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Sankar Gonpa
The Sankar Gonpa is a couple of kilometers away from Leh town. It belongs to the Gelukspa school of Tibetan Buddhism. This small Gonpa is a branch of the Spituk Monastery, founded by the first incarnation of Skyabje Bakula.
Gonpa Soma (Jokhang), Leh
the Ladakh Buddhist Association built the small Gonpa, in the main bazaar, which is open throughout the day for visitors. The Gonpa contains a statue of Joyo Rinpochey.
Stok Gonpa and Palace
Stok is a place, where the present day royal family resides. King Tsespal Tondup Namgyal built Stok palace and Museum in the year 1825, after Zorawar Singh's annexation of Ladakh.
Gurphuk Gonpa, a branch of Spituk Monastery is a little away from the palace, which is famous for its festival "Guru Tsechu" held on the 9th and 10th of the 1st month of Tibetan Calendar.
Shey Gonpa and Palace
Shey, was the seat of power of the first king of Ladakh, Lhachen Spalgigon, who constructed the hill top fortress. There are hundreds of stupas and Dresthang Gonpa built around the palace, which are under the Thiksey Monastery.
The main image in the monastery is the three-storey statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, made of copper. "Shey Srubla" festival is also held here at Dresthung Gonpa. The Rock-carved statue of five Buddha can be seen below the palace on the roadside, which was probably carved during the reign of Singay Namgyal.
Thiksey Monastery
south of Leh the most beautiful of all the Monasteries in Ladakh, belongs to the Gelukspa order. Sherab Zangpo first built the Gonpa at Stakmo.
The Thiskey festival is held in the month of October- November. Around 80 Monks resides here at present.
Chamkhang contains the three storey Maitriya Buddha's statue, constructed in recent years. Dukhang at the top, consists of thousand armed Avaloketesvara, Shakyamuni Buddha and Bodhisattavas, Gonkhang contains the statues of Vajra Bhairava, Mahakala & Dharmakaya, the goddess Paldan Lhamo and Cham-sring.
Spituk Monastery
The Spituk Gonpa was founded by Od-Ide, in the 11th century AD. Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo visited this monastery. Lama Lhawang Lotus restored the monastery. The "Spituk Gustor" takes place in the courtyard of the monastery, on the 18th and 19th of the 11th month of Tibetan Calendar.
Shanti Stupa
The Japanese for World Peace built the Shanti Stupa, at Changspa, on the hilltop, and was inaugurated by Dalai Lama in 1985. Its state of the art work attracts a lot of tourists to Ladakh and is impressive to see.
Tsemo in Leh
King Gragspa Bum-Lde built the "Red Gonpa" known as Tsemo Gonpa in 1430 AD. The monument has three-storied Maitriya Buddha's statue and a one-storied statue of Avaloketesvara and Manjushri. The Tsemo Sungbum Chenmo (sacred text) was written in gold and silver, Tisuru Stupa consist of 108 temples, which were remarkable work completed in the reign of king Graspa-Bum-Lde. King Tashi Namgyal built the Namgyal Tsemo.
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