Surrounded by the Himalayas, Ladakh is a picturesque mountainous city worth visiting. The region is dotted with numerous Gompas and monasteries, which have preserved the cultural richness of the Buddhist sect. These monasteries are the residences of many Buddhist monks. The most popular are:
– Hemis Gompa
Built in 1630, Hemis is the largest monastery in Ladakh. Tourists "get lost" with the beautiful paintings inside. The monastery prides itself on having the largest Thangka painting in Ladakh, measuring 12 meters. Hemis Gompa is very popular because the Hemis Gompa is celebrated there, which takes place every 12 years. The dances of masks of many colors are the protagonists of this party.
– Sankar Gompa
The monastery is located 2 km from the city center. Gelukpa monks are the residents of this monastery. Visitors can catch a glimpse of the immense Buddha figure that dominates the site.
– Shanti Gompa
This temple was built by a Japanese Buddhist organization to commemorate the 2500 years of Buddhism. The impressive structure features a large white dome that glows with brilliant lights when night falls.
– Shey Monastery
Shey Monastery is situated on a hill, at a distance of 15 kilometers from Leh. In it, there is a large 12-meter-high gold-plated statue representing Sakyammnui Buddha.
– Spituk Monastery
It is also situated on a hill, overlooking the Indus River. It is famous for preserving a rich collection of Buddhist objects.