Shey Palace was built around 1655 by King Deldan Namgyal as the summer home for Ladakh’s royal family. Long before Leh became the capital, Shey was the main power center. The palace is perched on a hill overlooking Shey village and the Indus Valley .
Inside the palace is the Shey Monastery. It holds a giant, gold-and-copper statue of Buddha Shakyamuni — around 12 m tall and one of the largest in the regi ...
 1.jpg)
 4.jpg)
🕰️ Open Daily (6 AM–1 PM, 1:30–6 PM)
Shey Palace and Monastery are open every day with a short break at lunchtime. It’s best to visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon. These times are cooler, less crowded, and perfect for photos.
💳 Low Entry Fee (~₹30)
The palace has a small ticket fee for entry. It is affordable for everyone — both Indian and international travelers pay about ₹30. Kids may enter free.
📸 No Photos Inside Prayer Hall
Taking pictures near the big Buddha statue is not allowed to respect its sacredness. Cameras are okay outside and in the palace courtyard, but not inside the holy hall.
🎒 Wear Respectful Clothes
As it is a religious place, you must wear clothes that cover your shoulders and legs. Avoid shorts or sleeveless tops. This shows respect to local culture and monks.
🏞️ Combine With Nearby Visits
You can easily visit Shey along with Thiksey Monastery or Stakna Monastery on the same day, as they’re nearby. Most visitors plan all three in one morning trip.
🚶♂️ Climb a Short Hill
The palace sits on a small hill above Shey village. It’s an easy walk, but the slope can be tiring for some. Bring water and take your time walking up.
🧥 Light Jacket or Fleece
Mornings in Ladakh are cold, even in summer. A light fleece or jacket keeps you warm during the walk or when standing inside the shaded prayer halls.
👖 Comfortable Pants
You will be walking up a small hill and spending time inside the monastery. Loose-fitting pants make walking and sitting easier.
🧢 Sunglasses and Cap
The sun is very strong at high altitudes. Sunglasses protect your eyes from glare, and a cap helps avoid sunburn.
👟 Walking Shoes
The path up to the palace is uneven. A good pair of shoes with grip makes climbing safe and easy.
🫁 Acclimatize in Leh (11,500 ft)
Before visiting Shey Palace, you should spend at least one day resting in Leh to get used to the high altitude. This helps your body adjust and prevents sickness.
💧 Stay Hydrated
Ladakh’s air is very dry. Carry a water bottle and take small sips often to keep your energy up and avoid dehydration.
💊 Carry Headache Medicine
Some people may feel mild headaches due to the altitude. Keep basic medicine handy, but only take it if needed and approved by your doctor.
🤕 Avoid Long Stays Near the Statue if Dizzy
The top prayer hall can feel stuffy. If you feel light-headed or dizzy, step outside, sit down, and breathe slowly.
🥟 Momos & Thukpa
Just before or after visiting Shey Palace, stop at local dhabas on the Leh–Manali road for hot momos (Tibetan dumplings) and thukpa (noodle soup). Both are warm, filling, and perfect after a hill walk.
☕ Butter Tea
Try traditional butter tea, which is made using salt, yak butter, and tea leaves. It may taste different at first but helps you stay warm and hydrated in Ladakh’s dry climate.
🍛 Simple Curry & Rice
Roadside cafés near Shey serve basic vegetarian meals like dal, rice, or mixed curry — great for a quick lunch during your monastery tour.
🔃 Spin the Prayer Wheels
At the base and on the way up, you’ll find rows of prayer wheels. Spin them gently while walking clockwise. Each spin is like sending a prayer into the world.
🙏 See the Giant Buddha Inside the Monastery
The 12-meter statue is made of copper and gold and sits in a calm, silent hall. It’s a peaceful place to sit, pray, or quietly observe.
🏞️ Enjoy the Valley View
From the palace’s balcony, you can see wide views of the Indus Valley, small villages, green fields, and faraway snowy mountains. It’s a great place to take photos.
🚗 Combine Visit with Nearby Monasteries
After Shey, plan a stop at Thiksey Monastery (which looks like a mini-Potala Palace) or Stakna Monastery that stands high above the Indus River.
🛕 Thiksey Monastery (8 km)
This large monastery is shaped like the Potala Palace in Tibet. It has a huge Maitreya Buddha and colorful prayer halls. Don’t miss the early morning prayers.
🛕 Stakna Monastery (20 km)
Located on a hill shaped like a tiger’s nose, Stakna is quieter and peaceful. It offers beautiful river views and has a rare statue of Arya Avalokitesvara.
🏰 Leh Palace (15 km)
Built in the 17th century, Leh Palace resembles Lhasa’s Potala. Climb to the top for an old-world feel and fantastic views of Leh town.
🕊️ Shanti Stupa (17 km)
A white-domed peace structure built by Japanese monks. Best visited during sunrise or sunset for peaceful vibes and stunning light.
May to September
Shey Palace was built around 1655 by King Deldan Namgyal as the summer home for Ladakh’s royal family. Long before Leh became the capital, Shey was the main power center. The palace is perched on a hill overlooking Shey village and the Indus Valley .
Inside the palace is the Shey Monastery. It holds a giant, gold-and-copper statue of Buddha Shakyamuni — around 12 m tall and one of the largest in the region . The statue was built to honor the king’s father, Sengge Namgyal . The palace also has beautiful murals and prayer halls.
In 1842, a battle forced the royals to move to Stok Palace, and Shey was abandoned What remains today are ruins, prayer wheels, and chortens (stupas), giving a sense of old-time life. Every summer, two festivals—Shey Doo Lhoo (sowing time) and Shey Rupla (harvest)—bring the place alive with music, dance, and rituals
Shey Palace is both a royal home and a holy place. It tells the story of kings, faith, art, and mountain life. Today, visitors walk the same steps, find peace, and look at a giant Buddha watching over Ladakh.
🏛️ Once a Summer Capital
Shey was the royal seat before Leh took over 🙏 Huge Buddha Statue
The 12 m Buddha is made of copper and gold — one of the tallest in Ladakh
🎨 Beautiful Paintings Inside
The palace halls have old murals that show stories of Buddha and ancient life.
🧿 Peaceful Prayer Wheels
As you walk uphill, row after row of silent prayer wheels greet you.
⛅ Great View of Indus Valley
Standing on the palace’s balcony, you can see snow-capped hills and the river valley.
👑 The King’s Tribute
King Deldan Namgyal built the giant Buddha statue inside the monastery to honor his father. This statue, made of copper and covered in gold, stands like a silent guardian watching over the valley. Stories say craftsmen worked day and night to finish this sacred artwork.
🎉 Festival Magic
Every July or August, Shey hosts Shey Doo Lhoo and Shey Rupla festivals. Monks wear masks and colorful robes, perform dances, and play music. Villagers join in, offer prayers, and watch in wonder. These two days bring laughter, hope, and blessings to all who attend.
The Himalayan Mountains are a majestic mountain range in South Asia, spanning five countries. They boast the world's highest peaks, including Mount Everest. These young, growing mountains feature rugged, snow-capped peaks, deep valleys, and glaciers. The Himalayas influence regional climate, harbor unique biodiversity, and hold cultural and spiritual significance. They attract adventurers, nature lovers, and spiritual seekers from around the world.
