Tawang – Catch the mountain magic and peace
The Eastern Himalayas have a sundry geomorphic antiquity and prevalent topographic attributes than the Himalayan Central ranges. The northeastern parts of India and Nepal consist of the Eastern Himalayan ranges from the Teesta River to the Brahmaputra River. Tawang is situated in the west of Arunachal Pradesh. It borders Tibet (China) and Bhutan as well.It has some fantastic views of the mountains and monasteries. It has a rich Monpa culture. It is a famous, popular, lofty, and highest-altitude tourist destination.
It’s a great blend of nature and Buddhist vibes. Tawang is 3,500 meters above sea level. It’s a snowland and heaven once you enter. You shall experience some stunning snow-capped peaks and natural beauty. Shimmering lakes that are absolutely vibrant and peaceful.
It’s a great blend of nature and Buddhist vibes. Tawang is 3,500 meters above sea level. It’s a snowland and heaven once you enter. You shall experience some stunning snow-capped peaks and natural beauty. Shimmering lakes that are absolutely vibrant and peaceful. It has a wide variety of wild animals and birds. It’s a great place for those who wish to rejuvenate in nature. It is also a favourite destination for mountaineers and trekkers as it has some great summits to conquer. One can immerse oneself in nature and feel relaxed.
Several mountaineers come on expeditions to enjoy its tranquillity. The local cultures offer a great opportunity for hospitality.
Every state has its own beauty in the people who live there. Let me tell you the locals of Tawang shall give you an experience of warmth, kindness, and joy. They are very hospitable and known for their deep and rich culture. The community here belongs to the Monpa tribe. They are very honest and follow a traditional community-focused way of life, are seen in their traditions, helping tourists, hikers and community initiatives.
They are deeply connected to their land and monastery. They are portrayed as very helpful. You will notice a certain amount of calmness and serenity with very little chaos. It reflects in their interactions.This community has great skills in art, like Thangka painting. They love to weave and carve wood in the most artistic forms. They rely on agriculture, yak-sheep rearing, and other traditional practices. They speak a Tawang Dialect called Dakpa or Takpa. (It belongs to the Tibeto-burman family and is influenced by the Tibetans) . Commonly, they also speak in Hindi and English, along with other dialects like Mago-Thingbu-Keth.
Sela Pass is a high-altitude mountain pass known for its stunning and snowy landscapes. It also consists of a sacred Sela Lake, which is a gateway to the world-famous Tawang Monastery. It’s an important connection between Tawang and the West Kameng district. It’s over 13,700 ft and is accessible throughout the year because of the amazingly engineered Sela tunnel. It has some amazing views of Tawang, and your drive becomes all the more thrilling as you pass by the snowcapped mountain ranges. Gorichen Peak, known as Sa-Nga Phu, is the highest peak here. There are challenging climbs, and it is revered as a deity by the locals. It’s most popular amongst mountainers. It stands 6,488 meters.
Gorichen Peak, known as Sa-Nga Phu, is the highest peak here. There are challenging climbs, and it is revered as a deity by the locals. It’s most popular amongst mountainers. It stands 6,488 meters. You will come across jagged terrains and breathtaking views of the Bomdila Tawang route.
The Tsangetsar lake, also known as Madhuri lake. In the early times, it was known as Shonga-tser Lake. While you are on the way from Bum La Pass, which is close to the Chinese border, you will see this beautiful oasis in between the snow-capped mountains. The water is crystal clear and is a great place to pitch your tents and do some camping. At the night, you can spot several stars and enjoy the cool breeze under the moonlight.
Nuranang Falls gushes from a height of 100 meters, and it plummets down through the dense forest with a pool of crystal clear water. Its purity is a true power and beauty in itself. A strategic pass on a high altitude Bumla Pass on the India-China border has historic significance since the 1962 war. You need special permits as well as a drive in the local SUVs due to the heavy military presence and challenging terrains. It serves as a Border personnel meeting point.
It has some great panoramic views and incredible scenery. With lush green valleys and majestic mountains, it’s a view one can’t miss.You can get lovey-dovey with a romantic boat ride or go on a fishing trip with a unique experience of the silent reflection by the water’s edge. You can also visit Sangetser Lake, PT Tso Lake, and the Chu River. It’s an absolute favourite place for photographers and those who wish to get an Insta reel or post.
You can participate and enjoy the Losar and Torgya festivals. Besides this, you can visit the Tawang War Memorial and the Chakzam bridge. If you like to try and taste some local cuisines and pick some local food items, then try some momos, thukpas and local dishes with fermented cheese and chilli. Some biscuits you can pick like the Khapse, beverages like chang made from rice, maize, barley and millets. You can shop for some handicrafts, handwoven carpets, thangkas and local handicrafts are popular souvenir items.
How to reach to this snowland - Tawang
For good access and sightseeing, one should visit in the Spring or summer. Whereas autumn brings clear skies and pleasant weather. January is the coldest here, as it can go up to -2 degrees.If you want to experience heavy snowfalls and snowy vistas, then winter is ideal. But keep yourself informed about blocked roads due to heavy snowfalls. The nearest airport is in Guwahati and Assam, and Tezpur is a nearby railway station.
