Shey Monastery

Shey Monastery, an erstwhile Royal residence up to 16th century, is located at a small village Shey near Leh on the banks of Indus River and is managed by Buddhists Monks from Hemis Monastery. Lhachen Palgyigon, the first King of Ladakh built this Monastery. The building is placed on a ridge similar to a knife edge and the approach to the monastery is decorated with many stupas and shrines.

The prime attraction of the monastery is the blue haired Maitreya Buddha of 17.5 m high, which is made with copper and brass and also decorated beautifully with studs of precious stones. Guarding deities, paintings showcasing Buddhist preaching and Tibetan style stone carvings are very attractive. Many tourists visit this place to have a first hand experience of Buddhism and its cultural past.