Located in the Eastern region of Leh, Thiksey Monastery is one of the most beautiful Tibetan Buddhist style monasteries in India. At a height of around 3600 metres above sea level, it is situated in between the cold deserts of Leh and Ladakh. Known to be the largest Tibetan monastery in Ladakh, Thiksey monastery houses several stupas, statues and other Buddhist artefacts in its 12 storey structure. There are various sections which you can visit in the monastery, each of which has a distinct style of architecture. The personal aesthetics with the surrounding snow-clad beauty of the monastery is what attracts tourists from all over the world. A striking feature of the monastery is the presence of a separate building of female renouncers apart from the statues, paintings and other exhibits. The monastery also comprises Maitreya to commemorate the 14th visit of the Dalai Lama to this place. Be it the combination of nature and craftsmanship, the intermingling of various Buddhist sects and the coincidence of historical and contemporary architecture or the soothing, serene environment, this place is often known to be a place with rich cultural heritage. It is a must visit if you are in Ladakh.