Ladakh and Spiti Valley: Earthen Buildings in the Himalayan Regions

Vernacular architecture in Spiti Valley and Ladakh is a strong feature of the Tibetan Buddhist culture. It results from the adaptation to the harsh environment, climate, and the employment of available natural resources. This article reports on two separate trips in 2019, each lasting about two weeks (Spiti Valley in October and Ladakh in November), during which we traversed the Rohtang Pass, visited the villages of Tabo, Basgo, the monastery complex of Thiksey Gompa, the Kaza Eco-Community Centre, and the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh in Phey.