Hemis Gumpa (Monastery) is one of the biggest Gumpas of  Tibetan Buddhism (Vijaryana Buddhism) . The biggest and by far the best known monastery of Ladakh, situated at a distance of 40 kms from Leh- Manali road. The road to Hemis leaves the main road at about the 35th km, from Leh, and across the Indus. The monastery is not visible from the road as it is located in a side Valley. This monastery is dedicated to Guru Padmsambhava.

There are a number of gold statues decorated with precious stones in it. There are numerous tangkas on the walls of Hemis Gumpa, in these tangkas life of Buddha is described in a very beautiful manner. The biggest tangka is displayed once in eleven years.

The Hemis Gumpa is known far and wide for the annual fair which attracts tourists from different parts of the world; the main pull being the mystery plays, interspersed with lama dances, enacted on the occasion. The festival takes place in the month of June and this festival is known as Hemis festival.