Tawang is a controversial mountain town located in India and has always been in the headlines for its troubled borders. India considers Tawang as a town that belongs to the state of Arunachal Pradesh, whereas China claims it to be a part of South Tibet.
Considering it more on the side of India, we describe it as the home to 17th century Tawang monastery. Tawang is a beautiful hill station having a massive Buddha statue and a destination that once had a great influence on the Buddhist followers of ancient times.
Best Time to Visit Tawang
There are a whole lot of tourist attractions in the place including the Penga Teng Tso which is an amazing lake that attracts flocks and flocks of migratory birds in summer.
The best time to visit Tawang is between October to March as the temperature remains pleasant during this time. However one may visit this beautiful town at any time of the year and if you wish to avoid the peak season crowds then, one must skip the months between October to March.
History of Tawang
Historians claim that Tawang was part of Tibet in the 16th century and was home to the Monpa people, the inhabitants of Tibet. Tawang was also the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama Tsangyang Gyatso.
However, it was not a part of India until Britishers invaded the country. There lies an interesting story that led to the integration of Tawang into Indian territory. It happened amid the freedom struggle movements in India in the 20th century.
As per the story, in 1914, the Shimla treaty happened, during which the McMohan line was drawn between British India and Tibet, by the Britishers. They merged a major chunk of Tibetan land in British India territory and this is how Tawang was made a part of India.
But China doesn’t consider the Shimla treaty significant and considers Tawang a part of China. Thus, it has time and again raised the issue on various international platforms and has been demanding territorial rights over Tawang for a long time now.
Tawang got its name from two words one is Ta which means Horse and Wang which means green pastures. The valley lies at an altitude between 3,500 and 22,500 feet high. The place is known for snow-capped mountains, villages, lakes, green meadows, and mountains.
Modern History of Tawang
After India’s independence, Tawang was made the headquarters of the West Kameng District in Arunachal Pradesh. Later, the Tawang district was carved out from West Kameng, and Tawang became the new headquarters of the newly formed Tawang District. Sela Pass connects Tawang to the rest of India.
Tawang is one of the best tourist places in Arunachal Pradesh. If you are traveling to Tawang then do check out these beautiful tourist places in Tawang!
1. Sela Pass
A mesmerizing destination that is all set to steal the heart of every visitor. Situated in the lap of the Himalayas, it offers panoramic vistas to the tourists and residents of Arunachal Pradesh alike. The pass connects the local people from mainland India and vice-versa. It is truly an amazing place to visit and witness the beautiful views of the Eastern Himalayan range.
2. Tawang Monastery
If you are a nature enthusiast, Tawang Monastery is the best destination to visit. The monastery also goes by the name Golden Namgyal Lhatse. It is believed that the monastery is about 400 years old and it is considered as an abode for more than 300 monks. Thus, over time, it has come across as a famous religious center where an 8-meter long statue of Lord Buddha is also located.
3. Madhuri Lake
The lake offers breathtaking views of mountains and is famous for its enthralling surroundings and natural beauty. It got its name after the popular Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit as she shot a dance sequence on the popular song, Tanhayi Tanhayi with Shah Rukh Khan for the movie Koyla.
4. Nuranang Falls
Another incredible destination located in Tawang is the Nuranang Falls. In appearance, it looks like a white sheet of water falling from the heavens. Nuranang Fall falls from a height of 100 meters. Also, known by another name called BTK waterfall, it is a great spot to enjoy swimming.
5. Taktsang Gompa
This Gompa is known to be the place where Guru Padmasambhava meditated. It is located amidst hills and is visited by tourists and locals for its surreal ambiance.
6. Gorichen Peak
Gorichen Peak is the highest peak in Arunachal Pradesh that is situated at a height of 22,500 m. The peak is popular among tourists for being a hiking spot and spot for many adventure activities.
How to Reach Tawang
Tawang is a beautiful place to spend your vacation. It is located at a distance of about 2,268, 3,103, 1,369, and 3,339 km from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Here is how you can reach here by the following means of transportation.
By Air
Salonibari Airport, also known as the Tezpur Airport is the nearest airport. It receives connecting flights from Guwahati and Kolkata. From the airport, one has to cover a distance of approx. 330km to reach Tawang town. Traveling by air will save you a lot of time and will offer optimum comfort during the journey.
Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Tawang
By Train
Tezpur railway station is the nearest station to Tawang. From the station, tourists have to travel another 340km via taxi or a bus to reach the town. Cachar Express, Barak Valley Express, and Arunachal Express are the three popular trains on which one may make the reservation to reach Arunachal Pradesh.
By Road
Traveling by roadways is an exciting and memorable way to explore any place to the fullest. Roads take you to the core of the place and it's also the surrounding spots. In case you are planning a road trip to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh then you may either take the inter-state tourist bus or your personal vehicle to travel.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tawang
Q. Where is Tawang located?
A. Tawang is a town in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. It is located in the northwestern part of the state and is known for its stunning natural beauty and rich cultural heritage.
Q. What are some of the tourist attractions in Tawang?
A. Tawang is surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty, including snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, and alpine forests.
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here
