La, it has a mesmerizing effect on people who visit it. So much so that sometimes tourists hang around patiently for days, waiting for the accursed road-blocking snow to shy away and leave the stage for some breathtaking tripping.
Shanti Stupa
This is an astonishingly unique structure that rests at an altitude of 4,267 meters (14,000 feet) on a hilltop in Changspa village, about 5 kilometers (3.1 miles) from Leh. Overlooking the Leh Palace from the steep hill (which can be reached by treading 500 steps), the white domed structure heralds the spread of a noble spiritual effort that began way back in 1914 in Japan.
Choglamsar SOS Village, Stok Palace
The SOS Tibetan children’s village (TCV), a milestone achievement and an enthusiastic foray into social development, is an institutional effort at spreading child education initiated through a joint collaboration of his Holiness the Dalai Lama and the Indian Govt.
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