Dhankar Monastery occupies one of the most audacious positions of any building in the Himalayas: a 12th-century complex clinging to a narrow ridge between two river valleys, with sheer drops on multiple sides and panoramic views in every direction. The approach alone, up a steep path from the village below, justifies the visit.
The old monastery contains ancient murals, thangkas, and a 14-armed clay figure of Vairochana Buddha that is considered one of the finest examples of early Tibetan Buddhist sculpture in existence. A newer monastery has been built slightly below, where the monks now actually live and conduct services, but the old ruins above are what most visitors come for. About an hour's walk above Dhankar brings you to Dhankar Lake, a high-altitude glacial lake with perfect reflections of the surrounding peaks on clear days.