Keylong, popularly known as the ‘Land of Monasteries’, is a beautiful tourist destination of Himachal Pradesh, located at an elevation of 3350 m above sea level. Serving as the headquarters of the Lahaul and Spiti districts, Keylong has several tourist attractions.
In praise of Keylong, the noted writer Rudyard Kipling said, "Surely the Gods live here; this is no place for men". The exhilarating and archaic mountain ranges along with lush green valleys are simply breath taking.
Tourist Places In And Around Keylong
Keylong offers visitors with the opportunity to visit several Buddhist pilgrimage centres, which are famous for their unique architectural designs and have historic relevance. The Kardang Monastery and the Shasur Monastery are two of the famous monasteries situated in the region.
Located at an altitude of 3500 m above sea level is the 900 years old Kardang Monastery. The Shasur monastery was built in the 17th century by Lama Deva Gyatsho of Zanskar, a missionary of the King Nawang Namgyal of Bhutan. Other popular monasteries in the region are the Guru Ghantal Monastery, the Tayul Monastery and the Gemur Monastery.
The other renowned destinations of Keylong are Tandi, Sissu and Udaipur, to name a few. Sissu is a prominent village and a popular tourist destination located on the banks of the river Chandra. Visitors can see wild geese and ducks during the spring and autumn seasons in this region.
The village of Udaipur is renowned for its two temples, namely the Trilokinath Temple and the Markula Devi Temple. Keylong is also a popular destination for various adventure sports, such as Trekking, Fishing, Jeep Safari, Paragliding, Skiing and camping.
How To Reach Keylong
Travellers planning a trip to Keylong can reach the destination by air, rail and road. The Bhuntar Airport is the closest air base to Keylong situated at a distance of about 165 km from the destination. The airport connects with the main cities such as New Delhi and Mumbai.
The nearest rail-link to the destination is the Joginder Nagar railway station, which is situated at a distance of 280 km from Keylong. Tourists can also avail several state and private buses that ply from Manali for Keylong.
Best Time To Visit Keylong
The best time to visit Keylong is during the summer season starting from May and October.