5N/6DLadakhLeh Ladakh Classic
2N Leh · 1N Nubra · 1N Pangong · 1N Leh- Hotels
- Meals
- Transfers
- Sightseeing
Starts from
₹18,900
per person
Shanti Stupa, Leh
A white hilltop stupa above Leh, best at sunset
- Type
- Stupa
- Location
- Leh, Ladakh
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Best time to visit
- All year. Sunset in summer, and the clear days of autumn.
About Shanti Stupa
Shanti Stupa is a large white stupa on a hilltop at Changspa, on the edge of Leh. It was built by Japanese Buddhist monks of the Nipponzan Myohoji order together with local Ladakhi Buddhists, as a symbol of peace. It was inaugurated by the Dalai Lama in 1991.
The stupa holds relics of the Buddha, and its sides have panels showing events from his life. From the terrace around it you can see Leh town, Leh Palace, the Indus valley and the snow peaks of the Stok range. The views are best at sunrise and sunset, which is when most people come.
You can reach the top by car on a winding road, or climb a long flight of steps from Changspa. The steps are steep and best saved for after you have acclimatised. On your first day, take a car up and spend a quiet half hour at the top.
Things to do at Shanti Stupa
- Watch the sunset over Leh and the Stok range
- See the panels showing scenes from the life of the Buddha
- Climb the steps from Changspa once you are acclimatised
- Visit at night to see the stupa lit up
How to reach Shanti Stupa
- From Leh market: about 5 km by road, about 15 minutes by car or taxi. You can also climb the steps from Changspa.
Tips before you go
- Go by car rather than the steps during your first two days in Leh
- Carry a warm layer, as it gets cold and windy quickly after sunset
- Combine with Leh Palace on the same evening
Packages that cover Shanti Stupa
5N/6DLadakhView
6N/7DLadakhLeh Ladakh Explorer with Turtuk
2N Leh · 2N Nubra · 1N Pangong · 1N Leh- Hotels
- Meals
- Transfers
- Sightseeing
Starts from
₹22,900
per person
8N/9DLadakhKashmir and Ladakh Road Trip
2N Srinagar · 1N Kargil · 2N Leh · 1N Nubra · 1N Pangong · 1N Leh- Hotels
- Meals
- Transfers
- Sightseeing
Starts from
₹34,900
per person
Nearby places to visit
Palace · Leh
Leh Palace
A 17th-century royal palace of nine storeys on the hill above Leh's old town, with views over the town and the Stok range.
Time needed: 1 to 2 hoursRead more →Must visit
Town
Leh
Ladakh's main town, with Leh Palace, Shanti Stupa and a busy main bazaar. Your base for the first and last nights, and the place to acclimatise.
Time needed: 2 to 3 days, split between the start and end of the tripRead more →War museum · Leh
Hall of Fame
A museum run by the Indian Army near Leh, honouring soldiers who served in Ladakh, with galleries on the Kargil war and life on the Siachen glacier.
Time needed: 1 to 1.5 hoursRead more →Shanti Stupa: FAQs
Who built Shanti Stupa in Leh?
It was built by Japanese Buddhist monks of the Nipponzan Myohoji order with the help of local Buddhists, and inaugurated by the Dalai Lama in 1991.
What is the best time to visit Shanti Stupa?
Sunset is the most popular time, for the light over Leh and the mountains. Sunrise is quieter and equally good.