Historical places in Leh Ladakh such as monasteries and forts are largely perched on heavenly mountain peaks and near serene mountain passes. If you’re looking for the most stunning experience, visit these monasteries, palaces, castles, and museums when they have their festivals taking place – you’ll have an unforgettable experience witnessing the true beauty of tradition and culture which tie Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhism to Indian roots.
You need to be sure that a barren land is not all that Ladakh is! Apart from historical places, you can find the purest forms of nature here. Natural bounties, such as lush green pastures and picturesque lakes like Pangong Tso, adorn Ladakh in a charming way. Its beautiful, magical and awe-inspiring landscape makes this cold desert an extraordinary place to visit.
It is advisable that you first determine the best time of year to make your journey. The best months for Leh Ladakh tour are generally from April to July during the summer season. Check some of the best historical places to visit in Leh Ladakh in this article.
Leh Palace
You can enjoy the beautiful views of the entire Leh Valley and the Zanskar mountain range from here. It is also possible to view the sunsets and sunrises from the top of this magnificent palace. Make sure you visit it between 7:00 AM and 4:00 PM, because it is open at this specific time only.
Built in 1553 and completed in the 17th century, imagine the kind of history you can unravel there! Leh Palace is known for its Medieval Tibetan Architecture and is also known as the centre of Buddhist culture. The best time to visit this famous palace is from April to September.
Highlights of Leh Palace –
- A vast collection of crowns
- ● Wood carved figurines interiors
- Panoramic views of mountain ranges
- Tibetan Paintings
- Ceremonial dresses and jewellery
Chuterantak
Chuterantak, known among the locals as the baker’s street, smells like freshly baked bread as soon as you enter. The Kandur (traditional earthen oven) is the place to buy freshly baked Kashmiri bread.
Apart from Chuterantak, there are a lot of small traditional buildings at the foot of the Leh palace that will transport you back in time. Take some nice photos of the surroundings along this quaint, narrow street to discover the history of Ladakh.
Central Asian Museum
The four-storey tapered stone tower is one of Leh’s most striking buildings, constructed on the site of a former caravan camp and modelled after a historic Lhasa mansion. In addition to rooms devoted to Ladakh, Chinese Turkestan, and Tibet, the museum examines Leh’s role in the Silk Road trade.
A courtyard surrounds the museum, which houses Leh’s oldest mosque and a traditional Ladakhi show kitchen where you can order lunch. You can enter through a side alley near the SBI Bank ATM on Main Bazaar, or through Chutey Rantak side street, where you will see bakers and a 500-year-old sacred tree called Datun Sahib.
Gompa Soma
Of the four temples that are considered part of the Leh palace complex, Soma Gompa is the easiest to find. A part of it is located just below the palace’s entrance, next to an open courtyard that used to be the palace’s stables.
Even though it is easy to locate the gompa, accessing its interior might be more difficult. Like all the temples near the palace, their opening hours are sporadic and random. Located directly below the crumbling old town of Leh, the new temple is far more accessible to Leh’s growing population, which has left the crumbling old town.
Namgyal Tsemo Gompa
A popular attraction in Leh district, the Namgyal Tsemo Monastery was founded by King Tashi Namgyal in 1430 CE. Namgyal Tsemo Gompa, located on the Namgyal Hill, is best known for its solid gold statue of Maitreya Buddha, which stands three stories high. Indus-flowing rivers, the snow-covered Zanskar mountain range, and beautiful countryside can be seen from the monastery.
The King had the gompa built above his palace as a sign of respect for Buddha and Buddhism. The monastery is also home to an assembly hall and a temple with frescoes, paintings and Buddha statues beside the gold statue. The museum displays several ancient manuscripts of religious and historic significance. As a result of its uncomplicated and scenic location, its popularity has grown.
