Lying deep
in the northern arm of Zanskar at the end of the 35 km. Long rough road
from Padum, Zangla was being ruled by a titular king till his death a few
years back.
The old castle now in ruins except from a small
chappel, occupies a hill, overlooking the desertic valley below. Nearby is
the old Nunnery worth a visit for the austere life style of the small
monastic community of nuns.
An old monastery situated in the
nearby village of Tsa-zar has exquisite frescos that should be missed. The
village lies mid-way between Stongdey and Zangla. Zangla is the
nodal point on the popular Padum-Strongdey-Zangla-Karsha-Padum round trip,
which covers most of the cultural sites of Zanskar.
The old rope
suspension bridge spanning the tumultuous Zanskar near Zangla- a rare feat
of folk engineering - is no more in use, but still visible. The river is
now crossed by a temporary footbridge for approaching the left bank along
which the trail to Karsha follows. Zangla is also the take-off point for
the Padum-Markha valley treks.
The 240 km long Kargil-Padun
road, of which the first 90 km stretch is paved, remains opened from
around mid July to early November.
In June, the summer is
at its height in the region and the climate is ideal for trekking along
the route free from vehicular traffic of any kind and when the countryside
is freshly rejuvenated into life after months of frigid dormancy.
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Zangla City Travel Guide
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