Arunachal Pradesh means ‘Land of the Dawn -Lit mountains’ which is the sobriquet for the state in Sanskrit. This North Eastern region of India is less travelled for variety of reasons including poor infrastructure, least explored by travellers and also being hard to reach. But all thanks to social media, that tourism is now booming in Arunachal and everything is starting to come alive. Arunachal Pradesh is one of my favourite states and it is very different from the rest of India. Continue reading to know about list of things to do in Arunachal Pradesh and must visit places in Arunachal Pradesh.
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Must visit places in Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang
Tawang is one of the most popular destinations on any Arunachal Pradesh trip inhabited by the Monpa people. It is definitely one of the most visited places and is loved for its beauty and culture and a paradise for mountain lovers too.
Tawang town is a power packed destination that has attractions like beautiful monasteries, lakes, waterfalls, mountains and lot more. Interestingly the hills are dotted with more ‘Gompas’(Buddhist monasteries) than I even lost count. If you wish to surround yourself with true nature and peace, Tawang is definitely the place for you.
How to reach Tawang
- There are daily Sumo jeep service at 5:30am- 6am from Tejpur (INR 750)
- There are daily Sumo jeep and bus service from at 5am -6am from Bomdila (INR 500)
- There are daily Sumo jeep service from Dirang (INR 300-400)
- However if you have a rented car the drive from Dirang to reach Tawang would take 6-7hrs.
Sela Pass
The Sela Pass is a high-altitude mountain pass sitting at an elevation of 4175m ft above the sea level and is situated at a distance of 78 km from Tawang town.
This pass is located on the border between Tawang and West Kameng districts of Arunachal Pradesh and during winters its nothing less than a fairy tale. Its so beautiful and the journey to reach this place is certainly beyond imagination.
Sela Pass experiences heavy snowfall during the winters, turning the entire region into winter wonderland. This pass is usually open throughout the year but during heavy snowfall the roads might get blocked and prohibit entry.
Tawang Monastery
Built in the 17th century by Mera Lama Lodre Gyasto,Tawang Monastery is one of the massive monastery and the largest Buddhist monastery in India.This monastery is a home to hundreds of monks, who learns and practices Buddhism.
Giant Buddha
The Giant Buddha statue Sakyamuni Buddha is located on a small hill near the Tawang circuit house and offers some really good view. It is approx 30 ft high situated at an elevation of 3,048 m above sea level. It is also one of the major tourist attraction of Tawang and early in the morning or in the early evening people offer prayers as they circle the statue.
Jaswant Garh War Memorial
Jaswant Garh is a famous tourist attraction in Arunachal Pradesh and this memorial is structured in honour of late Jaswant Singh Rawat, an Indian rifleman who fought the Chinese army. This memorial is located about 25 kilometres from Tawang in Nuranang district and you can get regular taxis from the town to reach this memorial.
Narurang Falls
Nuranang Falls (also known as Bong Bong Falls) is one of the most spectacular waterfalls cascading down from 100 meters. It lies approx. 2 kilometers away from the town of Jang on the road connecting Tawang and Bomdila, so it is also known as the Jang Falls.
This waterfall came to limelight when a song from the Indian movie Kolya featuring Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit and Shah Rukh Khan ‘Tanhai Tanhai Tanhai’was shot here in 1997.
Sela Lake
There are approximately 101 lakes in the area that are sacred in Tibetan Buddhism and Sela Lake is the most visited one. This lake turns absolutely frozen during the winters.
Pankang Teng Tso Lake
Pankang Teng Tso Lake also known as the P.T.Tso Lake, is one of the most beautiful places to visit which is located 17 km away from Tawang .You can even hire a taxi to reach Pankang Teng Tso Lake from Tawang town.
This charming lake is encircled by blue lapis flowers and offers mesmerizing views of the snow-capped Himalayan Mountains, clear blue skies and calm waters in addition to to the sweet chirping of birds. However, the lake gets frozen with fluffy snow in winter and blooms with seasonal flowers during summer.
Shonga-Tser Lake
Shonga-tser commonly known as Madhuri Lake is one of the most visited tourist destinations which is tucked between the snow capped mountains that surround the lake. This lake is 42 kms away from Tawang and it is said that an earthquake led to the formation of Shonga-tser Lake in 1971, which was then a grassland.
Bum La Pass
Bum La Pass is the meeting point of India and China at an altitude of 4,600m above sea level .The Bum La Pass lies 37 km away from the town of Tawang and 43 km from the town of Tsona Dzong in China’s Tsona County. Currently the pass serves as a trading point between Arunachal Pradesh and Tibet and also an agreed Border Personnel Meeting point for the security forces of China and India.
You can apply for an Inner Line Permit online and get it with an additional cost of INR 5500(per vehicle) for Bumla Pass.
Only Indians can visit this pass, provided they have the proper permit to enter. Any personal and hired vehicles are not allowed to enter the Bum La Pass, however there are registered Sumo jeeps cars that can only enter the premises carrying tourists.
Contact Himangshu(+917576096491) he can help with all required permits.
Where to stay in Tawang in budget
Dirang
Dirang is a small village in Arunachal Pradesh located in the West Kameng region which is famous for its Hot water springs, Apple and Kiwi orchards, Sheep Breeding Farm and Sangti Valley.
Dirang lies at an altitude of 1402m above sea level and has pleasant weather throughout the year. From Dirang major districts and parts of Arunachal is very well connected, hence making it one of the major tourist attraction for stays and commuting.
Where to stay in Dirang in budget
Kungma Homestay (Ph +918837336972\7630016445)
How to reach Dirang
- There are daily Sumo jeep service at 5:30amfrom Tejpur (INR 500)
- There are daily Sumo jeep and bus service from at 5:30am from Tawang (INR 500)
- There are daily Sumo jeep service from Bomdila (INR 300-400)
Dirang Monastery
Dirang Monastery also known as Thupsung Dhargye Ling Monastery was built in April 2017 and was inaugurated by his Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama himself that overlooks the Dirang valley. Its the monastery of one of its kind absolutely beautiful inside out.
It’s a temple and learning institute of Tibetan Buddhism by monks and members of the Buddhist faith and is a hub of Tibetan culture and practice. I sat there in tranquillity for hours and the whole abode was magical.
Sangti Valley
Sangti valley is situated about 15 kilometres from Dirang and lies 1500m above the sea level. This valley is surrounded by the denuded slopes and towering ranges of Great Eastern Himalayas with pristine forests and meandering fast hill rivers.
While I took a stroll at the narrow alleys with minimal tourists, found out every house corners were covered with fruit orchards like (kiwi, apple, apricot and orange). Its unbeatable and untouched beauty is simply stunning. If lucky you can also notice Black-necked cranes that migrate from China during November and December.
Mandala Top
Mandala Top is located at an altitude of 3352m above sea level and lies approx 30 kilometres from Dirang. This is a newly opened tourist attraction that locals and tourists are babbling about.
There are 108 Buddhist ‘stupas’ constructed on the mountain top in a circular manner forming a mandala, and its aerial view is spectacular. The construction began in 2018 so it’s brand new and hasn’t been fully completed yet!
It’s the first of its kind in India where the mantra ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’ is inscribed in all 108 pillars making it one of the most spectacular site in Dirang with enchanting scenic surroundings.
Bomdila
You wont have too many options to explore in Bomdila but it is a good stopover point during your journey to Tawang for food and refreshments, after hours of bumpy road drives.
Despite its rough roads and tough climatic conditions, Bomdila is well connected with Guwahati (320 km), Tawang (167 km) and Tezpur (162km).
How to reach Bomdila
- There are daily Sumo jeep service at 5:30amfrom Tejpur (INR 500)
- There are daily Sumo jeep and bus service from at 5:30 -6am from Tawang (INR 500)
- There are daily Sumo jeep service at 5:30-6am from Dirang (INR 300)
Envisioning the lovely end to this amazing time spent in Arunachal Pradesh. So guys hope you find this blog helpful planning yours, and if you have any queries please write it down in the comment section below. We would try to help with the best of our knowledge.
Interested to explore another North Eastern States – Meghalaya?
Read our Ultimate 7 Days Meghalaya Travel Guide and Itinerary
