About Korzok Monastery
Korzok Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery located in Korzok village on the western bank of Tso Moriri Lake in Leh district, Ladakh, at an altitude of about 4,595 metres. Belonging to the Drukpa Kagyu lineage, it was rebuilt in the 19th century and serves as the spiritual centre for the Changpa nomadic community. Known for its traditional architecture, murals and annual Gustor festival, it overlooks the high-altitude lake and surrounding Changthang plateau.
Visitors guide
Visitors can expect a whitewashed Tibetan-style monastery complex set on a hillside above Korzok village with views over Tso Moriri Lake and the Changthang plateau. Inside are prayer halls with statues of Shakyamuni Buddha, thangkas, murals and butter lamps. The surroundings are stark, high-altitude desert with nomadic settlements, prayer flags and chortens. Visitors can walk through courtyards, observe daily prayers, and explore the village and lakeshore nearby.
Key highlights
- 01
Located at approximately 4,595 metres on the western bank of Tso Moriri Lake
- 02
Belongs to the Drukpa Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism
- 03
Rebuilt in the 19th century (around 1851-1856) and serves the Changpa nomads
- 04
Hosts the annual Korzok Gustor festival with cham masked dances
- 05
Traditional Tibetan architecture with colourful murals, thangkas and Buddha statues
- 06
Panoramic views of Tso Moriri Lake and the Changthang plateau
History of Korzok Monastery
Korzok Monastery belongs to the Drukpa Kagyu school of Tibetan Buddhism. The present structure was rebuilt between 1851 and 1856 by Kunga Lodro Ningpo and his brother, on a site associated with earlier monastic activity in the Changthang region. It replaced the older Thugje Gompa and became the principal monastery for the nomadic population around Tso Moriri.
Culture & Context
The monastery is the spiritual and community centre for the Changpa nomads of the Changthang plateau. It houses sacred images and thangkas and is renowned for the annual Korzok Gustor festival, featuring cham masked dances, music and rituals that attract devotees and visitors. It preserves Drukpa Kagyu traditions in a remote high-altitude setting.