Ladakh, also known as the `Little Tibet`, is situated in the northernmost part of India. The architectural style of this place mainly follows the Buddhist architectural pattern. Monasteries or the Gompas, most of which are located on top of the rocky hills are the primary architectural features of Ladakh. There are also few cave temples and palaces which bears the legacy of Buddhist architecture. The geography, religion and climate of Ladakh have a heavy influence on the architecture of this place. All the buildings including temples have flat roofs as there is little rainfall. Most of the people here are of Tibetan descent, though now there are some Muslims living here. Some of the temples and monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism, also called the `Lama` religion, are quite exceptional in their structural design.

The noteworthy buildings of Ladakh are the monasteries. The Lamayuru Monastery built in the 11th century A.D. stands on bleak, rocky mountainscape, very typical of Ladakh. The multi-storied structure with a variety of spaces like temples, assembly halls and cells for the monks, is precariously perched on the steep slope. The fairly light buildings are built with a wooden framework, earthen walls and willow for floors. Though the wooden `Lion room` of the monastery was built in the 11th century but the murals and carved pillars in it are fairly new. The architecture of the monastery is indeed awe inspiring. The Themisgang monastery was built during the 16th century. There are three individual buildings in the monastery. The architecture of the red building is the most majestic of all. It has the Bodhisattvas enshrined within it. The Rizong monastery is a well planned architectural structure and was built as late as the 19th century. White walls and brown windows give it a uniform appearance harmonised with nature. The building reminds one of modern terraced apartments. The Alchi monastery is located in the plains, rather than on a hill. It is the perfect example of the architecture of the Buddhist temple. Buildings in the ancient India were made of wood and the Sumtsek Temple built in the 11th century is a perfect instance of this architectural style. It reflects the delicate `wooden` construction style that was engaged for temples in Kashmir. An influence of the Hellenic culture can be seen in the Grecian engravings, while the capitals of pillars are in the Ionic style. The Sumtsek Temple has an entrance hall in the centre that rises up three levels. The skylight on top that lights up the interior is in the original style used for the construction of gompas. The Shankargompa in Leh is a modern gompa of the 18th century. The architecture of this monastery is quite different from other monasteries around. In contrast to the white walls of the monk`s room, the entrance and the capitals of pillars are all painted in gay, bright colours. The front door with murals on either side looks very majestic indeed.

Leh, the only city of Ladakh, houses the Leh Palace, a nine-storeyed structure that was built during the 17th century by King Sengge Namgyal. Though the palace is now mostly in ruins, the prayer rooms and gompa inside echo the accord with which religion and the government coexisted. The Potala Palace in Lhasa is built in the same architectural style as Leh Palace. The landscape around, dotted with houses with interior courtyards and almost no greenery resembles a desert. The town of Leh is sprawled on a slope, with houses similar to modern step-terrace apartments. Leh receives around 100 mm of rainfall and most of this is snow and as a result, all the houses have flat roofs. The Stok Royal palace situated on the banks of the Indus River is a palace built by King Jepal Namgyal. The four-storeyed building with seventy seven rooms, still houses the royal family but one part has been converted into a museum. The palace with a courtyard is very similar in architectural style, to that of the gompas. Ladakh is a home to few Buddhist rock cave temples. There is a cave temple at Saspol, sixty five kilometers from Leh. The architecture of the cave temple is devoid of any pillars and beams and looks more like a cavern. Within are priceless murals of Mahayana Buddhism in very bright colours and still very well preserved.

Thus, architecture of Ladakh comprises the wide vista of Buddhist architecture.