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Overview
Also known as 'Lhachen Palkhar', this erstwhile royal palace is famous for its magnificent Tibetan architecture, and offers an insight into the local Buddhist culture.
Suggested Duration - 2 to 3 hours
What To Expect?
Travel back in time as you admire the ancient thangka paintings and stunning artefacts while enjoying majestic views of the mighty Himalayan Ranges.
Tips
- The palace is open for the visitors from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. only.
- Wear a comfortable pair of shoes to explore the palace with ease.
- The entry fee is INR 20 per person.
- Early morning and late afternoon is the best time to be here.
Leh Palace Overview: A Majestic Marvel of the Namgyal Dynasty
The Leh Palace in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, is known for its historical significance for the locals as well as for the region. Its 16th-century building is known for its architectural genius, making it a top attraction among tourists. It opens to stunning views and lends a glimpse into the royal heritage of Ladakh. Built during the peak of the Namgyal Dynasty, it still stands tall and strong after over three centuries.
| Leh Palace is Famous For | Majestic 16th-century build, towering 9-storeyed presence, panoramic views, royal history of Namgyal Dynasty, architectural brilliance |
|---|---|
| Leh Palace Timings | From 7.00 am to 4.00 pm |
| Best Time to Visit | Between May and September |
| Leh Palace Entry Fee | For Indian citizens - INR 15; for foreigners - INR 100 |
| Leh Palace Ticket Price | Not Applicable |
| Height | 60 Meters |
| Required Time | 4-5 hours |
| Popular Nearby Places | Shanti Stupa, Namgyal Tsemo, Kyago Tso, Zorawar Fort, Magnetic Hill, Thiksey Monastery |
About Leh Palace History and Architecture
The Leh Palace dates back to the times of King Sengge Namgyal of the erstwhile royal dynasty of Ladakh. It was the dynasty’s royal residence until the mid-1800s. Its elegance portrayed the prosperous and golden era of the Namgyal Dynasty. With nine storeys, it was the tallest building back then. The top floor of the palace opens to a bird's eye view of Leh.
Its architecture is reflective of the Ladakhi and Tibetan styles with cultural influences strongly visible. Made of wood, stones and mud, it has a unique build that keeps the interiors warm during winter. Inside the palace complex is the Leh Palace Museum which elaborately glimpses the royal lifestyle.
Your Travel Guide for Leh Palace - How to Reach
Located in the heart of Leh town, Leh Palace is easy to reach via roadways. Once you reach Leh town, the palace is just about 2 km uphill from there. You can thus reach the palace through a small hike. The nearest airport to reach the palace is in Leh itself, which makes air travel easy. Railways connectivity to Leh is available up to Jammu Tawi or Pathankot, from where you need to travel by road.
Things to Do Around Leh Palace
Some top things you can do and explore around Leh Palace include:
- Stok Palace visit:Check out another of the Namgyal Dynasty’s ancestral places that offer a better insight into Ladakh’s royal lifestyle.
- Leh Palace Museum visit:Visit this museum that houses some of the most elegant artefacts from the royal heritage of the Namgyal Dynasty.
- Annual Festival exploration:If you visit Leh in September, you can also catch up with the Annual Festival held here.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions about Leh Palace
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Travelling is exhilarating - and a little bit intimidating too. You are venturing into the unknown and you really have very little ideas about what things will be like there when you arrive. It's always a massive learning curve when you leap into the new (which is why it's important to thoroughly research a travel destination before you go.) Some of the important things to keep in mind while deciding on a destination to travel are :Figure out how to travel to a destination, where to stay and what are the things to do amongst other things. Trip Ideas by MakeMyTrip brings you a plethora of knowledge about a destination ranging from images and videos to lists of all the activities Read posts by travel bloggers who have been there and if needed email them Watch documentaries and reach out to people who have been there