Ladakh's 'moonland,' a captivating destination with a unique topography reminiscent of the lunar surface, is drawing tourists from across the globe with its extraordinary resemblance to the lunarscape.
Located in the scenic village of Lamayuru on the Srinagar-Leh highway, about 100 kilometres from Leh, this extraordinary landscape has become a must-visit spot for travellers.
While Lamayuru has long been renowned for its ancient monasteries, it is now gaining fame for its surreal moonscape, which many believe closely resembles the moon's surface.
The area has become particularly popular among travellers and content creators, who often visit at sunset to capture the enchanting play of light and shadow across its ridges.
Local legends attribute these unusual geological formations to a large lake that dried up over time, leaving behind a landscape that resembles the lunar landscape.
Dr. Binita Phartiyal, a geological scientist, described the landscape as strange, without vegetation, having very little air, and having low pressure that reflects exactly like the surface of the moon.
One of the tourists from Delhi told reporters after visiting the place with his family that he was amazed at its scenic beauty and its resemblance to the moon's surface.
Rajath, a habitual traveller, said he had travelled to several countries and had never experienced anything like this anywhere.
"The scenes here are spectacular, giving the impression of actually being on the moon. I've travelled to several countries, but I have never seen anything like this. It's worth visiting, and I encourage everyone to see it at least once in their lifetime," he said.
As Moonland's popularity continues to rise, there is a growing call for sustainable tourism practices to preserve its unique environment.
Visitors emphasise the importance of cooperation between authorities and tourists to protect this geological wonder for future generations. "This place is a treasure, and we must do everything we can to protect it," another tourist added.
A content creator from Jammu who likes to explore food, culture, and landscape expressed his awe for the landscape, saying, "We have our moonland in Ladakh, and you won't find any place like it on Earth."
"I've been travelling through Ladakh for ten days and came back specifically to see this place again." Sharma also emphasised the need for preservation, urging authorities to protect the area from tourist damage.
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