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Basgo Ruins

Basgo village, located strategically at the juncture of Upper and Lower Ladakh, was a pivotal part of the ancient Silk Route as a pit stop for traders. The remnants of the thriving erstwhile city – its ancient fort, royal palace, administrators’ residences, chortens, and three Maitreya Buddha monasteries built in the 16th century – sit in ruins at the edge of the barren plateau. In the village below, the people are dedicated to preserving whatever is left of the once-rich heritage. From traditional techniques of managing and conserving their built heritage to initiating restorative efforts, they have been on a committed journey for decades. The three temples were listed in the World Monuments Watch list of the Hundred Most Endangered Sites (2000). The villagers’ heritage conservation efforts bagged them the UNESCO Asia Pacific Heritage Award of Excellence (2007).

Image credit: Harvinder Chandigarh, CC BY-SA 4.0

Activities from the Destination

Places of interest to weave into your itinerary

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