Monasteries Older Than 500 Years

Himachal Pradesh

Tabo 996 CE — the Ajanta of the Himalayas. UNESCO-worthy murals in mud walls. Key Monastery equally stunning

Ladakh

Alchi 10th century — finest Kashmiri-Buddhist art anywhere. Lamayuru moonscape monastery even older

Ladakh

Hemis 1630, Thiksey 15th century, Shey Palace — Leh is a monastery circuit unto itself

Himachal Pradesh

Namgyal Monastery — seat of the Dalai Lama. Living heart of Tibetan Buddhism in exile

Himachal Pradesh

Kardang Monastery — 12th century, overlooks Keylong. Oldest in Lahaul, barely visited

Ladakh

Diskit Monastery — 14th century, giant Maitreya Buddha perched above the Shyok river valley

Arunachal Pradesh

Tawang Monastery — 2nd largest in world after Lhasa. 400-year-old Gelug seat at 3048m

Himachal Pradesh

Nako Monastery — 11th century, Rinchen Zangpo era. Crumbling murals in a village at 3600m

Ladakh

Alchi Monastery — 10th century masterpiece with unique Kashmiri-Indian Buddhist art style

Ladakh

Phugtal Monastery — built into a cliff cave, 12th century. Reachable only by foot

Ladakh

Likir Monastery — 11th century origin, giant golden Maitreya Buddha, living monastic community

Sikkim

Rumtek Monastery — seat of the Karmapa, 16th century lineage. Sikkim premier Buddhist site

Sikkim

Pemayangtse Monastery — oldest Nyingma monastery in Sikkim, Kanchenjunga backdrop

Himachal Pradesh

Bhimakali Temple — 7th century Hindu-Buddhist hybrid architecture unique in India