Tawang is located in the north-west part of Arunachal Pradesh and is the district headquarters of the Tawang Distict. Situated at an elevation of 3,048 meters and is famous for being the birth place of the sixth Dalai Lama, Nagwang Lobsang Gyatso and is home to the largest Buddhist Monastery in India. Tawang also remains an important pilgrimage destination for Tibetan Buddhists.

HOW TO REACH

By Rail:-
The closest railhead to Tawang is at Tezpur, which is located at a distance of 160 km from Tawang, but has limited connectivity to other cities. Another convenient option to get to Tawang is from Guwahati. Here is a list of train’s connection to Guwahati.

By Road:-
There are regular bus services available from Tezpur to Tawang. Apart from buses, shared taxis are also available to Tawang.

By Air:-
The Tezpur airport is the closest airport to Tawng and is connected by flight to cities like Guwahati and Kolkata. One can hire a taxi from Tezpur to reach Tawang.

WHAT TO SEE

Monpas and Gompas:-

Your very route to this 11,155 ft hill-station – Tawang, will hint you about what to expect. Picture postcard landscapes flaked with sprightly colored monasteries (Gompas) and the sound of thundering waterfalls and hot water springs freeze your senses and you will have to shake your head to remind yourself, “This is real”! Bathed in the quintessential halo of Buddhism, Tawang is still more Tibetan than Indian. The grandiose of the myriad orchids and the warmth of the local Monpa tribes help you ward off the bone-numbing breeze of the Himalayas. God, the Himalayas and the devoted jawans (army-men) stand as undaunted sentinels protecting this land from the Chinese and evil-eye.

 

 

 Tawang Monastery : –

‘Dramatically outlined’ against the verdant landscape is the 400 years old Galden Namgyal Lhatse, popular with the tourist-tongue as the Tawang monastery. It is said that the whole structure was brought from Tibet, piece by piece, on horseback and assembled here. Besides its famed assemblage gold lettered Buddhist scriptures, images, tapestries and the rare hand-written and block-painted thankas or manuscripts of revered books (in the Parkhang Hall), it is held significant in the Mahayana Buddhist world for the 26-ft high gilded Buddha housed in its inner sanctum over headed by a mural rich ceiling. The name of Tawang means “horse chosen”, a reference to the way in which Meera Lama’s horse wandered off on its own and discovered the perfect spot on which the monastery now stands.

 

 

 Nunneries of Tawang : –

The Brahma Dungchung Ani Gompa, the Gyanganga Ani Gompa and the Singsur Ani Gompa are the important ones amongst the flock of nunneries near Tawang whose nuns are known to follow stricter norms than their male counterparts.

 

 

 

 

 

   Se La Pass :-

Your very route to Tawang will be via this enigma perched 13,714 ft high (world’s third highest). The vista is best termed ‘enrapturing’ — raise your head some 45° and behold the Se La Peak; next droop it 90° to discover the glorious curves of the Se La Lake.

 

 

 

 

 

   Zimithang & the Lakes : –

The impressive Gorsam Stupa, the Tatsang gompa, the Khinme monastery and the Singshur nunnery here attract tourists visiting Tawang to this place just a stone-throw away. As your vehicle grinds its way up to the “Heap of Stones”, the LAC with China, lakes appear – bright turquoise or brooding gray according to the mood of the sky. The Sangeshar Lake, more popular as the Madhuri Lake after the Bollywood actress who starred in a film song (Koyla) canned here is one must-replenish beauty. The Lake freezes in winters.

 

 

 

  Tawang for Adventurers : –

The rivers Tawang-Chu and Namjang-Chu are ideal for river-rafting activities. There is also an option for rock-climbing, paragliding, skating and other winter sport activities.

 

 

 

 

 

SHOPPING:-
The Craft Center of the Tawang Monastery produces fine woolen carpets in various colorful designs. Items that could make excellent buys are Serdukpen shawls, Apatani jackets and scarves, Adi skirts, Mishmi shawls, blouses and jackets, wancho bags.
There are Craft- Centers at Bomdila and Tawang producing very fine carpets of colorful designs and works. Carpets in ethnic Tibetan designs are very popular, made of pure wool.

FOOD:-
Tibetan food is what you will find here at Tawang’s every eatery. Related Chinese cuisine, and lately, due to tourist demands, Indian food of the plains is also served. Apong is the local drink made from rice or mallet. Butter-tea is an Arunachal speciality and momos, a local favorite. The restaurants of your hotels are the best bet, while those with a street-food fixation can hunt for

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