Shanti Stupa

The Shanti Stupa features on many Leh sightseeing tours, especially those focusing on monasteries and Buddhist sites. Unlike many other Leh-area attractions, the Shanti Stupa sits right above Leh, so you can walk there from your hotel if you’d like. The views are especially beautiful at sunset, and the stupa has a golden Buddha statue and colorful friezes. Climbing the steps to the top can be tiring, especially if you’re still acclimatizing to Leh’s altitude of 11,562 feet (3,524 meters).

• There’s no entry fee to the stupa but a small donation is appreciated.

• Like at all Buddhist stupas, circulate the Shanti Stupa clockwise, which is the respectful way to do so.

• You’ll need to climb around 500 steps up to the stupa, so wear comfortable shoes, bring water, and take it slow.

Many travelers visit the Shanti Stupa independently on foot from the Changspa neighborhood, where many hotels are located. It’s easy to find the path, which leads from the intersection of Changspa and Yurthung Roads. If you’re taking a taxi or going on a tour, you’ll be driven the longer way around the back, along Shanti Stupa Road.

The stupa is open to visitors between early morning and evening. Sunset is an ideal time to visit as the views across Leh are pretty and, if you’re walking, the sun isn’t so intense. Avoid visiting on foot too soon after you arrive in Leh—the climb up the steps can be extra tiring when you’re acclimatizing, even if you’re generally fit.

Another hilltop attraction that towers over Leh is the 17th-century Leh Palace. The 9-story stone structure was built in the traditional Tibetan style that features all over Ladakh and Tibet. The building is mostly abandoned now so there’s not much to see inside, except the small Leh Palace Museum, but it’s worth walking up from the Old Town to admire the views. As with the Shanti Stupa, take it easy if you’re still acclimatizing.