Tawang is one of the top tourist destinations in Arunachal Pradesh. It is a beautiful small district in the western most part of the north-eastern state. Every year, thousands of people visit this valley to witness a marvellous scene of snow-covered mountains, monasteries, waterfalls, and much more. It is an absolute treat for all adventure seekers out there and no one goes disappointed from this happy valley.
Tourist permit: Tourists will require a permit to enter Arunachal Pradesh. It can either be availed online or offline.
Best time to visit: March-October
How to reach: Tawang can be reached by road. If you are travelling from Guwahati, you can go by public bus but the option is very few. Also, Tata Sumo goes from Tezpur. Better is to hire a cab from Guwahati or Tezpur.
The nearest airport is the Guwahati airport. From there you can hire a private car directly to Tawang or you can go to Tezpur and choose to travel by public transport from there.
The nearest railway station is Dekargaon Railway Station, Tezpur. You can hire a private car from there or you can travel by public transport.
1. Tawang Monastery
Photo by - Momo Irengbam
All tourists, religious or not, should make a stop at this beautiful three-storied monastery in Tawang, known as the Tawang Monastery. It is also called Gaden Namgyal Lhatse in the Tibetan language. The large compound of the monastery showcasing beauty, grace, and tranquility at every corner, enjoys the status of being the largest monastery in India and the third largest monastery in the world. Located at an elevation of about 10,000 feet, it serves its visitors a magnificent view of the Tawang Chu valley. This place is a major tourist attraction and you definitely don’t wanna leave it out of your bucket list.
Timings: 8:00 am - 7:00 pm
Entry fee: Nil
Distance from Tawang city: 2 km
2. Tawang War Memorial
As the name suggests, this is a memorial dedicated to all the brave Indian soldiers martyred during the Sino-Indian War in 1962. Names of all the martyrs are beautifully engraved on granite plates in this huge stupa shaped monument. One side of the memorial exhibits the maps, photographs and artifacts of the war heroes and the other side is meant for a wonderful light and sound show prepared specially for tourists. This light and sound show is a must watch if you want to feel the magnanimity of the Sino-Indian War.
Timings: 7:45 am - 6:00 pm
Entry fee: Nil, Rs. 30 per person for light and sound show
Distance from Tawang city: 1 km
3. Jaswant Garh War Memorial
Photo By Lotus Gogoi
Yet another beautiful memorial is the Jaswant Garh War memorial. It is named after the brave rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat who single handedly held back the Chinese army for about 72 hours during the Sino-Indian War. He was awarded the Maha Vir Chakra for his devout service towards the nation. Tourists visiting Tawang never forget to make a stop at this beautiful destination.
Timings: 8:30 am – 7:00 pm
Entry fee: Nil
Distance from Tawang city: 25 kms
4. Bum La Pass
Photo By Lotus Gogoi
This highly protected border area between China and India is a major tourist attraction in Tawang. What makes it famous historically is that the Dalai Lama entered India through this route. Located at a height of about 15,200 feet above sea level, Bum La greets visitors with a scenic view of snow covered landscapes. The road to Bum La is very challenging and dangerous and so, a good vehicle and a highly experienced driver are very essential. Tourists require a special permit to visit this place and it is important to note that only Indian citizens can request permit. It can be obtained from the office of the Deputy Commissioner in Tawang district.
Timing: No tourists allowed after 4 pm
Entry fee: Nil, entry permit mandatory
Distance from Tawang: 20.6 kms
How to reach: Hire a local SUV or sumo taxi. Only local vehicles are allowed.
5. Sangester Tso Lake/Maduri Lake
Photo by - Momo Irengbam
Sangester Tso Lake is an iconic lake formed from flash floods after the 1950 earthquake. It famously came to be known as Madhuri Lake after bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit shot a song for her film Koyla here. Winters provide an absolutely magical view of the lake with frozen waters and majestic mountains around it. It is about 7 km from the bifurcation of the road leading to Bum La Pass. A special permit is required to visit Madhuri Lake, which is provided only to Indian citizens. It can be applied at the office of the Deputy Commissioner in Tawang district.
Timing: No tourists allowed after 4 pm
Entry fee: Nil, entry permit mandatory
Distance from Tawang: 36.1 kms
How to reach: Hire a local SUV or sumo taxi. Only local vehicles are allowed.
6. Nuranang Falls
Photo By Lotus Gogoi
You must have seen a hundred or more waterfalls in your lifetime, but you definitely haven’t seen one that is as majestic as the Nuranang falls. Also known as Jang Falls, this waterfall is located on the road connecting Bomdila and Tawang and serves tourists with a view that is worth remembering for a lifetime. Shah Rukh Khan’s iconic scene in the movie Koyla was also shot at this place.
Timings: None but it is advisable to travel before dusk
Entry fee: Nil
Distance from Tawang: 30 kms
How to reach: Hire a private car to have the best experience.
