Places To Visit In Tawang

Sela Pass: The Sela Pass is a high-altitude mountain pass located on the border between the Tawang and West Kameng Districts of Arunachal Pradesh state in India. It owns the credit of being the only high-altitude mountain pass in the world that is motorable. This is the only way to gain access to Tawang by road. The views from Sela Pass are spectacular. The sunrays kissing the mountaintop give you a different version of the mountain.

Tawang Monastery: The second largest monastery in Asia and the largest in India is the Tawang Monastery. It was established by Mera Lama Lodre Gyasto during the 17th century. A wonderful scenic tourist destination, Tawang Monastery is located at a foothill and at an elevation of 3000 m above sea level. The monastery, which houses more than 300 monks(actual capacity 700 monks), is the main centre of spirituality and religion for the people residing in and around Tawang.

Taktsang Gompa: Taktsang Gompa is believed to have been honored by Guru Padmasambhava’s visit during the 8th century. The charge of the Gompa was taken over by his secretary, Chang-sey after his death. The monastery is bounded by a lush green pine grove. It is believed that Guru Padmasambhava visited this place for meditation during the 8th century. Encircled by thick coniferous forest and lofty mountains, this monastery is visited by devotees in decent numbers every year.

Gorichen Peak: Gorichen Peak the highest in Arunachal Pradesh with 22500 feet height but it also poses a high challenge to trekkers. The gorgeous Gorichen Peak offers magnificent views. Gorichen peak, also called as Sa-Nga Phu is well visible from Tezpur. The view on the road Nechipu to Seppa is also pretty good. Most tourists come across it while traveling from Bomdila to Tawang.

Shonga-tser Lake: Shonga-tser Lake is also called as Madhuri Lake, named after the famous Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit. The lake was formed as a result of an earthquake in this region back in 1971. This place was grassland until then, serving to the cattle of the locals. The lake is an absolute delight for the photographers. Image Credit

Nuranang Waterfalls: Nuranang Falls is located in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh, India. It is one of the most spectacular waterfalls in this part of the country. River Nuranang originates from the northern slope of Sela pass and form Nuranag waterfalls before it meets River Tawang. While on your way to Tawang, do halt at these waterfalls to have a good time with your loved ones. Stop here on your way to Tawang. The Nuranang river originates from the Sela pass and before meeting Tawang river it forms into this beautiful waterfall.

Pankang Teng Tso Lake: Pankang Teng Tso Lake is one of them immersed in splendour and beauty of Mother Nature. Located 17 km away from the town area, the lake is also known as Ptso Lake. The calm water, silently moving clouds, earth with its wetness, chirping of birds and warmth is all that one gets while visiting Pankang Teng Tso Lake. This lake was formed during an earth quake and lies in pine forest. Trunks of dead trees can be seen emerging from the blue waters of the lake. The lake remains frozen during the winter months and thus summers is the best time to visit it.

Bumla Pass: Bumla Pass is situated 37 kms away from Tawang. The Indo-China border that lies at 16000 ft altitude is the right place for you to assess your fitness level if you love adventure. The ideal time to visit the place to enjoy its limitless beauty would be from May to October. Bumla Pass was the passage used by Dalai Lama to escape from Tibet and to enter India.

How to reach Tawang, Assam

By Air: Tezpur Airport, located 143 km away, is the nearest airport. It is connected by flights to Kolkata and Guwahati. Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport, 170 km away at Guwahati is the nearest international airport. Taxis are available from the airport.

By Helicopter: Pawan Hans operates helicopter services daily from Guwahati airport except Sunday. It costs around Rs 4000 for adults and Rs 2500 for children one way.

By Rail: Tezpur is the major rail head closest to Tawang. Buses and private taxis are available to reach Tawang.

By Bus: Buses and Taxi ply regularly between Tezpur (Assam) and Bomdila, and Tawang. It takes about 12 hours to reach Tawang from Tezpur. In addition to private taxis, shared taxis are also available. The journey to Tawang by road is an arduous one. A major part of the road is loose tarmac and gravel giving way to mud in many places. However, it is a scenic journey and makes up for the strain one has to endure.

Palaces to visit near Tawang,Assam

Tawang Monastery (Gonpa): It is one of the largest lamaseries of Mahayana sects and the second oldest monastery in the world after Lhasa. The monastery houses over 500 monks. It is also a centre of Buddhist Cultural Studies. The monastery was founded by monk Mera Lama Lodre Gyatso a contemporary of the fifth Dalai Lama in 17th century AD. The monastery complex comprises of more than 65 residential buildings meant for monks.
Regyaling Gonpa: It was constructed by the former Rigya Rinpoche and is located about 1 km from Tawang.
Urgelling Gonpa: Believed to have been in existence since 14th century, it is about 3 km from Tawang. Tsangyang Tashi, the 6th Dalai Lama, was born here in 1683.
Gyangong Ani Gonpa (Buddhist Nunnery): About 5 km from Tawang, the nunnery houses more than 50 inmates. It offers beautiful visuals of Tawang and takes about half-an-hour trek tor reach.
P T Tso (Pangang Teng Tso) Lake: About 18 km from Tawang, it is an ideal picnic spot. During winter, the lake provides an ideal spot for skiing.
Shonga-tser Lake: Popularly known by Madhuri Lake as the Hindi film Koyla was shot here. About 42 km from Tawang, it was formed in the aftermath of the 1950 earthquake.
Banga Jang Lake: Besides scenic beauty, it also has religious importance.

Best time to visit Tawang,Assam

The best time to visit Assam would be November to May when cool winds from the Himalayan foothills temper the heat and humidity. March to May is when the orchids are in bloom; the people are joyous and festive and the Bihu (harvest festival) drums resonate in the valley. Assam is best avoided during the rains (June to September) when heavy downpours cause the Brahmaputra River to flood its banks all across the state.

Fairs & Festivals in Tawang, Assam

Fairs and festivals are an integral part of the tribes of Arunachal Pradesh including the Monpas. Festivals of Monpas are also mostly associated with agriculture and religion.

Losar: Monpa New Year celebrated usually in February-March. The festival lasts for about eight-15 days. Yak and Lion dance performances from door to door as mark of happiness.

Torgya: A monastic festival usually celebrated in January every year. It is believed that celebrating the festival chases out evil spirits which usher in diseases and misfortunes. Monastic masked dances are performed in Cham-lang, courtyard of the Tawang Monastery.

Choekor: Religious procession organized by the whole village to pray for protection to crops and for bumper harvest. Choekor is organized in the seventh month of lunar calendar.

Gaden Ngamchoe: As per lunar calendar, the festival falls in the 25th day of tenth month. It is to mark the death anniversary of Je Tsong Khapa, founder of Gelukpa sect.

Dukpa Tse-She: Celebrated to commemorate Lord Buddha imparting religious sermon to his five disciples at Sarnath. This festival generally falls on the fourth day of sixth month of lunar calendar.

Saka Dawa: The festival is celebrated in the 4th month of the lunar calendar to mark the achievement of Nirvana by Gautam Buddha.

Places To Visit In Tawang