Ladakh is a beautiful union territory located in the north of India. Ladakh is known for its tourist destinations. Ladakh’s Buddhist monasteries, snowy natural sites, beautiful lakes and magnificent markets are favourite destinations for tourists.
There are many beautiful Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh, hence Ladakh is also called ‘Small Tibet’. Pangong Lake of Ladakh is one of the most famous tourist destinations.
Apart from this, snow leopards are also found in Ladakh and ice hockey is the most played game in Ladakh, which is played on ice. Ice hockey is very much liked by foreign tourists.
Top 10 Best Places To Visit In Leh Ladakh
1. Pangong Lake
Pangong lake attracts tourists with its natural beauty. This lake is one of the famous tourist destinations of Ladakh. Pangong lake whose length is 135 km and height is about 4500 m.
Pangong lake is a salt water lake. This lake keeps changing its colour. This lake is quite famous in the country due to its colour change. Pangong Lake is a major tourist destination of Ladakh due to its natural beauty and being surrounded by beautiful hills.
2. Hemis Monastery
Hemis Monastery is one of the most famous monasteries of Ladakh. It was established in the year 1672. Every year a festival is organised in the honour of Swami Padmasambhava at Hemis Monastery.
Hemis Monastery is one of the largest and richest Tibetan monasteries in Ladakh. Apart from this, there are also stupas made of gold and silver in this monastery. There is a beautiful copper statue of Lord Buddha here.
3. Magnetic Hill
Magnetic Hill of Ladakh is also known as Gravity Hill. Due to the gravity of this mountain, the vehicles running here are automatically pulled upwards on the mountain.
Magnetic Hill is located at a distance of 30 km from Leh on the Leh-Kargil-Srinagar Highway. This place is the most visited place by tourists in Ladakh.
4. Shanti Stupa Ladakh
Shanti Stupa is the most ancient and prominent religious place of Ladakh. This is a Buddhist white domed stupa. Shanti Stupa is the main centre of attraction for the tourists coming here.
This Stupa was built by Japanese Buddhist monk Gyomyo Nakamura. He was himself deposed by the 14th Dalai Lama. The remains of Lord Buddha are preserved at the base of Shanti Stupa.
5. Leh Palace
Leh Palace which is known as Lhachen Palkhar Palace. This is a beautiful historical tourist place of Ladakh. This palace was built as a royal palace by King Sengge Namgyal in the 17th century.
This nine-storey palace is one of the tallest buildings of its time. The king and his royal family used to live in this palace. At present this palace has been opened to the general public. A picturesque view of Leh city can be seen from this palace.
6. Stoke Palace
Stoke Palace, built on the banks of the Indus River, is one of the major tourist destinations of Ladakh. Stok Palace was built in 1820 AD by King Tsepal Tondup Namgyal.
Stoke Palace is very famous for its beautiful architecture, beautiful gardens and magnificent design. In this palace you will get to see the war clothes and other royal paraphernalia of the kings.
7. Kargil
Kargil is one of the beautiful places of Ladakh. There was a war at this place in the year 1999 between the armies of India and Pakistan. This place is famous for mountaineering on the mountain located here.
Apart from this, it is also known for the followers of Buddhism. Many tourists coming here for mountaineering feel proud by climbing the highest peak of Kargil mountain and hoisting the tricolour.
8. Hemis National Park
If you want to enjoy visiting a national park in Ladakh, then definitely visit Hemis National Park. This national park is the largest national park of South Asia. This national park is the perfect place for nature lovers and bird lovers.
This national park is a protected home to endangered mammals such as leopard, Asiatic ibex, Eurasian brown bear, Tibetan wolf, and red fox.
9. Leh Market
Leh Market is a famous shopping market of Ladakh. It is situated in the centre of the city. This place is most suitable for those tourists who, apart from travelling, are also fond of shopping.
Leh Market has many small Tibetan markets and souvenir shops. From this market you can buy pashmina shawls, sweaters, jackets, mufflers and gloves etc.
Apart from shopping, here you can also taste the local food. If you have gone to visit Ladakh, then you must definitely do shopping in Leh Market.
10. Gurudwara Pathar Sahib Ladakh
Gurudwara Pathar Sahib is a famous pilgrimage site of Ladakh. It is located at a distance of about 20 km from Leh city. Gurudwara Pathar Sahib was built in the memory of Guru Nanak in the year 1517.
Gurdwara Pathar Sahib is a very special place for truck drivers and army convoys. It is considered auspicious to visit Gurudwara Sahib before travelling the difficult route ahead from here.