Alchi Choskor "Religious Enclave" is 69 km. west of Leh, the most famous and largest of all the Gonpa built by Lotsava Rinchen Zangpo. He appointed four families to look after Choskor, as there was no monastic community introduced, then in the 15th century Choskor was taken over by the Lekir Monastery since then Choskor is being taken care of by Lekir Monastery. The monastery comprises of Dukhang (Assembly Hall), Sumtsek Lhakhang (three tier) the Lhakhang Soma (New Temple), Jamyang Lhakhang (Munjushri Temple), Lotsava Lhakhang (Translator Temple) and Kangur Lhakhang. The Sculptors and Wood carvers are said to be brought from Kashmir around in 11th Century.

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Lama Shesrab Zangpo of Stod founded the Deskit Gompa around 1420 AD during the reign of king Dragspa. Approximately 100 monks reside here. This monastery is a branch of Thiksey Monastery. The monastic festival called Gustor take place on the 20th and 29th of the 12th month of Tibetan Calender.

The Hemis Monastery is around 45 km. south of Leh, which is one of the largest and most famous monasteries, belonging to the Drukpa order. The monastery founded by the first incarnation Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyatso in 1630, who was invited to Ladakh by a king Singey Namgail, and offered him a religious estate throughout the region. The youngest son, Nawang Namgail, became a monk and his name was changed to Zamling Drags. The Monastery was named Changchub Samling and the community was introduced. The Hemis festival is held in the month of June.

The original name of Gompa is 'Thupstan Sningpo Druprgout Standar Chosling', which was founded between 1851-1861 by Lama Kunga Lodos Snyingbo and sponsored by head of Rupsho Tsering Tashi Namgyal. The main statue in the Gompa is of Shakyamuni Buddha's, Guru Snang-Sret-Zinlnon, Statue of first incarnation of Stagtsang 'Nawang-gyatso' and copper gilt Opakmed statue

The Lamayuru "Yungdrung" Gompa is remarkably built on a rock, around 125kms. west of Leh, on the Leh Srinagar highway. Lamayuru belongs to the Drigunpa order of Tibetan Buddhism. The history of the monastery begins with the visit of Arahat Nimagung to this place, when there was merely a lake here. It is said that Arahat made a prophecy that "a monastery will come up at this spot" and he made offerings (prayer with grains of corn) to the Nagaserpent spirits. The corns mixed with the earth and formed in the shape of Swastika (Yungdrung), later it came to be known as Yungdrung Monastery. The Great Translator Rinchen Zangpo constructed a temple here in eleventh century. Naropa also visited Lamayuru and meditated here. Gelukspa or Kadampa school of Tibetan Buddhism initially looked after Lamayuru, but later; it was taken over by Digungpa Order. Its monastic festival is called "Yuru Kabgyat", takes place on 17th and 18th of 5th month of the Tibetan Calendar.

Shey, around 15kms south of Leh was the seat of power of the first king of Ladakh, Lhachen Spalgigon, who constructed the hill top fortress. The ruins can be seen further above the present Shey Palace. There are hundreds of Chortens (stupas) and Dresthang Gompa built around the palace, which are under the Thiksey Monastery. King Deldan Namgyal built Shey Palace in the beginning of the 17th century AD. The main image in the monastery is the three-storey statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, made of copper guilt, which was made by Deldan Namgyal in the memory of his father Singay Namgyal. The statue is the only of its kind in the region. Dresthang Gompa near the palace was built during the reign of king Singay Namgyal, with a three-storey statue of Buddha. "Shey Srubla" festival is also held here at Dresthung Gompa. The Rock-carved statue of five Buddha can be seen below the palace on the roadside, which was probably carved during the reign of Singay Namgyal.