The monasteries of Ladakh are the source of Buddhist religion and culture. They symbolize and preserve the centuries old cultural and artitistic heritage. It is important for a visitor to maintain and respect their sacredness. Shoes need to removed before entering the temple place and smoking in the monasteries is prohibited. Loud actions or improper dressing is also not accepted. Ladies are not allowed to enter the Gon-Khang (room dedicated to the guardian divinities). A small entrance fee might be charged and there is a caretaker lama for showing the visitors around.

Buddhist monasteries, also known as Gompas are largely concentrated in central Ladakh. Lamayuru is the oldest monastery of the 12 situated on the River Indus. It is a sacred place for the pre-Buddhist religion called Bon.

Alchi is the jewel of Ladakh's monastic foundations. It was abandoned centuries ago as a place of active worship and is now being well maintained by the monks of Likir, the nearest monastery. The assembly hall and the three storey Sumtsek of Alchi are the richest in paintings and images. The paintings depict the pre-existing Tibetan style of paintings. Some of them resemble the paintings in Ajanta Caves.

Tak-thok and Matho are other significant monasteries in the region. Tak-thok incorporates one of the many caves in the Himalayas where Indian Buddhist follower and promoter, Padmasambhava rested. Matho is famous for its yearly festival of the oracles, held in the month of March.

The monasteries of Phiyang , Hemis,Stakna and Chemrey were all founded under the direct patronage of members of the ruling Namgyal dynasty. they belong to the Red-Hat sect of the Buddhist monasticism.

The monasteries of Thiksey , Likir , Ri-dzong and Spituk in central Ladakh represent the Yellow-Hat sect of Buddhit monas