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 in 1989.
The old castle now in ruins except from a small chapel, occupies a
hill, overlooking the desertic valley below.
History
Ladakh and Zanskar are famed
for dogs, big and small, but nowwhere are there as many per family
as in Zangla. They include some Corgi lookalikes that appear on
the roof of one of the house of the king of Zangla. The old king,
who was such a delightful host to trekking parties, died in 1989.
Although for a century the king had held only a nominal title, his
lineage can be traced back to when the royal lineage in Zanskar
was split. One side of the family ruled from Padum, and the other
from Zangla was able to reach an accord which allowed him to
retain a nominal rule over the nearby villages of Honia and Chazar,
and the villages of Hanumil, Pidmu and Pishu on the far side of
the valley. The head monk at Spitok is related to this family, and
also administrators the Zangla monastery, which is on the cliff
just beyond the village.
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
Situated near to the ruined
castle 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
shouldn't be missed. The village lies mid-way between Stongdey and
Zangla.
The Padum_Markha Valley Treks
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.
HOW TO REACH THERE
Road: The 240-km
long Kargil-Padum road, of which the first 90-km stretch is paved,
remains opened from around mid July to early November. The J&K
SRTC operates a thrice-weekly bus service from Kargil. However
groups can charter A-Class or even Super-Deluxe buses to visit
Zanskar, including the interior places of interest like Stongdey,
Zangla and Karsha. Jeeps and Gypsy taxis can also be hired at
Kargil.
During June and early July, prior to opening of the road, it is
recommended to walk into Zanskar from Panikhar or Parkachik
onwards. 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.
WHERE TO STAY
In Zangla accommodation can
be sought from the villagers either on payment or in exchange of a
suitable gift. Some monasteries may also take in guests, through
more as a gesture of goodwill than on purely commercial
consideration. Of course the guest is expected to compensate the
monastery suitably. There are well-furnished rooms also available
in the tourist Complex at Padum. There is catering arrangement in
the complex, while camping place nearby is available for budget
tourists travelling with personal tents. Padum town has several
private hotels where rooms with basic facilities are available. At
Karsha dormitory accommodation is available in the newly build inn
where basic vegetarian food is also provided.
NEARBY CITIES
Padum: 35-km
Stongdey: 16-km
Karsha: 25-km
