The oldest and spectacularly set holy site Lamayuru monastery is about 125 kms. West of Leh, founded in the 10th century . Lamayuru was once a lake. It was blessed by a lama after which, as legend goes, the water of the lake receded upto the mountains leaving place for the monastery to be built. It is also the free zone of Ladakh since not even a criminal can be apprehended in this place. Now mostly in ruins, only the main hall exists today and houses numerous tankhyas.
The Yundrung Kabgyad festival is held during summer on the 28th and 29th days of the 2nd Tibetan month.
Lamayuru has fascinating caves carved out of the mountainside. Also known as Yung Drung (Swastika) it is sited on a high promonotory overlooking the village and valley. For sheer spectacle value no other gompa can match Lamayuru.