Samstanling Monastery

Samstanling Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Gelugpa order located in Sumur village in Nubra Valley, Ladakh. Founded in 1841 by Lama Tsultim Nima, it sits on a hilltop overlooking the Nubra Valley and Shyok River. The monastery houses around 50 monks, features traditional Ladakhi architecture, vibrant murals and a large prayer hall. It is known for its serene setting, panoramic valley views and religious significance.

Visitors can expect a hilltop monastery complex in Sumur with whitewashed walls, golden roofs, prayer halls, courtyards and chortens surrounded by desert mountains and the Nubra Valley. Inside are Buddha statues, thangkas, murals and butter lamps. The site offers panoramic views of the valley and Shyok River, quiet monastic atmosphere, monks in prayer, and opportunities for sightseeing, photography of exteriors and landscape, and short walks around the complex.

Founded in 1841 by Lama Tsultim Nima, Samstanling Monastery belongs to the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It was established as a branch of Thiksey Monastery and has served as an important monastic centre in Nubra Valley for over 180 years.

An important centre of the Gelugpa tradition in Nubra Valley, the monastery is an active place of worship, study and festivals for the local Buddhist community. It preserves Tibetan Buddhist art, scriptures, rituals and architecture and hosts daily prayers by resident monks.