An Unforgettable Adventure: Trekking Through the Majestic Tawang

Introduction

The Tawang tourist destination is located in the north-western region of Arunachal Pradesh state of India, on the border with Bhutan. Let us tell you that Tawang is at an altitude of 2669 meters above sea level. Dalai Lama’s birthplace is also known as Tawang, a popular tourist destination. It has many attractive monasteries which have special significance for Buddhist monks.

It is a land of religious importance has become a favorite destination for tourists due to its natural beauty and holy places.

Arunachal, located at the north-eastern tip of India, is very famous among tourists due to its specialties. This region, full of beautiful views of the Himalayas, is the first to salute the rising sun. Arunachal, touching the borders of Bhutan, Tibet, and Myanmar, hides many gems for travelers. Tourists coming here spend their holidays visiting popular places here and then come back.

Its History

Tawang is a beautiful hill station in Arunachal Pradesh which is known for its natural beauty and rich history. This is the place which is located on the India-China border and is considered the center of Tibetan Buddhist culture. We are going to take a tour through Tawang’s past today and discover how this little town has been a confluence of civilizations for centuries.

early history:

The earliest evidence of this place backs to the 7th century when the region was ruled by the Tibetan king Kalawangpo. He is believed to have named the Tawang Valley, which means “plain of the kiss”. In the 14th century, Buddhism spread in Tawang and many monasteries were built here. The most famous of these is Tawang Monastery, built by Merak Lama Lodre Gyasto in 1680.

17th to 19th century:

During the 17th century, This place emerged as an important trading center between Bhutan and Tibet. During this period, several political upheavals also occurred in the region. In 1844, the British East India Company claimed it and made it part of British India. However, under the Simla Convention in 1914, This place was recognized as part of Tibet.

20th century and beyond:

During the India-China War in 1962, It was captured by China. But, India soon took back the area. After this war, This place was made a restricted area and it was difficult for outsiders to come here. In 1996, It was opened to Indian tourists and gradually became a popular tourist destination.

Places to visit

There are some lovely breathtaking places to visit here which are as follows :

Tawang Sela Pass

Sela Pass is considered to be the best tourist destination here which is at a distance of 75 km from Tawang. This place is at a very high altitude and the Paradise Lake located here is the most beautiful, which most of the tourists come here to see. Apart from this, you can also see many Buddhist caves here and there is snowfall most of the time, so this place is a must-visit. If you are visiting this place then you need to visit Sela Pass.

Tawang Monastery

One of the major attractions of tourism here, Tawang Monastery is also known as Golden Namgyal Lhase. Let us tell you that This Monastery is one of the major gems of Arunachal Pradesh. This fascinating place is situated at an altitude of about 3,000 meters above sea level and has the status of the second largest monastery in the world, although Lhasa Monastery occupies the first place. The history of the monastery states that it is 400 years old and was built as a large mansion that served as home to over 300 monks.

War Memorial Tawang

The structure of the Tawang War Memorial is 40 feet high and this war memorial is dedicated to all the martyrs of the India-China War of 1962. Let us tell you that the view of Nawang-Chu Valley from the Tawang War Memorial is worth seeing.

Gorichen Peak

The tallest mountain in the state of Arunachal Pradesh is called Gorichen Peak. Let us tell you that it is located between the Tawang and West Kameng districts of Arunachal Pradesh and is situated at an altitude of 22,500 feet above sea level. The distance between Gorichen Peak and Tawang is approximately 57 kilometers. Tourists fond of trekking can visit Gorichen Peak. The highest peak is known as Sa-Nga Phu.

Madhuri Lake Tawang

Madhuri Lake is located at an altitude of 12,000 feet above sea level, just 30 km northeast of this place. Madhuri Lake is one of the most inaccessible lakes in the country and perhaps the world, this lake is a breathtaking combination of rocky mountains and an evergreen lake whose beauty will leave you mesmerized.

The lake became popular with its appearance in the Bollywood film Koyla and is also known as Madhuri Lake after the lead actress in the film. The best months to visit Madhuri Lake are between October to November and March to May as the cold subsides a bit during this time. To go to Madhuri Lake, you can easily reach Tawang by taking a bus or taxi.

Pankang Teng Tso Lake

Peng Teng Tso Lake is located about 25 km from Tawang City, this place is an ideal tourist destination. Its very peaceful environment mesmerizes the tourists. The is a calm water lake that gives a spectacular view of the Himalayas. This lake is a beautiful tourist attraction that you should not miss while visiting here. You can reach this lake from Tawang by bus or taxi.

Tawang Nuranang Falls

Nuranang Waterfall is located 80 km from this city. Nuranang Falls is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in the country, a beautiful white sheet of waterfalls from a height of about 100 meters. Nuranang Falls is largely unknown as a popular tourist destination, making it an isolated and tranquil place.

At the falls you can visit the hydropower plant which generates electricity for the surrounding areas from the power of the falls. You can reach here comfortably by booking a bus or taxi from this city. Nooranang Falls is one of the best on the tourist route from Tawang to Bomdila. Before continuing your journey to Bomdila, spend three hours at the waterfall.

Culture of Tawang:

The culture of this place is mainly influenced by Tibetan Buddhism. The people here belong to the Monpa tribe, who have their unique traditions and customs. Many festivals are celebrated in Tawang, the most important of which is Losar, the Tibetan New Year festival.

Sightseeing places in here:

There are many beautiful places to visit here, some of the prominent ones are:

Tawang Monastery: The second largest Buddhist monastery in the world, home to more than 500 monks.
Sela Pass: A high mountain pass located on the India-China border, known for its spectacular views.
Nurnang Waterfall: A beautiful waterfall located in Tawang Valley.
Gorichen Peak: The highest mountain peak here, from where a panoramic view of the entire city is visible.

Inner Line Permit (ILP) For Tawang

Please also be informed that when you plan to visit this place then you will need an Inner Line Permit. Inner Line Permit to travel to this place can be obtained from the office of the Resident Commissioner of Arunachal in Guwahati or Tezpur. Inner Line Permit is checked at the Bhalukpong border crossing while going to Tawang. You can also get an Inner Line Permit made online through the official website of Arunachal, Arunachalilp.Com. You can get the permit by giving any document.

Best Time To Visit Tawang

The best time to visit this place is considered to be from March to September. Let us tell you that Tawang tourism is considered ideal to visit during summer and monsoon. During the winter season, the temperature here reaches 1-3 degrees Celsius and snowfall is seen. Let us tell you that the ideal time to visit this place is considered to be two days.

How To Reach Tawang

Air Route– This place is located in Arunachal Pradesh. There is no airport here. The nearest airport is Tezpur in Assam. Which is about 317 kilometers away from here. Regular flights are available to Tezpur from Kolkata and Silchar, however, Guwahati Airport is more convenient to reach here from other parts of the country. Which is about 480 kilometers away from Tawang. After getting down from Guwahati, you can reach Tezpur in four hours and you can also travel to Tawang by road.

In 2014, the Government of Arunachal Pradesh also started a helicopter service connecting Guwahati and Tawang. This service is available only twice a week.

Road– The road is the most popular and easiest means to reach Tawang. You can reach here by hiring a taxi or by bus. Arunachal Pradesh State Road Transport buses run regularly from various cities of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh. It is a hilly area so it can be reached only by road.

Railways– There is no railway station here, the nearest is Rangpara Railway Station which is in Assam. The distance from Rangpara to Tawang is approximately 383 kilometers. More than 80 railway stations in the country are directly connected to Rangapara Railway Station. After getting down to the railway station, you can travel further by cab or bus.

Where to stay in Tawang

If you plan to travel here and would also like to visit its major tourist places, if you are looking for a good place to stay, then you will find low-budget to high-budget hotels here. Based on your budget and convenience, you can select the hotel of your choice.

How much will it cost to visit Tawang?

Friends, due to this place being at a very high altitude, there are fewer and fewer vehicles here, hence the cost of visiting here increases a bit, but it is better to go and see it yourself once rather than hearing about a place all your life. If you do this trip alone then it can cost you 15000 INR and if you are planning this trip with friends or your family then you can visit Tawang and its surrounding places for 10000 INR.

Conclusion:

Tawang’s natural beauty and rich history are sure to attract you. For centuries, it has been a confluence of different cultures and even today one can see the vibrant existence of Tibetan Buddhist culture here. If you are ever planning to visit Arunachal Pradesh, then do not forget to include this great place in your trip.

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