Zangla 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.