Snigdha TiwariLeh is one of the most beautiful and fascinating tourist destinations of India. It is a land of scenic beauty and amazing recreation that is surrounded by the highest mountain ranges in the world. Leh is blessed with beautiful landscapes, sky-kissing monuments, tranquil lakes, and evergreen forests which cast a magical scenic beauty.
Apart from that, Leh offers travelers plenty of recreational and adventurous activities like hiking, trekking, river rafting, polo, and archery to get engrossed with. The region is also surrounded by the alpine desert and beautiful landscapes. The dry barren landscape of Leh is full of historic Buddhist monasteries which gives it an incredible sight to behold. Leh’s Buddhist monasteries and historical monuments are the main attractions for travelers around the world.
The beauty of Leh is incomparable, and no other place can quite match the deep cloudless blue skies here, the barren, multi-colored mountains, the jewel-like lakes and the ancient Buddhist gompas (monasteries) of Ladakh making any travel lover must explore these stunning places.
Here are the 5 Beautiful Places To Visit In Leh.
1. Tso Gompa
Timings: 7 AM – 9 AM & 5 PM – 8 PM Entry Fee : INR 20 Time Required : 2 to 3 hrs
Founded in 1430 by King Tashi Namgyal of Ladakh, it has a three-story high gold statue of Maitreya Buddha and ancient manuscripts and frescoes. Tso Gompa is located on a hill right above the Leh Palace.
This mud-brick monastery, built in 1430, houses an 8m-high statue of Maitreya Buddha (the future Buddha). It can be accessed on foot from Leh Palace and there is also a road up to the gompa. The monastery offers a panoramic vista of the flowing Indus River, the snow-capped Zanskar range, and the surrounding countryside.
Besides offering mesmerizing views in its vicinity, the Tso Gompa also sites sacred scriptures and artistic watercolor paintings within. The monastery also has sculptures of Alokistesvara (also known as Padmapani) and Manjushri, both of which are revered elements of the Buddhist faith. This stunning monastery is a must-visit whenever you’re in Leh.
2. Shanti Stupa
Timings: 5 AM – 9 PM Entry Fee: No entry fee Time Required: 1-2 hrs
Built in 1991 by Japanese Buddhist Bhikshu, Gyomyo Nakamura, and part of the Peace Pagoda mission, Shanti Stupa is a Buddhist white-domed stupa on a hilltop in Chanspa. This white stupa located on a rocky hillock above Changspa was built by Japanese monks as a symbol of peace and unity.
The Shanti Stupa holds the relics of the Buddha at its base, enshrined by the 14th Dalai Lama. It is popular amongst tourists as it offers a sweeping view of Leh and the nearby Changspa village. Shanti Stupa looks exceptionally beautiful during the full moon night when it is naturally illuminated by the moonlight.
Did you know? Shanti Stupa is a perfect getaway for both- those looking to obtain peace from offering prayers to God and those waiting to be mesmerized by nature’s wondrous beauty. I hope you’ll not miss visiting this exceptionally beautiful Stupa while traveling to Leh.
3. Leh Palace
Timings : 7 AM – 4 PM Entry Fee : Indians- INR 15 & Foreigner- INR 100 Time Required : 2-3 hrs
Also known as ‘Lhachen Palkhar’, the Leh Palace was constructed by Dharmaraja Singey Namgyal in 1600.
Leh Palace is a former royal palace overlooking the town of Leh, Ladakh, in the Indian Himalayas. The palace was abandoned when Dogra forces took control of Ladakh in the mid-19th century and forced the royal family to move to Stok Palace. The nine-story dun-colored palace now houses a museum and a prayer room, while the highlight is the sweeping view of Leh and the surrounding Zanskar mountain from the rooftop.
The Leh Palace is modeled on the Potala Palace in Lhasa (Tibet), and even though a considerable part is now in ruins due to the Kashmiri invasion that took place in the 19th century, the stately palace continues to remain a stunning place to explore.
The beauty of the Leh Palace still stands in pride with a lot of ancient Buddha relics, paintings, old utensils, cutlery used by the royal family, and artifacts adorning the walls, most of which are almost 450 years old. So. don’t miss visiting it.
4. Hall of Fame
Timings: 9 AM – 1 PM & 3 PM – 7 PM Entry Fee: Indians- INR 10 & Foreigner- INR 50 Time Required: 2-3 hrs
Located on the Leh-Kargil Road about 4km from the city of Leh, the Hall of Fame is a museum constructed by the Indian Army in memory of the brave Indian soldiers who laid down their lives defending the motherland in the Indo-Pak war.
It stands as a reminder of the great sacrifices made by our soldiers to ensure the safety and security of our motherland. Maintained by the Indian Army, the Hall of Fame showcases seized arms and amenities of the Pakistani Army, pictures, and biographies of brave soldiers.
A section of the museum also displays the Siachen area, exhibiting apparel and amenities used by the Indian Army in the region. Apart from this, you can also witness items related to Ladakhi culture, history, vegetation, and wildlife found across the globe.
Hall of Fame is one of the must-visit places in Leh that paves the way for you to look back in time and fill your chest with pride on your visit to the Hall of Fame just the way the soldiers were proud of acting as a shield between the rivals and India.
5. Leh Bazaar
Arguably the most crowded place of Leh, having almost every kind of shop. So, once you are here in Leh, engage in shopping sprees in the market places around Leh. Leh Bazaar happens to be one of the most popular shopping destinations in Leh.
Locals and tourists crowd the market alike to get their hands on the cheap items. Shopkeepers here can often be seen selling their colorful artifacts to the engaged crowd. Bargaining customers are a common sight here. Numerous shops sell apparel, Tibetan Silver jewelry, and accessories here. These items are of the best quality and pocket-friendly.
If you are looking for varieties, then the shops here will definitely cater to your needs. So, don’t forget to buy some cool stuff from this bazaar.
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