Likir Monastery

Situated on a low hill about 52 kms from Leh, this exceptional yet less visited monastery was founded in the 14th century. It is also known as Klu-kkhyil (water spirits) Gompa and is said to be the first in Ladakh to have been built by Tibetan monks. The original structure is believed to have been destroyed by a fire and the present structure re-built in the 18th century, and re-dedicated to the Gelukpa sect.

There is an external 25m high statue of the Maitreyi Buddha, very unusual for Ladakhi gompas. The wall paintings depict the 16 arhats and the 35 compassionate Buddhas. There is also a small museum containing numerous Tibetan artifacts that are a few hundred years old.