Leh, the headquarters of
Leh District, is located on the banks of
River Indus and is nestled by
Himalayan and the
Karakoram ranges. It was one of the best trade centers in Central Asia.
Sengge Namgyal, a nine storied palace of Tibetan architecture, covers the major portion of the city. Also, the city is dotted with 16th and 17th century mosques and Buddhist monuments. Leh is 435 km east of
Srinagar.
Also known as the land of lamas, Leh is mainly inhabited by Hindus and Buddhists. Various Buddhist monuments, study centers and monasteries can be found - Sankar
Gompa and Shanti Stupa are among them.
The city, with its cultural charm, is a shopper’s paradise. The marvelous Tibetan motifs and jewellery, and knitted carpets can be purchased from here.
With the picturesque view of the snow-covered Himalayas, the city is an ideal place for trekkers. Leh Annual Tourist Festival, conducted in the month of August, is an eye-catching sight. Various budget hotels and restaurants are available for a comfortable stay.
Shey – the summer palace of Ladhahi kings has a huge statue of
Buddha.
Jama Masjid, the historical mosque of
Mughal Dynasty, is located in the city center. Other points of interest are Alchi, Thiksey and Lamayuru.
Leh Mosque, an evocative of
Turkish-Iranian architecture is a marvelous spot.
Stock Palace Museum, 15 km north of Leh, drives the attraction of the tourist.
From Leh Airport, services of Indian Airlines and Jet Airways are available. Regular flights are there to
Delhi, Srinagar,
Jammu and
Chandigarh. For local transport, taxis and jeeps are available.
