Located in the Northwestern part of Arunachal Pradesh is the hill station of Tawang. The place offers a unique experience to travellers, complete with history, culture and food among other things. Here’s your guide to travelling to the mountain destination, and all you need to know about the place. By Anushka Goel
History of Tawang
Tawang, located in Arunachal Pradesh, shares one border with Tibet (China) and one with Bhutan. The stunning Himalayan destination is not too easy to reach, but makes for a picturesque destination. Complete with snow-capped peaks, pleasant lakes, a congenial climate, and friendly and hospitable people is lucrative enough for tourists. The sleepy town is also the birthplace of the sixth Dalai Lama, as well as the destination of the Sino-Indian War. This gives it a rich, historical past which is definitely worth exploring.
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Apart from all this, the destination has surreal mountain views, hamlets, sleepy villages, magical Gompas, tranquil lakes and a lot more, allowing you to get up, close and personal with nature, culture and religion.
Tawang is home to several monasteries, including the Tawang Monastery (which has given the town its name). This monastery is the largest in the whole world, and has been around for years now. The place evokes a sense of calm and composure that is unique to the town, and all this combined with its ethereal beauty, abundance of flora and fauna and views that you can stare at for hours, makes it a popular travel destination among nature and adventure enthusiasts.
Best time to visit the town
Summers and monsoon are the ideal times to visit the Northeastern destination, as the ambient weather and manageable temperature will ensure that you are comfortable as you walk around and explore its beauty. So, plan your trip between March-October, avoiding the peak rainfall season in this period, for the trip of a lifetime.
Things to do at Tawang
Tawang Monastery
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Tawang Monastery is the largest monastery in the whole world, and draws in pilgrims, monks and tourists every year. The place can house up to 700 monks, and overlooks the Tawang district, offering some of the best views in town. The main altar here has a tall Buddha statue, about 27 feet in height, which is among the major attractions here.
Urgelling Monastery
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Urgelling Monastery is the birthplace of Dalai Lama VI. The monastery is about 400 years old, and was destroyed during the Mongol attacks and Tibetan-Bhutanese battle. Today, a few remnants of the place remain, along with a sacred tree planted by the Dalai Lama. The place offers a serene, peaceful environment which draws visitors.
Jaswant Garh Memorial
Nestled amid the snow-capped peaks, a little ahead of Sela, is the Jaswant Garh War Memorial. The place is dedicated to the Indian Army sepoy, who lost his life in the Sino-Indian War and was later awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his bravery.
Sela Pass
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Drive on one of the highest motorable passes in the world when you cross Sela Pass. The place offers breathtaking views as well as the Sela Lake, a pristine, clear water body that will surely have your heart!
Bum La Pass
About 37 kilometres from Tawang is the Bum La pass, an important location in Tawang. The place is known for its mesmerising beauty and makes for a great spot for sightseeing. However, be sure to pre-plan your visit here, as you need permits to be able to visit.
See the Lakes
Legend has it that Tawang is home to about 101 lakes. While you may not be able to visit them all, be sure to witness the clear waters and blue sky views from at least a few of them.
Nuranang Waterfall
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The magnificent waterfall falls from a height of 100 metres, making it a sight to watch. The beautiful waterfall also often witnesses rainbows and will make your photography sessions all the more special here.
How to reach the place
The nearest airport is in Tezpur, Assam. From here, book a taxi to cover the distance, which will take you through mesmerising views, clean air, clear skies and more.
Distance from Tezpur: 331 kilometres
Tawang trip cost
Six-night tour packages to Tawang cost about INR 28,000 per person, on an average.
Hero and Featured Image: Courtesy of Soumyajit Dash/Unsplash
Related: Soon, You’ll Be Able To Board A Toy Train In Arunachal Pradesh’s Tawang
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Answer: Six days are enough to explore Tawang.
Answer: Winter clothes, including warm jackets and gloves, as the weather can get pretty chilly there.
Answer: Summers and monsoon, between March to September, are the best months to visit Arunachal Pradesh.
Written By
Anushka Goel
Anushka has previously worked with publications such as the Times of India and Being Indian. A graduate from Xavier Institute of Communications, she specialises in entertainment, food and travel. She also likes to write about sustainability and beauty. When not working, you can catch her reading a book, tending to her plants, cooking or playing an instrument.
