Phyang

Located 40 kilometers west of Leh, Phyang Monastery (Phyang Gompa) is one of the most prominent Buddhist sanctuaries in Ladakh and one of only two monasteries in the region belonging to the Drikung Kagyu (Digungpa) lineage. Established in the 16th century by King Jamyang Namgyal and Denma Kunga Drakpa, the monastery sits atop a hilltop overlooking a picturesque village surrounded by poplar trees and mountain streams. The name “Phyang” derives from Gang-Ngong (meaning “Blue Mountain”), referencing the hilltop setting. Housing hundreds of monks, a vast monastic school, and a rich museum of ancient artifacts, Phyang offers travelers a serene, off-the-beaten-path immersion into living monastic traditions, ancient frescoes, and breathtaking Ladakhi high-altitude landscapes.