One of the most famous tourist attractions in Leh, the Shey Monastery is located in the Shey village at a distance of 15 km. from Leh. Fluttering prayer flags, decorated chortens, colourful stones carved with Buddhist inscriptions and dozens of prayer wheels welcome you as you climb the hillock housing the monastery. Set inside the Shey palace complex that is now in ruins, the monastery is famed for housing Ladakh’s second largest statue of seated Shakyamuni Buddha made in copper plated with gold. The walls near the statue adorn the illustrations of 16 Arhats and two disciples of Buddha. Beautiful paintings and frescoes on the walls of the monastery depicting different hand gestures of Buddha are also worth noticing. Besides the beauty of the monastery what makes you spellbound is the spectacular views of the surroundings with lofty peaks of the Zanskar hills and green Indus River snaking its way through the valley. One of the must visit places, Shey Monastery should definitely be on the travel itineraries of tourists on a holiday trip to Ladakh. For the best experience, visit the monastery during its annual ‘Shey Rupla Festival’ that attracts hordes of tourists from the neighbouring villages and also gives you a chance to see the unusual dance performed by men dressed in tiger costumes.