The monastery of Stongdey lies 18
kms. To the north of Padum, on the road leading to Zangla. An old foundation
associated with the Tibetan Yogi, Marpa, Stongdey is now the second largest
monastic establishment of Zanskar, inhabited by the resident community of about
60 Gelukpa monks. The sprawling whitewashed complex has a number of temples,
each a repository of the region's rich monastic legacy. Stongdey can be reached
by foot in about 4 hours along the recently laid rough road. The climb up to the
monastery is rather strenuous, but it is worth the trouble for the breathtaking
scenery of the valley available from here.