Leh is one of the mesmerizing places in Ladakh. The best time to visit Leh is from the month of June to September. There are many must visit places in Leh near Hotel Chube Leh, which one must see when in Leh. Leh city sightseeing is one of the enjoyable Leh things to do, which will require half or full day, but to visit all Leh local sightseeing places you must stay in Leh for 2 to 3 days. Check out the following must see places in Leh near Hotel Chube Leh.
The Shanti Stupa Leh is an amazing domed-shaped monument and Buddhist shrine. The Shanti Stupa Leh is white-colored and looks mesmerizing during night time when it is lighted. The Shanti Stupa Leh is one of the best Leh attractions to visit. The Shanti Stupa Leh is also called as peace pillar. The Peace Sect' of Japanese Buddhists founded this beautiful Shanti Stupa. The Shanti Stupa is situated above Changspa in Leh and is very noted for its gilt panels which illustrate the life stories of Buddha. It is believed that the Shanti Stupa Leh was founded by Dalai Lama in the year 1985 for teaching the ideologies and preaching of Buddha. The Shanti Stupa Leh is truly worth visiting Leh tourist place. It is just 5 kilometers from the main city of Leh. The Shanti Stupa is surrounded by mesmerizing snow-covered mountains and the traditional houses. The Shanti Stupa Leh is also noted for offering mesmerizing sunrise and sunset.
The Leh Palace is one of the must visit Leh attractions. You can easily visit Leh Palace as it is located in Leh city. The Leh Palace is also called as the Lhachen Palkhar. The Leh Palace was previously a royal palace of the Leh Kingdom. This 17th century Palace was one of the tallest buildings of its time housing nine story. This Leh Palace offers mesmerizing views of Ladakh Mountain Range, Stok Kangri, and surrounding town. The Tsewang Namgyal who established the Namgyal dynasty of Ladakh, initiated the construction of the Leh Palace on the Tsemo Hill in 1553. The upper floors of Leh Palace were used for dwelling purpose and the lower floors were used as storerooms by the royal family. Leh Palace is among the best examples of medieval Tibetan architecture. The Leh Palace is made of wood, stones, sand, mud and many big rooms and corridors of this amazing Leh Palace have been transformed into lovely exhibition halls. The Leh Palace is definitely among the worth visiting Leh sightseeing places.
The Hemis Monastery Leh is geographically located at a distance of 40 kilometers towards the south-east of the Leh. The Hemis Monastery is the largest monastery in Ladakh. This Hemis Monastery Leh was built in 1672 AD during the rule of King Singge Namgyal. This Hemis Monastery Leh serves as a host to Hemis festival that is commemorated annually in early June. The Hemis Festival Leh is one of the major tourist attractions in Leh. This amazing colorful festival is also known as Hemis Tsechu. The Hemis Festival day is also declared as state holiday in Ladakh. During the Hemis Festival Leh, the local resident Lamas perform a religious masked dance to worship the win of good over bad. Currently Hemis Monastery Leh is conserved and maintained by the Drukpa sect of Buddhism. The Hemis Monastery Leh is noted for its lovely paintings and idol of Lord Buddha.
The Stok Palace was founded by King Tsespal Tondup Namgyal in 1825. Currently, Stok Palace Leh is the home of the royal descendants of King Sengge Namgyal. The architecture of Stok Palace Leh is a mixture of traditional and contemporary architectural styles. The Stok Palace Leh has many alluring gardens and houses library that has collection of 108 Kangyur (teachings of Lord Buddha). The Stok Palace Leh is approximately 15 kilometers away from the main city of Leh. This Stok Palace Leh is used to celebrate annual dance-mask festival and numerous locals take part in festival. This Stok Palace Leh also exhibits collections of crowns, royal cloths, and other interesting things. The Stok Palace Leh is also one of the best Leh sightseeing places.
The Thiksey monastery Leh is situated to the east of the Leh approximately 19 kilometers away from Leh. The architecture of Thiksey monastery Leh is similar to that of Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. This Thiksey monastery Leh is a 12 floor building and exhibits various things associated to Buddhist art such as Thangka paintings, stupas, statues, swords, and many more. This Thiksey monastery Leh also has nunnery. The main attraction in Thiksey monastery Leh is the Maitreya temple. The statute of future Lord Buddha in Maitreya temple is approximately 49 feet high, and is one of the largest in the region.
The Hall of Fame is located nearby Leh Airfiled. The Hall of Fame Leh is an interesting museum founded and conserved by the Indian Army in the honor of the soldiers who died during the Indo-Pak wars. The Hall of Fame Leh is also a cenotaph for the war heroes. This Hall of Fame Leh has two floors. In the ground floor, there is information about the brave soldiers and souvenir shop. The first floor exhibits artifacts of various wars (mainly Kargil war) like weapons and important documents related to war. The Hall of Fame Leh has a section which is dedicated to the Siachen glacier.
The Khardung La Leh is very significant mountain pass situated on a caravan road which connects Leh to Kashgar. In ancient times, the modes of transport in this trade route were camels and horses which were used to supply goods and valuable things. Nowadays Khardung La Leh is used to transport goods and supplies to Siachen Glacier and is of high strategic significance to Indian army. The closest reachable town to Khardung La Leh is Leh city which is connected to Manali and Srinagar. The Bikers from all corners of world visit this Khardung La Leh to do mountain biking which is truly mesmerizing and memorable experience. You will also find an army canteen to have tea and snacks and there is also a good souvenir shop nearby to buy souvenir of your tour. The Khardung La Leh is truly among the heavenly places to see in Leh.
The Tsemo Fort Leh was established during the 16th century. The Tsemo Fort Leh is just 15 minutes climb up and located opposite to Chenrezi Lakhang in its damaged state. You can see Tsemo Fort Leh from anywhere in Leh. The Tsemo Fort Leh looks like a crown on the top of the Palace. This Tsemo Fort Leh has many worship flags. The Tsemo gompa (Tsemo monastery) is located just below Tsemo Fort and houses two temple which was constructed during the 15th century. The Tsemo gompa also has eight meter tall gold-faced statue of Maitreya Buddha. The Tsemo Fort Leh is among the astonishing places to visit in Leh.
The Spituk Monastery Leh and Pethup Gompa were constructed in the 11th century by Od-de, who was the big brother of Lha Lama Changchub. Currently, Spituk Monastery Leh is home to about 100 monks and also has large idol of goddess Kali, which you can witness during the yearly held Spituk festival. The Spituk Monastery Leh is only 8 kilometers from the main city of Leh. Every year Gustor Festival is celebrated in Spituk at Spituk Monastery Leh.
The Sankar Monastery Leh is only 3 kilometers from Leh. The Sankar Monastery Leh is an official dwelling place of Kushok Bakul who is the head of Gelukpa Sect. This Sankar Monastery Leh is closely associated to the Spituk Monastery of Leh. The Sankar Monastery Leh is very famous for statue of Avalokitesvara which has 1000 hands and heads. The statue of Avalokitesvara is very beautiful. The Sankar Monastery Leh also has library and some rooms. Approximately 20 monks live in Sankar Monastery and out of which only few are permanent residents. Timings of visiting this Sankar Monastery is limited to 7:00 am.
The Stakna Monastery Leh is a Buddhist monastery located approximately 45 kilometers from the main city of Leh. The Stakna Monastery Leh is conserved and protected by the Chose Jamyang, who is a Bhutanese saint and scholar and built this monastery during the second half of the 16th century. The Stakna Monastery Leh is a best example of the religious and cultural heritage of Buddhism and India. The Stakna Monastery Leh is situated on a hill and looks like a tiger's nose on hill. The Stakna Monastery Leh derived its name from the same mountain. The Stakna Monastery has huge assembly hall called Dukhang whose walls are embellished with eye-catching paintings of Sakyamuni, Amchi and Tsephakmad. On the right of courtyard, you will see a lovely seven feet tall silver gilded chorten which has statue of Lord Buddha with some notes. The Stakna Monastery Leh is among the best Leh attractions.
The main point of interest in Shey Monastery Leh is a big gold-plated copper statue of seated Shakyamuni Buddha. This gold-plated copper Shakyamuni Buddha statue is also the second tallest statue in Ladakh. In front of this gold-plated copper Shakyamuni Buddha statue, a big wax bowl with a flame is continuously burned for a year and after which it is replaced by another big wax bowl. The Shey Monastery Leh is one of the most visited Leh tourist place.
The Leh Market is the first place you will witness on your Leh tour as it is in the town itself. You will find many small Tibetan bazaars and souvenir shops in Leh Market where you can buy various things like spiritual prayer wheels, soft pashmina shawls, embroidered patches, silver artifacts and many more. There are many restaurants in Leh Market were you can enjoy various local cuisines of Leh. The Leh Market is truly interesting Leh sightseeing place.
The Nimo Leh is beautiful village situated nearby Leh. The Nimo Leh is situated around 35 kilometers from the main city of Leh. The Nimo Leh is a best destination for all the river rafting lovers and Nimo is the starting point for the yearly organized all India River rafting expedition, which is done in the Indus River. The temperature in Nemo Leh changes from 40 °C in summer to −29 °C during winter season. Due to such harsh climate condition and extreme weather in Nimo Leh, there is very little vegetation in Nimo. Nimo Leh houses many monasteries and orchards. Rafting in the Indus River and rafting in the Zanskar River are truly unforgettable outdoor sports.
The Old Town Leh is located in Leh. In Old Town Leh you will get to see old mud-brick houses and stupas. Below these lovely mud-brick homes and Stupas there is winding steps and passages which is the main point of interest of Old Town Leh. Besides these 200 mud-brick traditional homes, the old town is also famous for mesmerizing Buddhist temples and mosques. The Old town Leh is locally known as Skyanos Gogsum. Some of the important areas in Old town Leh are Kharyok, Stalam, Lobding, and Maney Khang. The Old town Leh is very famous for historical monuments such as Leh Palace, Jama Masjid, Namgyal Tsemo Monastery and first cinema hall in Leh. This Old town Leh is also one of the historic Leh local sightseeing.
The Karma Dupgyud Choeling Monastery Leh is situated approximately 9 kilometers away from Leh city. The Karma Dupgyud Choeling Monastery Leh is one of the important Dharma centers in Ladakh. The Karma Dupgyud Choeling Monastery Leh was founded by Lama Chime Dorje Rinpoche in the year 1973. This Karma Dupgyud Choeling Monastery Leh is preserved and maintained by Karmapa sect of Tibetan Buddhists. There are approximately 17 Karmapas in this area. This Karma Dupgyud Choeling Monastery Leh has played a vital role in the development of the traditional Buddhist culture and values. The monastery houses an original mud-brick building which has Dukhang (Assembly Hall), quarters which include office, kitchen, classrooms and library. This monastery is among the tourist places in Leh India.