Once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Zanskar, Padum at 3505 mt is the present day administrative head-quarters of the region. With a population of nearly 1500, Padum can be described as the most populous settlement of Zanskar, otherwise a very scarcely inhabited valley. Incidentally, it is only in Padum that there is a community of Muslims constituting nearly half of the township's population, it's origin in the area dating from mid 17th century. Lately, Padum has become famous as a major trekking base and a popular tourist destination.

Several places of tourist interest in the vicinity of the township can be visited in the course of entertaining walks. The nearest monument is a set of ancient rock carving on a huge boulder near the river bank, just below the old township.  These dates from the 8th century and provide epigraphic evidence that the region was under the influence of north Indian Buddhism since ancient times. The Starrimo monastery, with about 30 resident monks, clings to a tree-covered ridge above the old town. Across the expanse of cultivation lies the old village of Pibiting, dominated by it's picturesque hill-top monastery, a superb manifestation of stupa architecture.