Tourist centerpiece of Ladakh
Under the royal palace and even higher located gompa of Namgyal Tsemo huddle bustling old town of Leh. Most tourists get here by air from Delhi, so for them it's really a gateway to Ladakh. The main boulevard full of jeeps of travel agencies and drinking water suppliers is lined with restaurants with nice outlook terraces and ubiquitous souvenir shops. Woman sell vegetables on the sidewalks and pack of dogs are chasing in the remote dusty streets. Most tourists accommodate in modern hotels in the northern green suburbs of Changspa, but it is far better to stay in small guesthouses right in the old town and enjoy the unique atmosphere while sitting on their rooftops.
Royal palace of Little Potala
The biggest dominant of Leh is a huge abandon royal palace from the 17th century perching just above the streets of the old town. The king has left it a long time ago (mid-19th century) and is now being slowly reconstructed.
Soma small gompa
A short ascent to the royal palace also takes you around the small Soma gompa with typical chortens
Streets of the old town
Several mosques rise from the streets of predominantly buddhist Leh. Some corners of the old town are unfortunately quite polluted not only with garbage, but also with feces.
Panorama of Leh
Above the old town rise four thousand high barren mountains alluring to ascents full of original views of the town.
Greengrocers
Greengrocers in Leh sell their conquests right on the sidewalk. Vegetables are always fresh, harvested usually the same day.
Greengrocers in Leh
Locals mostly sell vegetables or souvenirs with buddhist theme. Kashmiris dominate the market with clothing and fabrics.
Wandering dogs in Leh
Another characteristic of the old town, or rather of the adjacent streets, are packs of roving dogs. During the day they just lazily hang around, dig in the garbage, sleep in the shade and do not even notice people at all. But at night they almost take control of the town. You can hear howling and barking from all sides. If you have to go around midnight for a jeep in the direction Manali or anywhere else, it is better to have a trekking stick in hand for shooing the most aggressive ones away.
Jama Masjid / Friday mosque
The biggest mosque in Leh is at the boundary of the main bazaar and the old town. But for tourists another thing is also important – there is the best shop with maps inside.
Small Shia mosque
In the corners of the town you can also come across a little cute Shia mosque.
View from the terrace of the Main Bazaar
You can have a lunch in one of the many outlook terraces above the Main Bazaar. The whole city at your fingertips, Stok Kangri ridge in the background. It is also possible to see the rooftop of Soma gompa from here, which is otherwise surrounded by buildings.
Sunset over Leh
Leh is famous for its stunning sunsets – although the old town falls quickly into shadows, the desert hills around changes color from gold to red, making it ideal to go to one of the many outlook places, like to Namgyal Tsemo gompa or Shanti Stupa.
Gateway to Leh
Just above the bus station there is an unwritten entrance to the old town – the gateway surrounded by chortens.
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