Suhail Bhat
Lamayuru, June 25: Ladakh’s ‘Moonland,’ with its unique topography resembling the lunar surface, has become an increasingly popular destination, captivating visitors from around the world.
This extraordinary landscape lies in the picturesque village of Lamayuru on Srinagar-Leh highway, approximately 100 kilometers from Leh. While Lamayuru has long been known for its ancient monasteries, it is now drawing tourists for its moonscape, a surreal terrain that many believe closely resembles the lunar surface.
This distinctive region has become an essential stop for travellers and content creators alike, who often spend time, particularly at sunset, to witness the mesmerizing interplay of light and shadow across its ridges. “We have our own moonland in Ladakh, and you would not find any such place elsewhere on Earth. I have been traveling through Ladakh for the last ten days and came back specifically to see this place again,” Akash Sharma, a content creator from Jammu, said.
Sharma, however, voiced concerns about preserving this unique landscape. “I want the authorities to preserve this place and not allow tourists to ruin the landscape,” he emphasized.
Local legends suggest that this area was once a large lake that dried up over time, resulting in these unusual geological formations that now evoke a sense of lunar exploration among tourists.
Rajath from Delhi, visiting with his family, was astonished by Moonland’s resemblance to the moon’s surface. “When I heard about it, I was curious to see what this place was all about. The scenes here are spectacular, giving the impression of actually being on the moon. I have travelled to several countries but have never seen such sights. It is worth coming here, and I encourage everyone to visit at least once in their lifetime.”
As the number of visitors to Moonland continues to grow, there is an increasing call for sustainable tourism practices to preserve its unique environment. The visitors said that to ensure that the beauty of Moonland remains unspoiled for future generations, authorities and tourists alike must work together to protect this geological wonder. “This place is a treasure, and we must do everything we can to protect it,” another tourist said.
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