Visiting Tawang? Explore this region in the heart of Arunachal Pradesh, India
Visit enchanting Tawang, a hidden gem in western Arunachal Pradesh, which lies like a picturesque highland between China and Bhutan. Nestled in the majestic Himalayan Mountains, this area offers a wealth of natural wonders. From deep valleys to glittering rivers and impressive waterfalls, the landscape changes with every turn.
And as icing on the cake, snow-capped mountain peaks glitter like sentinels over this pristine nature. Prepare to be surprised by the pristine beauty and rich culture of Tawang, where adventure and serenity go hand in hand.
In the still inhospitable Himalayan region, you still come across quiet hamlets and sleepy villages. And of course the ancient gompas in the most beautiful valleys and imposing views.
My trip visiting Tawang region was provided by Sange from The Holiday Scout. Originally from Arunachal Pradesh, Sange talks passionately about the region and his mission is to give everyone a unique and local experience. He succeeded 100 per cent!
Where is Tawang?
Tawang is a district in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. The eponymous town of Tawang is located at an altitude of around 2,500 to over 3,000 metres in the Himalayan mountains. If you look at the map of Arunachal Pradesh, Tawang is almost against the border of Bhutan, located on the far left in the state
Visiting Tawang, you need to drive through the impressive Sela Pass at an altitude of over 4100 metres.
Where does the name Tawang finds its heritage?
The town of Tawang came into existence because a large Buddhist monastery was built there. This is where the name Tawang finds its origin. A Tibetan monk called Merag Lama Lodre Gyatso was looking for a place to build a monastery. When he was at his wit’s end because he could not find a suitable place he got off his horse and started meditating.
When he opened his eyes again after meditation, his horse had disappeared. After a search, he found his horse at the spot where Kala Wangpo’s palace once stood. Merag Lama thought this was a good omen and decided that the monastery should be built on that spot.
Ta means Horse and Wang means Chosen / Chosen one.
Altitude Sickness and visiting Tawang
Are you visiting Tawang? Then keep in mind that in the area around Tawang, you will quickly gain altitude metres. As mentioned earlier, the Tawang region lies between 1000 and 6800 metres altitude. Bring plenty of water and take your time when you go hiking or doing activities.
Also read these tips on how to prevent altitude sickness
How many days for Tawang?
You’re visiting the Tawang region? Then Tawang town is a perfect base. The city itself but the Tawang district has a lot to offer. So plan 3 to 4 days during your round trip to visit everything here. If you like slow travel, you could spend a week here and not get bored for a second.
Are you going to visit Tawang? Read on for all the highlights for Tawang
Sela Pass
If you are visiting the Tawang region, you will go through the Sela Pass. To get there, you will drive through an impressive tunnel. This tunnel is the world’s longest two-lane road tunnel and is a whopping 10 kilometres long at an altitude of 3,000 metres.
When I was there in winter, we suddenly emerged into a winter wonderland after the tunnel. After the tunnel, you climb several hundred metres to come out at Sela Lake and the gate at Sela Top. At that altitude, it was very windy which made it very cold.
Near this spot, just a little less on the plain, we walked into nature to take beautiful photos and enjoy the sun in an enchanting winter landscape. The wind had died down and we could really enjoy the place, the altitude and the impressive views in peace.
The name Sela is an ode to one of the daughters who played a heroic role in the following place.
Jaswant Garh War Memorial
On the way from Sela Pass to Tawang, we pass the Jaswant Garh War Memorial of the 1962 war with China. China then occupied part of Arunachal Pradesh. At this spot, Jaswant Singh Rawat, who was alone at the time of the invasion, managed to hold back the Chinese army for 72 hours. Jaswant Singh did this by placing weapons at strategic places that made the Chinese army think there was a large army present. Tragically, he was eventually killed because he was betrayed by an Indian man.
Why was Jaswant Singh betrayed?
The legend says that this was the father of 2 daughters named Sela and Nura. These daughters helped Jaswant where they could during this fierce fight. Father found this out and did not want his daughters to help a man and betrayed Jaswant so this stopped. The daughters’ father was also killed because: a traitor cannot be trusted.
Jaswant was killed by the Chinese and hanged from a tree. A piece of this tree is still on display in the small museum at this memorial site.
Visit the markets of Tawang
Are you a fan of shopping? Then Tawang is the perfect destination for you too! Explore the lively Old Market and Nehru Market and the modern New Market, where you can not only collect the most beautiful souvenirs, but also get a unique glimpse of the local culture.
Immerse yourself in the daily life of this fascinating city and enjoy the colourful atmosphere, friendly stalls and delicious local delicacies.
Nuranang Falls / Jang Falls
In the late afternoon, it is great to unwind in this beautiful place. In the background, you can hear the constant rhythmic sound of the Nuranang waterfall, which, at 100 metres high, thunders its water down. The water comes from the Sela Pass, so it has already made quite a journey. If you then look ahead you have the view of the Tawang River flowing peacefully between the high mountains.
The name Nuranang has its origins in Nura / Noora. And this too, like Sela Pass and Sela Lake, is an ode to one of the women who helped hero Jaswant Singh Rawat in 1962. Sela and Nura symbolically meet again here
The waterfall was made famous by the films Koyla (1997) and Hiya Diya Niya (2000). There is a lot of music and dance in Bollywood films and one of the songs from these films was recorded here which naturally made the waterfall grow in popularity.
Tawang monastery
I could have walked around here for more than half a day so plan your visit well. When you walk in, it is immediately a beautiful place with the white houses, prayer wheels and monks walking around. It lies slightly against the mountain so that gives a beautiful view.
Everywhere we felt very welcome which also made us take our time. For example, we saw the monks at work making wax figurines for a festival planned a few weeks later. We also lit a candle in the room above the kitchen and library of Tawang Monastery.
Also, the museum which is at the very back of the site is really a must visit. Lots of old photos and objects that give you a good idea of the background of Tibetan culture and this place.
Visit the village Mukto
One of the highlights of this tour of Arunachal Pradesh for me were these two encounters in Mukto village. We were taken to a workshop just outside Mukto village where paper (monsook) was made.
We were given an explanation and then also allowed to work on our own. Of course, the paper we had made had to dry but we could buy a sheet or several sheets as a souvenir.
Then we went into the village and entered Mindu Wangmu’s house. She was sitting on a covered terrace working in the sunshine.
Mindu showed us how she has been making the yak hats for years.
It is a dying tradition, young people moving to the city and not maintaining this way of making hats. Everywhere, modern ways of working take this kind of work out of the hands of the real craftsmen. Apart from the fact that these yak hats are worn only by the older people.
There are many different types of hats, each tribe has its own model. Some of those hats are quite impressive aren’t they? I love them!
Chaksam Brigde – Mukto
The 14th century old iron suspension bridge Chaksam is also really impressive. It is the oldest iron suspension bridge in Arunachal Pradesh! Just along a road, at a few houses, we stopped. Sange went in somewhere to get the key. Key? Yes, the bridge is closed and the new bridge next to it is open. Iron has been stolen in recent years and so it became necessary to secure the century-old bridge.
The legend surrounding this bridge is that it was made by the monk Tangton Gyalpo. In the 14th century, of course, this piece of land was still southern Tibet and Tangton Gyalpo was on his way to spread the word of the Dalai Lama. Tangton had to cross the river here and the story goes that he was able to come along in a leather boat to the other side but ended up not being able to pay. He was thrown overboard but did not drown, despite not being able to swim.
He resolved to build bridges so that people could go from one side to the other without any problems. Tangton Gyalpo built several suspension bridges and three of them are still to be admired. You can find one in Tibet, one in Bhutan and so this Chaksam Brigde near Mukto in Arunachal Pradesh.
Also note the entrance gate when you arrive or leave this beautiful place. Such a gateway is called a Kakalin and is often beautifully painted. So don’t forget to look up.
Visit Bekhar – 6th Dalai Lama Mothers House
While visiting Tawang region visit the house where the mother of the 6th Dalai Lama ( born 1683) lived. At first glance, it is just an old house, amid rice fields, in rural Arunachal Pradesh.
Like all the other destinations I mention here, it is worth the drive alone. The views you get and the brief glimpses into the local lives of the people who live so remote here. It really is an experience.
The 6th Dalai Lama is said to have been born in this house or at least lived here. It is still disputed where the birth of the 6th Dalai Lama took place and so the house is now called the house of the 6th Dalai Lama’s mother.
In this house, we had lunch and had time for a meditation.
Next to the house is also a beautiful monastery where 108 books ( Kangyur – Tibetan Buddhist canon ) are stored that were given to the mother by 7th Dalai Lama.
Visiting the Mountain village Thingbu
Again, just the road to this mountain village is worth visiting mountain village Thingbu. After passing Murga Brigde, we came to drive through a gorge. This winding road past high cliffs is really worth mentioning. Here you can feast your eyes. Another river roared in the gorge to complete the picture. The sun was shining brightly and a few stops along the way are a must.
After a while, you start climbing uphill with hairpin turn after hairpin turn. Your view gets wider and further and further. During this hike, I hung my head out of the window and clicked photos and made videos. How cool it was!
In Thingbu, we were warmly welcomed by Sonam Jangmu. We ate lunch in Sonam’s wooden house and she let us explore the village. Where necessary, she gave us explanations. The people of Thingbu are part of the Monpa tribe but traditionally they are Tibetan. As such, they still speak Tibetan.
Here I also saw the Dzo, a mix between the yak and the cow, I had not heard of it before. This combination has the best of both, the physical abilities of the yak and have the milk production of a cow. So very interesting for places at altitude.
Hotsprings Thingbu
On the way back to Tawang, you can stop at the hot springs. There was little opportunity to bathe here now but that will be improved in the future. There is now 1 bath you can enter, enjoying the hot water. A little further on, upstream, the hot water came flowing straight into the cold river. Unique spots these are always.
To get there, we walked a bit along the river and up into the mountains. Just getting out of the car and into nature, lovely!
Visit the White Tara Statue
The day my fellow travellers go to Bumla Pass, I leave for a trip to Zemithang. On the way, we pass this white Tara statue. An impressively large and colourful statue of a female Goddess. Once there, I can see Bhutan if the clouds make a little room.
Driving on, we pass the Nyamjang Tsu River in the Pangchen Valley and stop briefly at the BTK waterfall along the road. The Himalayas remain an impressive area to drive through. Every time, you get such beautiful views and spots that I actually wanted to stop after every turn.
I really like the symbolism of Goddess Tara images. You find Tara images in all kinds of colours and poses and when Tara is white, Tibetans pray to Tara for health, healing and long life. So the whole of wounds for both: body and mind.
The White Tara has 7 eyes and these 5 extra eyes can be found on hands, feet, forehead. These eyes symbolise compassionate vigilance. Tara sees all the suffering of / in the world.
Gorsam Chorten Buddhist Stupa – Zemithang
When the Dalai Lama fled Tibet in 1959, Zemithang was where he entered India. This stupa is very similar to the stupa in Kathmandu and the lama who built it also got his inspiration there.
The stupa is 28 metres high and you are allowed to walk on the different plateaus. Especially when you get a bit higher on the stupa, you naturally get beautiful views of the surroundings. You are walking in the Himalayas and so you have mountains all around you!
- Visiting Bumla Pass
Do you have Indian nationality? Then you can visit the Bumla Pass. At this altitude, you will find several lakes and, of course, the most stunning views of the area. You will get close to the Chinese border and a monument has been created for it so you can take a photo as a reminder.
Day to day – Visiting Tawang
You can obviously spend fewer days around Tawang. I was in the Tawang region for 4 nights and 5 days. Check out my programme to plan your visit to Tawang.
Slow travel, meaningful encounters and in-depth conversations take time but bring you so much more.
- Day 1 Bomdila to Tawang
On the journey to Tawang, you will pass through Sela Tunnel and enjoy the views at Sela Pass. After this, make a stop at Jaswant Garh Memorial, and as you drive to Bomdila, make a stop at the impressive Nuranang Falls.
- Day 2 Around Tawang
From Tawang, drive into the mountains to Mukto village, after this you will go to Chakzam Bridge and you can visit the House of the 6th Dalai Lama’s mother. Then when you return to Tawang, you can visit Buddha Park in Tawang and do some more shopping in Tawang.
- Day 3 Around Tawang
Western tourists are not allowed to go to Bumla Pass. This is because it requires an ILP and we only get the PAP. (Read more about the ILP/PAP)
As western tourists, we do get to visit the beautiful white Tara statue near Lumla and Zemithang. Zemithang has almost no western tourists. Just the trek there is amazing, you pass the BTK waterfall. And eventually you get to see the impressive Gorsam Chorten Stupa in Zemithang.
- Day 4 Around Tawang
We left before breakfast to drive to Thingbu. We had our breakfast in Jang and then drove the impressively beautiful trek on to Thingbu. After lunch and a tour of the village, we descended again and visited the hot springs at Thingbu. At the end of the day, we had a short time to do some shopping in Tawang.
- Day 5 Visiting Tawang
If you visit Tawang make sure not to miss the Tawang Monastery. Afterwards, drive back towards Bomdila via the Sela Tunnel or on to Dirang.
I undertook this trip with Sange from The Holiday Scout and it really made my trip a success. Everywhere just got ample time to really be there, to really experience and feel a place. Thank you Sange!
Pin or save this inspiration for visiting Tawang!
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