| Buddhist Monasteries are the key attractions to the | | | | Shanti Stupa |
| tourists visiting the beautiful valley of Ladakh. | | | | Likir |
| Monasteries or Gompas are ancient structures, where | | | | Spituk |
| Buddhist monks and nuns live, study and practice | | | | Cave Monastery |
| their religion. Almost all of these historic monasteries | | | | Thiksey |
| are situated in scenic locations, on hills and mountains. | | | | Stok Palace |
| Tourists visit these places very frequently and admire | | | | Shey |
| the architecture and art collection here. The greatest | | | | Lamayuru |
| concentration of major Buddhist monasteries or | | | | Phugtal |
| gompas can be found in the central Ladakh. | | | | Leh Palace |
| These main centres for worship, isolated meditation | | | | Zongkhul |
| and religion teaching belong to either the Red Hat | | | | Apart from that, Phiyang, Hemis and Chemrey are a |
| sect or the Yellow-Hat sect of Tibetan monasticism. | | | | few other ancient monasteries that were founded |
| Over twelve monasteries are situated near the | | | | under the patronage of members of the ruling |
| Indus, out of which the Lamayuru is considered the | | | | Namgyal dynasty. It is suggested to cover your limbs |
| oldest monastery. It has been a sacred site for the | | | | and take off the shoes while entering the |
| pre-Buddhist religion known as Bon. These Gompas | | | | monasteries. Prior permission should be taken for |
| are undoubtedly beautiful and splendorous, but are | | | | photography inside the monasteries and drinking or |
| perched dangerously on the edge of craggy mountain | | | | smoking is stricly prohibited. A head is appointed in |
| faces or rocks. A few popular monasteries/gompas in | | | | every monastery, who is called the 'Kushak', which |
| Ladakh are: | | | | literally means a 'Reincarnation'. Your tour to Ladakh |
| Alchi | | | | monasteries showcases the rarest collection of |
| Namgyal Tsemo | | | | Buddhist relics like thankas, murals, sculptures, |
| Sankar | | | | scriptures, etc. |