Thiksey Monastery is the largest monastery in central Ladakh district in Jammu and Kashmir. It is situated 18 km from Leh in the Indus valley. The Tibetan Buddhist monastery of Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism is located at the top of hill. The monastery is famous for its architecture and its location. The 12 storey monastery has 10 temples, an assembly hall, and is home to 120 monks and nunnery.

The monastery buildings are structured in hierarchal order. The monastery is referred as ‘Mini Potala’ of India as it resembles Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet. There is one big statue of Maitreya (future Buddha) which covers almost two floor of the monastery that is 40 feet in height. Tara temple of Goddess Tara is another major attraction for the visitors. Apart from visiting monastery one can also find some rare and precious stupas, statues, thangkas, wall paintings and swords in the monastery. Due to its proximity to Leh the morning prayer at the monastery attracts huge crowds. The monastery offers clear view of the Indus Valley and some monastery like Shey, Stok and Matho can also be seen from here. Festivals celebration is another major attraction for the tourists, locals and Buddhists in Thiksey Monastery.

There is a very interesting story behind how Thiksey monastery got its name and how the place where it stands today was finalised. Jangsem Sherab Zangpo and his disciple Palden Sherab were offering prayer services with a ritual cake about three kilometer from where the Thiksey monastery is. A crow flew away with the cake. When they searched, they found the ritual cake in perfect order at the top of the hillock. They believed it be an auspicious sign to build a monastery at this place. The monastery got the name Thiksey Phyang Monastery, Phyang (or Phiyang) Gompa is a Buddhist monastery located in Fiang village, just 15 or 16 kilometres west of Leh in Ladakh, northern India. It was established in 1515. (meaning in perfect order) because the cake was placed in perfect order by the crow. Accommodation is available in the monastery with excellent services at nominal rate. There are luxurious hotels at the base of the hill with modern facilities. The monastery serves vegetarian food. Hotels at the base provide Indian and Tibetan food. The best time to visit Thiksey monastery is between May and September, as routes are closed after November due to heavy snowfall.

"Spituk Monastery is an ancient Buddhist shrine, established during the 11th century. Nestled atop a high hillock, it overlooks the Indus River flowing nearby. The shrine was built under the patronage of Od-de, who was Lha Lama Changchub Od's elder brother and wanted a monastic community in the region. Spituk, a word for exemplary, derived from the translation of Rinchen Zangpo's statement, was chosen as the name of this monastery. Following the lineage of Gelug-pa school, this shrine has three prominent monasteries functioning under it – Stok, Saboo and Sankar. These monasteries are headed by the supposed reincarnations of Skyabsje Bakula Rinpoche.

An idol of Lord Buddha is installed within the main shrine of the gompa, along with a small image of Amitayus – the deity of long life. A large and holy wax bowl with continuously burning flame is kept in front of Buddha's statue. This flame burns for a period of one year and is replaced on a sacred day. An imposing image of Mahakaal also forms a part of the premises. Another highlight of the main prayer hall is the high throne, which is exclusively built for Dalai Lama. There is a hidden door besides this throne that leads to a dark old chapel, which has images of Tsong-kha-pa, his disciples and Lord Buddha.

This monastery features an assortment of colourful thangka paintings, ancient masks and weapons. Exquisite murals depicting Buddha's various hand gestures are also preserved here. This monastery is the venue of several Tibetan festivals, during which religious dances and unique rituals are performed. Gustor, an important festival of Gelug sect, is celebrated here towards the end of the eleventh month of Tibetan calendar." Phyang Monastery, Phyang (or Phiyang) Gompa is a Buddhist monastery located in Fiang village, just 15 or 16 kilometres west of Leh in Ladakh, northern India. It was established in 1515. Alchi Monastery or Alchi Gompa is a Buddhist monastery, known more as a monastic complex (chos-'khor) of temples in Alchivillage in the Leh District, of the Indian state under the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council of Jammu and Kashmir. The complex comprises four separate settlements in the Alchi village in the lower Ladakh region with monuments dated to different periods. Of these four hamlets, Alchi monastery is said to be the oldest and most famous. It is administered by the Likir Monastery