About Stok Palace – Or Stok Heritage Best Travel Attraction In Stok village, Leh district, Ladakh, northern India, only 15 kilometers south of Leh.
Stok Palace is one of Ladakh’s most beautiful attractions, situated around 15 km from Leh. It was built by King Namgyal in 1820 and was opened for public visits in 1980 by the Dalai Lama. The palace was once home to King Namgyal and now it has been converted into a heritage hotel with a museum and temple.
This palace is the summer home to the royal family of Ladakh and the descendants of King Sengge Namgyal. Stok palace reflects the glorious days of Namgyal rule in Ladakh.
There is a fine museum in Stok Palace which has a collection of relics and Buddhist artifacts related to Ladakh’s monarchy. The palace rooms have rustic interiors and royal decoration. You can also witness here ancient coins, royal seals, jewelry, costumes, photographs, and the royal family collection of Thangkas which are about 400 years old.
Stok Heritage has been segmented into different layers for public visits which include Stok Palace, Stok Heritage Hotel, Stok Museum, and Stok Palace Temple.
You can visit Stok Palace from June to September. It is also ideal to visit this palace during the festival of Stok Guru Tsechu, which is celebrated for two days in the first month of the Tibetan calendar.
History of Stok Palace
As per the history of Stok Palace, it is now converted into a Heritage hotel and was built by King Tsespal Tondup Namgyal in 1820. He was one of the famous rulers of the Namgyal dynasty of Ladakh. Stok Heritage was visited by the Dalai Lama in 1980 after which it was opened to the public.
The major section of Stok Palace is converted into a hostel and that’s the star section of the entire palace. The quirky design and rustic color make this heritage hostel an awful place to stay for a couple of nights. Not only do you get the chance to enjoy a great outside view but so much further than that.
The Heritage Hotel is constructed as a 4- story structure with a lot of various spaces across the building. However, the stirring view of the Indus River will leave you in a spell-bound state, If you choose to stay then.
The architecture of Stok Palace
The architecture of Stok Heritage reflects professional craftsmanship and exhibits features such as royal apartments, and prayer chambers which are arranged in a multi-level interlinked courtyard. Here is what you can witness in Stok Palace Ladakh.
Stok Palace Ladakh
A section of the palace is left for the public to see the ancient items used by kings. It is one of the most preserved attractions in Ladakh. Visitors can see various things here which are kept in palaces.
Stok Palace Heritage Hotel
A major section of this palace is converted into a hotel which is a four-storeyed building. You can enjoy the mesmerizing views of the Indus River while staying in this hotel. The hotel has shaded corridors and courtyards which offer a colorful experience. The hotel provides the best services which include simple yet comfortable bedding, fully furnished suites, and clean bathrooms.
Stok Palace Museum
Another section of the palace is converted into a museum that is home to ancient artifacts and jewelry of King Namgyal and his descendants. Tourists can also find here a collection of royal paintings, ancient coins, precious jewelry, royal seals, and photographs which are 400 years old and kept in the museum.
Stok Palace temple
Referred to as Lhakchung, this temple is dedicated to Lord Buddha and is on the top story of Stok Heritage. You can attend regular rituals and prayer sessions and the monks here can offer you personalized amulets and good luck charms.
Timings and charges
Being part of a heritage property, the Palace is open at any time for the public. But to visit the museum, there is a fixed timing and charges.
Charges of stock museum: INR 50 for Indian tourists and INR 100 for foreign tourists.
Timing of Stok Museum: 8 AM to 7 PM
Total time to explore the museum: 2 hours.
How to reach Stok Palace
Stok Heritage is just 15 km away from Leh and can be easily reached via a cab or bike. Visitors can also take a bus from any bus station in Leh. The journey takes about 30-45 minutes to reach Stok Palace.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the major attractions of Stok Palace?
A must-see attraction of Stok is the Stok museum which showcases ladaki artifacts, costumes, thangkas, and a private chapel known as Lhakchung which is adorned with beautiful interiors and a calm atmosphere.
Can we stay in This Palace?
Yes, you can stay overnight in This Palace. A section of the palace has been turned into a heritage hotel where you can stay and enjoy the royal Ladaki hospitality.
What are the other attractions to visit near Stok Heritage?
Some other attractions that you can visit on your visit to Stok Heritage include Thiksey Monastery, Leh Palace, Magnetic Hill, Stok Monastery, Chang La Pass, Shey Palace, Hemis Monastery, Shanti Stupa, and Nubra Valley.
How old is Stok Palace?
The Palace was built in 1820 by King Namgyal which is a 19th-century old structure and is a present residence of the Ladaki royal family.