Basgo Monastery

Basgo Monastery sits on a hilltop above the Indus River valley with several temples containing large Buddha statues and detailed wall paintings. The complex sits at about 3,300 meters elevation and offers views across the river valley and the ruins of an old settlement below.

Rulers from the Namgyal dynasty built this monastery in the 1600s on a hilltop where an earlier palace had once stood. This layering of older and newer structures shows how the site served as an important place of power and faith across centuries.

The temples here display traditional Buddhist art through wall paintings and sculptures crafted by local Ladakhi artists over generations. These works show how religious practice and local artistic skills have always been closely connected in this region.

The monastery is located around 40 kilometers from Leh along the main road toward Srinagar and can be visited throughout the year. Heavy snow can make access difficult during the harshest winter months, so it is wise to check conditions before traveling.

The monastery comprises three separate temples named Chamchung, Chamba Lakhang, and Serzang, each built at different times. These temples are positioned around the hilltop so that each offers a different view of the ancient ruins and the valley below.