28 Amazing Facts About Ladakh

Ladakh is located in the Northern most part of India in the beautiful state of Jammu and Kashmir. It is a perfect blend of cold dessert lends and undulating valleys that will take you take your breath away! The place satisfies every kind of travellers. From bikers to nature lovers to people who want to experience tranquillity, Ladakh is a place to be. The majestic and mysterious Himalayan ranges have always had flocks of tourists and visitors. While this was not the case a few years ago, Ladakh has, now, become one of the most sought after and visited spots in India. Have you wondered why? Though you already know this about Ladakh, here it is anyway. Its sheer beauty, blue skies, snow tipped mountains have been calling out to people. Also for the fact that it has been one of the most famous landmarks in the movies and has been featuring consistently on your Instagram feed.

Here are 28 interesting facts about Ladakh that you must know before you plan your Ladakh tours!

* Ladakh is the highest settlement in India. The cultivated fields at Korzok, at 4,600 meters, are considered to be the highest fields in the world.

* The Bailey bridge in Ladakh, located at an altitude of 5,602 meters, is the highest in the world.

* The Nubra Valley in Ladakh is the only place in India where the twin humped/Bactrian camels can be found.

* The Magnetic Hill is one of the famous tourist attractions located near Leh in Ladakh. Also known as Gravity Hill, it gives the illusion of a car drifting upwards.

* The Indian Astronomical Observatory, situated in the historic village of Hanle in Ladakh, boasts the second highest optical telescope in the world.

* Rangdum is the highest inhabited region in the Suru Valley.

* Pangong Tso, situated at an altitude of 4350 meters, is the highest saltwater lake in the world. Almost 134 km long, 30% of it lies in India and 70% in China.

* Dras, located in Kargil, is the coldest place in India, and the second coldest place in the world. During winters, temperatures can drop as low as -45°C.

* There’s no distinctive rainy season due to limited rainfall in Ladakh. The seasons in Ladakh are broadly summer and winter.

* Ladakh is home to several Himalayan glaciers. Siachen Glacier is the longest himalayan glacier, stretching up to 76 km.

* Chadar Trek, which provides an opportunity of walking on the frozen Zanskar River, is one of its kind in India.

* The highest white water rafting in India can be enjoyed on the Zanskar River.

* Hemis National Park has the highest density of snow leopards in the world.

* From Hunderman Village in Kargil, tourists can spot a border village which was deserted by the villagers in Pakistan.

* ITBP (Indo Tibetan Border Police) organizes the National Ice Hockey Tournament In Ladakh during the winter months.

* Nubra Valley is famously known as Broken Moonland, because its landscape resembles that of the moon. Nubra is itself a cold desert.

* Alchi and Lamayuru monastery are two of the oldest and largest monasteries in Ladakh.

* Marsimik La is the highest pass in Ladakh. Although accessible to tourists, they need to obtain an Inner Line Permit prior to traversing it.

* Matho Nagrang, celebrated at Matho Monastery, is unique as it features two oracles, who predict the future for the locals.

* One of the biggest attractions of Diskit Monastery in Nubra Valley is the 32 meters tall statue of Maitreya Buddha Jampa.

* The Indus and Zanskar rivers meet at Sangam near the Nimmu village, about 35 km from Leh.

* Turtuk village is the last village in India where tourism is permitted.

* Stok Kangri is the most popular trekking peak in the Ladakh.

* Yak is not just a valuable animal in Ladakh but is also consumed with great delicacy.

* The famous Bollywood movie, 3 Idiots, was shot at Pangong Tso. Others parts of Ladakh have also been the site of shooting of several Bollywood movies.

* Mokthuk is a combination of soup and momos, and is greatly relished by the people of Ladakh.

* Chhang is one of the most popular alcohol in Ladakh.

* While travelling in Ladakh, you will come across a lot of quirky road signs like, “Don’t be a Gama in the land of Lama”, “Darling I like you but not so fast”, “Love the neighbour but not while driving”, “After whisky driving risky”.