Leh, the capital of Ladakh, has been an important junction on the famous Silk Route of the olden times. It is also the second largest district of the country spreading in an area of 45,110 sq km. Located at an altitude of 11,562 ft, the scenic destination is still dominated by the ruins of the Leh Palace (a major tourist attraction). The former residence of the royal family of Ladakh is built on the lines of the Potala Palace, Tibet. It boasts of being home to several known ancient Buddhist monasteries. It is one of the most-visited destinations in Ladakh and has a lot to offer.

Tourist Attractions
The biggest draw for visitors coming to Leh is the Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and historical monuments. The most impressive of all is the famous Shanti Stupa, located just outside the town. Besides Shanti Stupa, there is an 800 year old Kali Mandir which houses an exquisite collection of masks.
Then there is the 17th century Leh Palace, built in traditional Tibetan style, which offers breathtaking views of the town. Towards the southeast direction, there is the Thiksey monastery from where one can enjoy amazing views of the sunset. The Hemis monastery is the richest and oldest monastery in Ladakh.

Thiksey monastery
Thiksey monastery, painted in red, ochre and white, blends in well with the surrounding landscape. On first sight, you will be surprised with the strong resemblance it bears to Potala Palace in Lhasa in Tibet. Visiting the monastery, which houses several attractions within it, can be a rewarding experience. It offers excellent opportunities for sightseeing and exploration. If you have been planning a trip to Ladakh, then this Thiksey monastery travel guide will tell you all that you need to know about the monastery.

Shanti Stupa
Shanti Stupa is white-colored domed-shaped structure, located in Chandspa which looks extremely beautiful during night when it is illuminated. This peace pillar was built a ‘peace sect’ of Japanese Buddhist organization to celebrate the completion of 2500 years of Buddhism and for the promotion of world peace. It was inaugurated by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama in 1985. This pillar is known for its gilt panels depicting the life stories of Lord Buddha. It is just 5 kms away from the main city of Leh and is surrounded the traditionally built houses of the locals and snow-covered mountains.

Leh Palace
Leh Palace known as the ‘Lhachen Palkhar’ is a former royal palace of the Leh Kingdom. Located in Leh city. It is one of the biggest tourist attraction of Leh city. The 17th century Palace, Leh Palace is also one of the tallest buildings of its time with nine story’s. The palace provides spectacular views of Stok Kangri and the Ladakh mountain range as well as town and surroundings

Hemis Monastery
Hemis Monastery is a Tibetan monastery belonging to the Drukpa Lineage. Counted as one of the iconic monasteries in Ladakh, Hemis is perched on a mountain along the west bank of Indus River. People eagerly await to marvel at the numerous paintings or Thangkas that are carefully preserved here and are displayed on the famous Hemis Festival. A visit to the Hemis Monastery is one of the highlights of planning holidays in Ladakh

Location
The town is located towards the eastern side of Jammu and Kashmir, at an altitude of 3505 meters above sea level. The area is watered by the Zanskar river which flows into the Indus river. There are two routes to Leh- one from Manali in the south and another from Srinagar in the west.

Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Leh is between May to September, when the weather is quite genial. Since Ladakh doesn't experience heavy rainfall, therefore monsoon is the best time to visit this region.

How to Reach
There are flights to Leh from Delhi, Srinagar and Jammu on a regular basis. During the first few months of the year, when the snow gets melted, the roads to the town are open. For those interested in biking tour, they can use Manali-Leh highway and Srinagar-Leh highway from around June to October. One can also use bus, taxi and jeep services from here.