Namgyal Tsemo Monastery

Namgyal Tsemo Monastery sits on the rocky crag above Leh Palace and was built in 1430 by King Tashi Namgyal. The monastery houses a three-storey golden statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha, along with ancient scriptures and watercolour paintings. Adjacent to the monastery is the Tsemo Castle, a ruined fort offering sweeping views across the Indus valley and the town below. The monastery is affiliated with the Gelugpa sect and is home to a small community of monks. The climb up to the monastery from the old town is steep but rewarding, and the site is especially beautiful at sunrise when the surrounding peaks catch the first light.