Towards the end of the 9th century, the Tibetan prince Kyide Nyimagon (Skyid lde nyima gon), a great-grandson of the Tibetan king, Langdarma, established a small kingdom in Guge, which eventually grew to encompass the whole of western Tibet up to the Zoji La mountain pass.

Several towns and castles are said to have been founded by Nyimagon, and he apparently ordered the construction of the main sculptures at Shey.

In an inscription, he says he had them made for the religious benefit of the Tsanpo (the dynastical name of his father and ancestors), and of all the people of Ngari (Western Tibet).

Shey is located in the upper Indus Valley, just 15 km east of the modern capital of Ladakh, Leh.

[5] The Druk White Lotus School, whose patrons include the 14th Dalai Lama and Richard Gere, is also located in Shey.