Location : Leh is located in the state of
Jammu & Kashmir in the extreme north of India.
Tourist Attractions : Buddhist Monasteries,
the Leh Palace.
Best Buys : Tibetan handicraft items.
Best Hangouts : The Monasteries.
Best Activity : Trekking, Mountaineering,
Camping, Water Rafting.
Nearby Tourist Destinations : Jammu, Leh,
Kargil, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, and Pahalgam.
When to Visit : June To End September
About Leh
Ladakh, a part of Jammu & Kashmir State in north of India
consisting of two districts Leh and Kargil. At a distance of 434
kms from Srinagar and 474 kms from Manali, Leh is situated on
the banks of the river Indus, at a height of 11,000 feet.
The land of majestic mountains, Leh is a complete beauty in
itself. Leh has quite a few amazing places to offer its
tourists. The most striking sight of Leh is the group of women,
traditionally attired, selling fruits, vegetables and household
articles,
spinning and knitting, and exchanging gentle banter between
themselves and with passers-by.
Leh airport is Ladakh's only link with the outside world for the
seven months of the year. Leh is one most frequented
destinations for the trekkers in India. Rumbak and Markha offer
exciting treks, while Stok Kangri is the best for a climb. One
can also go for boating and river running on the Indus.
Major Tourist Attractions in Leh
Leh Palace
Built in the mid of 16th century by King Singe Namgyal, this
palace is a distinguished monument and a historical building and
is still owned by the royal family. This palace has nine storeys.
One part of the palace is occupied by the museum. It is an
imposing structure, though in ruins now, situated on a hill and
commands a grand view of the Leh town. The building in grand
Tibetan architecture is said to have inspired the famous Potala
of Lahasa, built half a century later.
The Tsemo Gompa
The Tsemo Gompa or Red Gompa is situated at the north of the
city. The left side of its entrance has the portrait of Tashi
Namgyal. It has a colossal 2-storey high image of Maitreya,
flanked by Avalokitesvara and Manjusri figures.
Soma Gompa
The new Soma Gompa is a new monastery situated at old village.
It was built in 1957 to commemorate the 2,500th birth-day of
Buddha.
Hemis Gompa
Hemis Gompa is located at a distance of 40 km south of Leh,
along a road crossing the Indus. Among the innumerable thankas
(paintings on cloth), there is one which is supposed to be the
biggest of its kind in existence. The exposition of this tankhas
takes place once in eleven years. Every year, in June, a fair ('
Mela of Hemis Gompa') takes place at Hemis which is a colourful
occasion for the mask dances.
Tiksey
About 25km south of Leh, Tiksey is considered as one of the most
imposing monastery in Ladakh. It is a 12-storey monastery
painted in red and white and ochre. It has 10 temples surrounded
by typical tapering walls. The complex contains numerous stupas,
wall paintings, tankas, statues, large pillar engraved with
Buddha teachings and swords. The interior of new temple
dominated by a giant 15 meters high Buddha figure.
Getting There
Air : Leh - Leh is the main airport for this area. Direct
flights link it to Delhi, Chandigarh, Srinagar and Jammu. Kargil,
Suru and Zanskar valleys - Srinagar and Leh airports are both
convenient.
Road : Leh - Srinagar-Leh road is the main route with an
over night halt at Kargil. The road is open between mid June and
November. Ordinary and deluxe buses of the J&K state road
transport corporation regularly ply on this route. Taxis can
also be hired at Srinagar for this trip.
Accommodation
Leh offers a variety of accommodations to suit almost every
pocket or preference. Most hotels are family- run establishments
and, as such, the services are more personalised than
professional. Hotels are classified into A, B, C and Economy
category while Guest Houses fall under Upper, Medium and Economy
class.
There are also some Government run Tourist Bungalows located
mainly along the Srinagar-Leh road. These offer the best value
in the medium range.
Jammu Kashmir Travel Guide
