Leh Palace

The ruined Royal Palace at Leh.

Leh Palace overlooks the Ladakhi Himalayan town of Leh, modelled on the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. The palace was built by King Sengge Namgyal in the 17th century, but was later abandoned when Kashmiri forces besieged it in the mid-19th century. The royal family moved their premises to Stok Palace. The Leh Palace is nine storeys high; the upper floors accommodated the royal family, the stables and store rooms are located in the lower floors.

Interior

The palace, a ruin, is currently being restored by Kashmiri craftsmen. The palace is open to the public and the roof provides panoramic views of Leh and the surrounding areas. The mountain of Stok Kangri, part of the Zanskar mountain range, is visible across the Indus valley to the south with the Ladakh mountain range to the north.