About Alchi Monastery

Alchi Monastery (Alchi Choskhor) is one of the most important and oldest Buddhist monasteries in Ladakh, founded in the 11th century by Lotsawa Rinchen Zangpo, the 'Great Translator'. Unlike most Ladakhi monasteries perched on hilltops, Alchi sits on flat ground beside the Indus River. It is renowned for its extraordinarily fine woodcarvings, clay sculptures, and Kashmiri-influenced wall paintings that date back 900–1,000 years, depicting mandalas, bodhisattvas, and narrative scenes in exquisite detail. The Sum-tsek (three-storeyed temple) contains some of the most beautifully preserved Kashmiri-style Buddhist art anywhere in the world. The complex is maintained by monks from Likir Monastery.

Highlights

Travel Tips

• 1The monastery is small — photography inside is strictly prohibited.
• 2A knowledgeable local guide greatly enhances the experience here.
• 3Alchi village has good cafes serving traditional Ladakhi food.