11 Top Amazing Places to See in Tawang in 2024

Places To See In Tawang 

Tawang is a magnificent Himalayan town in the same-named district of Arunachal Pradesh, India. It is bordered on the north by the Tibetan region of China, and on the west and south by Bhutan. The district is home to many spectacular landscapes, fantastic views of hills and valleys, and a large number of gorgeous lakes at an elevation of around 3050m / 10000 feet above sea level. Despite that there are a lot of places to see in Tawang and has a lot of natural features, it’s not well-known and is the Tibetan Buddhist monk community’s last refuge.

Tawang is 555 kilometers from Guwahati and 320 kilometers from Tezpur. It has a pleasant and temperate climate. Tawang receives far less rainfall in the winter than it does in the summer.  A well-planned road trip to Tawang from Guwahati’s plains is a mountain lover’s dream.
So, if you want to go somewhere isolated, a little less busy, and breathtakingly gorgeous, you’ve come to the correct location to plan your next vacation!

History of Tawang :

Tawang is endowed with natural resources, but it also has a rich history. Historically, Tawang was a part of Tibet. The 5th Dalai Lama’s wishes and recommendations led to the construction of Tawang Monastery in 1681, which is currently the world’s second-largest monastery, behind Lhasa’s Patola Monastery.
Tibet designated a frontier, known as the McMohan Line in 1914, according to the Shimla Agreement, which lost many square kilometers of land to British-occupied India.

This includes the Tawang district, and Tawang is now a part of India as a result of this. Although the McMohan line was an agreement between India and Tibet, China ignored it as an international border when Tibet was taken over; believing Tibet was not a sovereign entity capable of signing such treaties.

How to reach Tawang :

Guwahati, which is 450–500 kilometers away, is the nearest airport. There are airways available for a short getaway from Guwahati to Tawang. Guwahati, in Assam, is the closest railway station.
In terms of public transportation, numerous shared Tata Sumos run between Guwahati/Tezpur and Tawang. It may sometimes be congested, but it is the most cost-effective method to get to Tawang.

Tezpur in Assam, Bhalukpong, Bomdila, and Dirang are the most popular routes to Tawang.
Another less-traveled route from Guwahati is via Udalguri, Bhairabkunda, Rupa, Bomdila, and Dirang. The majority of this route is in good condition, and there are very few vehicles on it.

The roads from Dirang to Tawang are in poor shape at some points. Also, reaching Tawang at one go from Guwahati is impossible. As a result, stopping at Bomdila or Dirang and continuing to Tawang through Sela Pass the next day is recommended.

Permits required:

Only those with an Inner Line Permit (for Indians living outside of Arunachal Pradesh) or a Protected Area Permit (for foreign nationals) are permitted to enter Arunachal Pradesh. You can apply for ILP online or in person at Deputy Commissioner’s Offices in Guwahati, Delhi, Kolkata, Shillong, and other important Assam cities. It takes roughly 2-3 working days to get the permit if you apply online, and one day to receive the soft copy of the ILP after you pay the price. You can also receive a permit at the Bhalukpong entry gate, but it will take about 2-3 hours.

Best time to visit:

Tawang’s climate varies from cold to bitterly cold. The greatest time to visit is from mid-September until the end of November when the weather is at its most pleasant. It’s also an excellent time to visit after the winter (February to April) when the weather is mild.

The temperature drops to well below zero during the winter months, and snowfall makes it difficult to arrive on time. When the weather is terrible, Army soldiers may refuse to let you continue driving.

It is advised to avoid driving or riding during the rain because the roads are in bad shape. The roads become mushy, making driving/riding much more difficult.

Where to stay:

A few basic hotels are available in all places to see in Tawang. Near the market area, there are several inexpensive and budget hotels. After getting the necessary permits, you can also stay at the Government Tourist Lodge or the Circuit House. However, if you are looking for a luxurious stay, your alternatives are restricted.

Places To See in Tawang

Tawang Monastery-

One of the most beautiful places to see in Tawang, the primary attraction, is the Tawang Monastery, also known as the Gaden Namgye Lhatse. It is also India’s largest monastery. The monastery, which is perched majestically on a mountaintop and overlooks the entire Tawang district, is regarded as a wonderful work of art and the nucleus of Buddhist culture and history. A monk named Mera Lama founded the monastery in 1680 to propagate Buddhism’s tenets. Currently, there are around 400 monks living at the monastery.

The Parkhang Library is a historic building that preserves ancient texts. Within the monastery is a museum that houses religious artifacts and antiquities from Tibet and Tawang. It is reputed to be one of India’s largest monasteries, and its grandeur has attracted tourists not only from India but from all over the world.
The sound of Tibetan music in the prayer hall creates a profound spiritual mood that is pretty hard to miss.

Urgelling Monastery –

The Dalai Lama VI was born at Urgelling Monastery, a 400-year-old monastery and one of the best places to see in tawang. During the Mongol attacks and the conflict between the Tibetans and the Bhutanese, this monastery was destroyed. Today, only a portion of the monastic structure survives. It is a peaceful and secluded location with few people. The Holy Dalai Lama VI erected a sacred tree, which is revered and worshipped by the villagers.
During the attack by the Mongols, in order to save the gold and silver statues and scriptures relocated from this monastery to Tawang monastery. Desi Sangye Gyamtso entrusted Chong-gye Gonpo Rabten with the task of restoring and expanding the monastery in 1699.

A two-story main temple, an eight-pillared assembly hall, a four-pillared altar room, a two-pillared chapel of protective deities, residential quarters for the sixth Dalai Lama, a Ka-gyur house, a chapel for the practise of new Tantra, a huge courtyard with twenty pillars, and twenty rooms for monks were among the prominent structures of the new establishment.

The monastery is only 3 kilometres from Tawang and may be accessed on foot or by taxi. It is one of the best places to see in tawang. A stroll through Urgyelling Village is welcomed.

Tawang War Memorial –

The war memorial was erected in honor of the soldiers who died in the Indo-China conflict of 1962, which took place in this area. A lovely stupa can be found at the memorial. The best feature is that it contains the names of all 2420 Indian soldiers who served in the conflict. Several items from the 1962 war are also on display. A visit to this location will undoubtedly make you proud of our military personnel.

Snow-capped mountains and craggy hills can be seen in a 360-degree circle from the memorial’s grounds, which provides a tranquil and serene ambiance. Several flags, including the National Flag, the Army Flag, the Air Force Flag, and the flags of the 27 other regiments that fought in the war, fly high around the stupa.

Nuranang Falls-

Nuranang Falls is one of eastern India’s most beautiful waterfalls.It is simply a beautiful sigh, falling from a towering height of 100 meters. It is also known as the Jang falls and is located about 2 kilometers from the city near the Jang settlement. It rises on the northern slopes of the famed Sela Pass, descends into the Nuranang River, and eventually flows into the Tawang River.

There’s another folklore around the waterfall’s name. Nuranang River and Nuranang Falls are named after Nura, a local Monpa girl who assisted Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat, a Maha Vir Chakra awardee soldier, during the Sino-Indian War in 1962, but was later captured by Chinese forces. It is not only a stunning Arunachal Pradesh attraction, but it is also used to generate electricity for local consumption.

This magnificent waterfall is one of Arunachal Pradesh’s tourism highlights. The verdant mountains’ unusual wildlife, the vast river’s high-octane two-drop jump, and the overall peaceful scenery provide the best picture prospects for photographers.

 Sela Pass-

On the road to Tawang, you’ll pass via Sela pass. This is one of India’s highest motorable passes. You can stop at the pass to relax your sore backs after a hard ride and take in the spectacular views that surround you. Your journey will be remembered for the snow-capped peaks and the colourful flying Buddhist prayer flags. Move a little higher to observe the stunning Sela Lake.

The Sela Pass is one of India’s most significant passes. It runs between Tawang and Tezpur, as well as the rest of India.

Jaswant Garh-

Jaswant Garh is a small village on the way to Tawang, around 25 kilometers from the city. In the gorgeous backdrop, there is also a war memorial honoring the courageous martyrs of the Indian army during the 1962 Sino-Indian conflict. The memorial is dedicated to Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat of the Garhwal Rifles Infantry Regiment’s 4th. During the battle, Jaswant Singh was an unusually heroic soldier who fought and held off the invading Chinese army for 72 hours on his own. Before succumbing to an enemy bullet at an altitude of 10,000 feet, he did not move from his post. In honor of his tenacity and bravery, he was posthumously given the Mahavir Chakra. After him, the point he held to repel the Chinese assault was named Jaswant Garh.

Bumla Border-

Beyond Tawang, the environment opens up to stunning landscape and a variety of scenery that serves as nature’s eye candy. You can visit the Bumla Border while visiting Madhuri Lake. Only Indian citizens are permitted to cross the border. It is the Indo-China border, which is roughly 37 kilometres from Tawang city and is located at a height of 16000 feet.

The road conditions are poor, but the visual splendour compensates for the inconvenience. The location is a must-see in Arunachal Pradesh. It immediately instils a sense of patriotism, especially after witnessing soldiers guarding the border in such tense conditions.

The Dalai Lama reached India along this pass. It is best to travel to Bumla Pass for sightseeing on a clear day with no chance of snowfall or rain, and to hire an SUV because the route is dangerous. Bumla Pass can only be accessed with permission. To obtain the permits, you must first go to the Tawang District Deputy Commissioner’s Office and then to the Indian army cantonment in Tawang. The army post on the border is exceedingly welcoming. They will also invite you for a cup of tea and will be delighted to tell you about their lives.

Lake Hopping –

The Tawang district has a total of 108 lakes. Some are well-known and give relaxing panoramas for your eyes. The lake’s crystal blue waters, together with the peaceful ambiance, are an absolute treat for tired eyes and souls. Sangetsar Lake, also known as Madhuri Lake, P. T. Tso Lake, and Sela Lake is among the most well-known.

Sangester Lake(Madhuri Lake)

Many natural marvels abound in Arunachal Pradesh, but the Sangestar Tso Lake is without a doubt the most recent gift from Mother Nature. Until fairly recently, the terrain was a prairie or grassland. This lake emerged overnight after the earthquake in 1971, around 40 kilometres from Tawang, the region’s main hub. Sangestar Tso Lake is a sight to behold.

The Sangestar Tso Lake’s visual appearance truly soars off the charts, nestled in the lap of lofty snow-capped Himalayan Mountains and caressed by the stunningly verdant valley of the terrain. Sangestar Tso Lake is also a well-known filming location. It is best known for the Bollywood film Koyla, which was released in the 1990s. The panorama of the entire region from a higher location in the mountains is truly breathtaking, and the lovely Sangestar Tso Lake is particularly enticing.

P.T tso Lake

Another lake in Arunachal Pradesh is Pankang Teng Tso Lake. This lake, also known as P.T. Tso., is one of the most remarkable lakes in the region, surrounded by Mother Nature’s brilliance and beauty. This Arunachal Pradesh must-see site is framed by the snow-capped Himalayan Mountains and the gushing cool waters of the rivers.

The drive to Pankang Teng Tso lake is a pleasant 17 kilometres long, with a white backdrop. This site is famous in Arunachal Pradesh because it has two contrasting atmospheres: during the winters, it is very nice with blue lapis flowers, and during the summers, it is very pleasant with cool, quiet, and everything white with fluffy snow-covered surroundings.

Sela Lake

Sela Pass or Sela Lake is named after Sela, a tribal woman who used to deliver food and water to an Indian Army soldier named Jaswant Singh Rawant, who battled alone against Chinese soldiers near the Pass in the Sino-Indian conflict in 1962 and died. Jaswant Singh Rawant was given the Maha Vir Chakra for his bravery and devotion to service in the Indian army. There is a twin lake on top of Sela Pass, which is known as Sela Lake. The setting is appealing, as is the view of the lake.

Zemithang Village

Visit the Zemithang village to learn about the Monpa tribe’s way of life, customs, and culture. Zemithang is an excellent area to photograph landscapes and portraits. Because few tourists travel thus far, the area is virtually undisturbed being an ideal location for experiencing the raw tribal way of life. Explore some of the important to-see attractions in the area during your vacation, such as the Gorsam Chorten, which is said to have been built in the early 12th century. Not to add, no matter where you look along the road, you will be greeted with breathtaking views.

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