Zorawar Fort, Leh

Zorawar Fort stands on Skara Road in Leh, Ladakh, about 7 minutes from Leh Palace. Zorawar Singh, a general of the Dogra ruler Gulab Singh, built it in 1836 after leading the invasion of Ladakh and deposing its last Gyalpo.

The fort now holds a museum of royal treasures, coins and postage stamps, and a light and sound show tells the story of Ladakh. Leh is reached by road from Srinagar (434 km, two days by public transport) or Manali (474 km, about 20 hours by bus), though both routes open only in summer. In winter, flying to Leh Airport is the only way in.