Having first visited in 2019, I returned to these two popular sights near Leh in August 2025.

Shey Palace and its accompanying Monastery are 15km south of Leh, on the road to Manali. It was built in 1655 and used to be the summer capital of Ladakh.

It is best known for the huge Shakyamuni Buddha, one of the largest statues in Ladakh. When I previously visited photography was allowed (which is when this photo is from) but now almost all monasteries in Ladakh (other than Thiksey) prohibit photography inside the temples to help preserve the delicate wall paintings.

Since I last visited, a large statue of Guru Rinpoche has been built outside. He is regarded as the founder of the Nyingma tradition, the oldest of the four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism.

Also in front of the palace is a large photogenic pond which is in the process of being restored.

Shey offered stunning views of the surrounding landscape and other monasteries nearby.

The nearby Thiksey Monastery is noted for its resemblance to the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, and is the largest monastery in central Ladakh.

Little had changed here since my previous visit, apart from a facelift that has left the building with brighter colours.

There are a number of temples here to explore.

One is home to a 15m high statue of Maitreya.

As with Shey there were some great views of the surrounding landscape.

On the way out I found a toilet with a view!