Tawang

A meandering road up the Brahmaputra plains takes you to the breathtaking Tawang Valley in the far corner of Arunachal Pradesh. Nestled amidst the majestic Himalayas, Tawang is accessible by a zigzagging road; with a sprinkling of white & gold stupas on the slopes and colorful prayer flags fluttering in the mountain breeze. The town center, resplendent with Buddhist murals and vivid prayer wheels, adds to the beauty of Tawang. Tawang’s population consists mainly of Monpa Buddhists.

Major Attractions

Tawang Gompa
Perched high on a ridge top, this erstwhile Monpa Palace, converted to a monastery in 1681, towers over the town center. Its bright yellow roofs, home to over 400 Lhamas, strike a gorgeous contrast with the azure sky and the emerald canopy of pine trees. Second only to the Drepung Monastery (in Lhasa, Tibet), its colorful prayer hall, stunning Buddha statue, and precious library are legendary in the Buddhist circles.

Urgelling Gompa
This ancient monastery, the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama, is embellished with??????????? hand-painted portraits of Dalai Lamas and imprints of the forehead & feet of the sixth Dalai Lama. According to a legend, a stick wedged into the ground by the 6th Dalai Lama grew into a hulking oak. This blessed tree is believed to possess healing qualities.?

Tawang War Memorial
Commemorating the martyrs of the 1962 Indo-China War, this monument is built according to Buddhist traditions. Beautiful prayer wheels; a white, red & gold stupa; names of 2420 martyrs etched in gold; and some war memorabilia stand witness to the supreme sacrifice of the Indian soldiers.

Se la Pass
Located at a height of around 13700ft, this precarious mountain pass is the gateway to Tawang Valley. Stop at the beautiful lake nearby and enthrall in the spectacular panorama.

Other Attractions

• Khinmey Gompa
• Gyangong Ani Gompa
• Giant Buddha Statue
• Nuranang Falls /Jung Falls
• Pankang Teng Tso Lake
• Bum La Pass- Indo-China border point

Major Fairs and Festivals in Tawang

• Tawang Festival- A Tourism Festival
• Losar- Tibetan New Year
• Saga Dawa- Celebrating Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and nirvana
• Dukpa Tse-She- Commemorating Buddha’s first sermon
• Torgya- A monastic festival
• Tseb-Chu- Monastery festival at Khinmey Gompa

Shopping in Tawang
Home to beautiful handicrafts, mostly created by the locals, Tawang’s Old Market is loaded with hand-woven shawls, carpets, tribal dresses, Tibetan prayer wheels, prayer flags, Thangkas , pretty porcelain tea pots & tea sets, colorful Cham dance masks, and wood carved items. Check out the Tawang Craft Center where locals make & sell handcrafted stuff.

Food in Tawang
Millet is the staple grain of Monpas’ cuisine. This cuisine is spicy and includes beef, pork, yak, mutton, chicken and fish. ?Khura, (buckwheat pancake), Chamin (chilies & yak cheese chutney), Gyapa-khazi (rice dish), Thukpa (noodle soup), and momos (dumplings) are some of the specialties of Tawang. Do try “Sueja” (butter tea), the chief beverage of the Monpas.

Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Tawang is in summers from March to May.

How to Reach
By Air- Salonibari Airport in Tezpur, around 387kms from Tawang, is the closest airport
By Rail- Rangapara Railway Station, around 383kms of Tawang, is the closest railhead connecting Tawang to the other cities in the north-east.
By Road- Tawang is well-connected to the major cities in the north-east with a network of well developed roads & highways.

Book your Tawang Tour Package and delve into the mysteries of the wild east of India. Explore the ancient monasteries, answer the call of the mountains, breathe in the spirituality of Buddhism and delight in the colorful Monpa traditions- all of it and more in the picturesque Tawang.