Korzok Monastery, Buddhist monastery in Karzok, India

Korzok Monastery sits at 4,560 meters (14,960 feet) on the northwestern shore of Tso Moriri lake in Ladakh. The buildings overlook the vast high plateau and house a community of monks who maintain daily religious practices.

A king of a nomadic lineage sent an emissary to Tibet, and the lama who returned established the monastery at Korzok about 300 years ago, after which the local nomads adopted Buddhism. The monastery was rebuilt in the 19th century on the right bank of the Tsomoriri River; the old building stood on a gentle slope. It was the headquarters of the Rupshu Valley and lay on the Central Asian trade route until 1947, when the reign of the last king, Tsewang Yurgyal, ended.

The monastery serves as a spiritual center for nomadic herders of the Rupshu plateau who gather here during festival times. The wall paintings and ritual practices show how Tibetan Buddhism continues in this remote mountain region.

Visiting requires permits that must be obtained in Leh, as the monastery sits in a restricted area. The journey takes several days through mountainous terrain, so visitors should plan time for altitude adjustment.

The annual Gu-stor festival draws nomadic herders from the region to perform multi-day masked dances. These performances depict Buddhist protective deities and connect spiritual traditions with the community of herders.