Alchi monastery is believed to be the leadoff Buddhist temple in Leh Ladakh. While travelling towards Sham valley, you will carry a satchel full of amusing sights. When you reach Alchi, you will walk along the alley of the village towards the monastery. And a fail-safe vista of apricot blossom tree and antique shops will be befriended by smiling ladakhi women and men.
Alchi Choskor was pioneered by translator Rinchen Sangpo in order to rekindle Tibetan Buddhism. Every inch of wall surface of this monastery has images of the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and more. Paintings and images are crafted by Buddhist Kashmir under the guidance of Lostava Richen Sangpo. This top-shelf monastery helped preserved 10th century Buddhism arts and crafts.
Alchi monastery was scantly scathed when monasteries situated on the Leh-Srinagar trade route were destroyed. Since it is enclosed by mud-brick wall and has a humble appearance from the outside, the invaders from neighboring regions could not identify it from the houses of Alchi village.
