Rizong Monastery was founded in 1831 by Jigmet Wangchuk, a great Lama from Ladakh who was inspired to create a center where monks could live a life devoted to prayer, meditation, and scriptural study without distraction. From the beginning, it was intended to follow the strictest rules of the Gelug tradition, which emphasizes moral discipline, celibacy, and scholastic rigor.

The monastery soon gained fame not just in Ladakh but across the Tibetan Buddhist world as a place of intense spiritual training. It has served as a seat of learning and meditation for generations of monks who come here seeking spiritual depth over material comfort.

Today, Rizong is home to around 40–60 monks, most of them young novices undergoing years of spiritual instruction.

Set against a dramatic rock face, Rizong Monastery has a commanding yet humble presence. Its construction blends seamlessly into the mountainside, reflecting the simplicity and discipline it stands for:

• Main Assembly Hall (Dukhang): Modestly adorned but spiritually charged, the main prayer hall contains images of Shakyamuni Buddha, Tsongkhapa (founder of Gelugpa tradition), and various protector deities.

• Meditation Cells: A distinctive feature of Rizong is the presence of individual meditation rooms, known as retreat cells, built into the cliffs and used by senior monks for months or years of solitary practice.

• Schooling Blocks: The monastery also runs a school for young monks, where they receive both spiritual and basic secular education.

• Stupas and Chortens: Scattered around the monastery are small stupas, prayer wheels, and mani walls carved with Buddhist scriptures.

The entire complex is built using traditional Ladakhi materials—stone, timber, and mud brick—designed to withstand the harsh climate while remaining minimal in ornamentation.

• Nunnery Visit (Jelichun Nunnery): About 2 km below Rizong lies the nunnery associated with the monastery. Here, around 20–25 nuns live and practice Buddhism with equal devotion. Visitors are welcome to interact, learn about their routines, and share a cup of butter tea.

• Annual Festival (Rizong Tse-Chu): Held in the Tibetan lunar calendar, this spiritual celebration includes prayer gatherings and masked dances, although it is quieter than the festivals of Hemis or Thiksey.

• Local Life: The nearby villages of Uletokpo and Yangthang offer homestay options and a chance to experience simple Ladakhi rural life.

Spiritual Peace:

Rizong Monastery is known as the “Paradise for Meditation,” offering an exceptionally quiet and disciplined spiritual environment. Set in a remote gorge, the monastery is ideal for deep meditation and reflection, with strict monastic rules that preserve its tranquil and sacred atmosphere.

Cultural Immersion:

Affiliated with the Gelugpa order of Tibetan Buddhism, Rizong Monastery gives visitors a profound cultural experience rooted in monastic discipline. Visitors can witness the daily routines of monks, explore ancient scriptures, and also visit the nearby nunnery (Jelichun Nunnery) for a broader understanding of Ladakh’s religious life.

Scenic Views:

Nestled at the base of a rocky cliff in the Ulley valley, the monastery is surrounded by dramatic mountain landscapes and barren beauty. The remote setting offers spectacular views of stark cliffs and open skies, making it a hidden treasure for nature lovers and photographers.