Located at a height of about 3048m, is known for many important and beautiful monasteries and is famous for being the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso.
The beautiful town of Tawang, also pronounced as Dawang has many sceneries to make your trip a picturesque one. However, what begins to define the area is its significance for Buddhist monks. Tawang is the place to go for monasteries, with the Tawang Monastery being the most popular one and extremely sacred for the Buddhists. Tawang is a place that will flatter you with its natural beauty wrapped in the scent of spirituality. The beautiful orchid sanctuary and the Tipi Orchid Sanctuary is also an ideal place for your list of places to visit. Along with this one can have their taste buds to have an experience of Tawang by indulging in the area's unique cuisine.
Best Time To Visit :
March to September is the best time to visit Tawang. Tawang is an ideal place during the summers and most of the monsoon season, but a frigid zone during the winter season. The summers are pleasant and monsoons relatively cooler. In winters, however, the temperature drops to 1-3 degrees celsius, and the snowfall might affect the accessibility.
Places To Visit :
1. Sela Pass :
One of the most breathtaking places in the Himalayan vista, Sela Pass is a lifeline for the people of Arunachal Pradesh, and it is as heavenly as it gets. The Sela Pass and Himalayas combine to enchant one and all by their mystic beauty. One of the most stunning gifts of nature to the North-East, Sela Pass is a lifeline for the people of Arunachal Pradesh as it is the only way that connects the Tawang district of the state to the rest of the country. Besides its geographical importance, Sela Pass is a breathtaking place always covered in snow providing some beautiful views of the eastern Himalayan range. The rocky pass is also home to one of Arunachal's most beautiful lakes - the Sela Lake. Being a sensitive region, one needs an inner line permit to visit Sela Pass.
Sela Pass
2 . Tawang Monastery :
Located amidst the picturesque surroundings, the Tawang Monastery also known as the Golden Namgyal Lhatse is one of the gems in Arunachal Pradesh. Perched at the height of 3,000 meters above sea level, it has been recognized as the second-largest monastery in the world, the first one being Lhasa. The monastery is believed to be 400 years old and has control over 17 gompas in the region. Built as a large mansion, it is an abode for over 300 monks. Lying amidst the Himalayan ranges, it offers a breathtaking view of the Tawang-Chu valley. One of the most prominent attractions in the monastery houses is the massive statue of Lord Buddha which is 8 meters in height.
Tawang Monastery
3 . Madhuri Lake :
Being home to the Himalayas, Arunachal Pradesh is home to many beautiful lakes but none as beautiful and enrapturing as the Madhuri Lake also known as Sangetsar Lake. One of the remotest lakes of the country and perhaps of the world as well, Sangetsar or Madhuri Lake is a breathtaking combination of rocky mountains and an ever-present lake whose beauty is beyond spellbinding. The lake was made popular due to its appearance in the Bollywood movie Koyla and is also known as Madhuri Lake named after the lead actress in the movie.
The Madhuri Lake located at an altitude of 12,000 ft above sea level just 30 km north-east of Tawang, is a sight to behold, tucked between huge mountains in the heart of the Himalayas with many upright tree trunks standing in its belly as if guarding the lake. It holds a very special place in the hearts of Buddhists of both India and nearby Tibet who come here every year to pray. Madhuri Lake is a bounty of nature that amazes you, dazzles you, and rejuvenates your soul.
Madhuri Lake
4 . Nuranang Falls :
A largely unknown and virgin place, deep in the forest of Tawang, Nuranang Falls offers a pristine and beautiful experience. One of the most spectacular waterfalls in the country, the Nuranang Falls is a beautiful white sheet of water that descends from a height of about 100 meters. Part of the Nuranang River which originates at Sela Pass, Nuranang Falls is largely unknown to the popular tourist trail making it an offbeat and tranquil spot. Popular as the BTK waterfall, the Bap Ten Kang has crystal clear water which elevates your spirits and encourages you to indulge in swimming.
Nuranang Falls
5 . Tawang War Memorial :
A 40 feet colorful structure, the War Memorial is dedicated to all the martyrs of the Sino-India War of 1962. Lying in the bosom of the beautiful peaks of the Himalayas, this memorial overlooks the scenic Tawang-Chu valley.
Tawang War Memorial
6 . Gorichen Peak :
Gorichen Peak is the highest peak of Arunachal Pradesh and it is located between Tawang and West Kameng districts of Arunachal Pradesh. Situated at an altitude of 22,500 feet above sea level, this peak is roughly 164 kilometers from Tawang.
The peak is locally known as Sa-Nga Phu, which literally means the Kingdom of Deity, and is considered to be one of the sacred peaks protecting them from all the evils according to the local Monpa tribe. This peak is great trekking and mountaineering spots.
How To Reach :
You need to buy a pass to enter the town which can be bought from Kolkata, New Delhi, Guwahati, or Tezpur. However, even after this, reaching Tawang is not an easy task. It is a 16-hour car drive from Guwahati. Booking a taxi for the ride is a good idea. It is advisable to break your journey at either Bomdila or Dirang. However, the hilly drive is pristinely clear and heartwarmingly astounding. The drive may be rough, but the picturesque surroundings compensate for that.
1 . By Flight :
The airport nearest to Tawang is 143 km away in Tezpur. While Tezpur is connected by flights to Kolkata and Guwahati, international travelers can travel to Tawang via the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati. Cars and cabs are easily available from both the airports to Tawang.
2 . By Road :
Tawang is well connected to Tezpur (Assam) and Bomdila via regular buses and taxis. Though the cities are close to Tawang, the journey takes a long time due to the rough roads. However, the scenery is worth the arduous journey.
3 . By Train :
Tawang has no railway station. The nearest railway station is at Tezpur. You can hire a cab or car from Tezpur to reach Tawang.
4 . Local Transport :
The sightseeing within the town can be completed in half a day, and it is best to book a taxi for that. The other section of sightseeing involves moving outside the town. A vehicle like Sumo would be more suited for the purpose. One day is enough to cover these sights, although the roads are not in excellent shape.
