'''Tawang''' is the administrative headquarters of Tawang district in Arunachal Pradesh. It has a population of around 5,000.

Get in

By car

The town is about a 16 hour drive from Guwahati. However, it is best to hire a Tata Sumo from Tezpur in Assam ( a 4 hr. drive from Guwahati). From Tezpur you go to Bhalukpong ( border of Assam and Arunachal) where Indian and Non Indian tourists have to show in permit ( easily obtainable at either Guwahati or Tezpur ) and proceed to a beautiful and rough drive up the mountains. It can take 12-14 hrs. if you go at a stretch to Tawang- but it is advisable to break your journey at either Bomdila or better still- charming little valley town of Dirang. Sela pass is notoriously difficult and heavy snowfall could force you to stay on the either side.

Get around

  • [http://www.kickstartadventures.com/ Kickstart Adventures]- an adventure tourism firm, has pioneered motorcycle tours in North East India. This adventure motorbike tour covers the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh, giving a traveller to visit to not only popular places but also rural parts of the region to experience first-hand of tribal cultures and traditions. The firm conducts tours all round the year.
  • See

  • '''Tawang Monastery'''. A Tibetan Buddhist Monastery of the Gelugpa sect - constructed in 1681. It was the birth place of the celebrated 6th Dalai Lama, and is home to more than 500 lamas.
  • '''Jaswant Garh'''. An Indian Army War Memorial, commemorating the bravery of hundreds of Soldiers who successively fought in the 1962 war against the Chunese. Jaswant Singh Rawat, who along with two other soldiers bravely fought of the Chinese Army invading Tawang, during the battle of Nuranang. For his outstanding act of gallantry Rfn. Jaswant Singh Rawat was posthumously awarded with the Mahavir Chakra. His two colleagues L Nk. Trilok Singh Negi, along with Rfn Gopal Singh Gusain, were awarded with the Vir Chakra.
  • Do

    Tawang is a much undiscovered Trekkers paradise, offering breath taking views, fresh mountain air, chill weather, and challenging or leisurely treks.

    For a rigorous trek ( classified hard), take the Jang - Thingbu - Mago - Goi ichen Base Camp - Mago (Back) - Luguthang - Sena Chakra - RA-I route.

    The softer trekking routes include the Mukto - Gongkhar - Gyamdong - Khet - Kharung - Bongleng - Kungba - Namsring - Kharteng - Lumla route, and the Tawang Gonpa - Gyangong Ani Gonpa - Bhramadongchung Ani Gonpa - Tawang routes.

    You can also trek along the Namet Village - Zarmang Ani Gonpa - Khromten Gonpa - Geshila - Klimta - Bomla - Y. Junction - Tawang route, which takes you close to the Chinese border outpost at Bomla.

    Trekkers are advised to come fully attired and prepared for the worst.

    Take a walk around the charming town.

    Pray at the 400 year old Tawang Gompa. Turn the prayer wheels dotted outside small gompas. Meet and chat with the friendly Lama monks. Take excursions around town to visit beautiful glacier lakes and smaller gompas with big histories.

    Chat with friendly and beautiful locals.

    Take a nap on a hillock if its sunny, be prepared to be awoken by a grazing Yak.

    Buy

    Tawang has a good range of tourist souvenir shops which sell Budhdhist prayer wheels in colourful wood, Chadars ( wrap skirts worn by local women), beautiful bags, shawls, Brassware, Budhdha statues. Look for shops in Old market as well as Tibetean settlement.

    Eat

    Tibetean delicacies like Thupka , momos or simple and delicious Paratha- Sabzi eaten hot from the roadside shacks on cold misty days is a treat !! Most restaurants in Twanag serve these. A small shack called Annapurna serves delicious Alu ( potato) chops.

    The traditional Monpa cuisine use a generous amount of Chillies and fermented cheese which has a strong flavour and is not for the faint hearted.

    Some traditional Arunachal dishes are, the famous Momo, widely eaten in the north east and other Himalayan regions. The Momo is made by stuffing minced Pork and Onions into a dough and then steamed in a three layer steamer, or Fried.

    The Thukpa is a soup filled with noodles, minced meat, and vegetables, also known as Der Thuk. Ashum Thukpa is made of Maize, beans and meat.

    Zan is the staple dish of the Monpa tribes. It is usually made of Millet flour. It is usually had with vegetables or meat to which is added fermented cheese, soya bean or other herbs.

    Khura is a pancake, had with tea.

    Gyapa Khazi is a kind of Pulao made of rice, fermented cheese, small dried fish or shrimp, chillies ginger and other spices.

    Like all places of travel, some of the best food is found at the small non descript, sometime not very hygenic, eateries, that serve authentic dishes at very affordable prices. They are sure to be authentic food of the region as they are most frequented by locals.

    Drink

    Sleep

    Unfortuntely Tawang like most hill stations in the North East is far from developed, so finding good accomodation here may be a challenge. However the flip side is the lack of tourism leaves the place more virgin and unexplored.

    Apart from Tawang Inn which is the most modern and comfortable option in Tawang- most other options are pretty basic. Hotel Tawang View has the best views from their second floor basic rooms- of both the Gompa and snow topped mountains. Most hotels are in the market area. It is worth to try your luck at the government rest-house, or if you are lucky the Circuit house.

    Get out

  • '''Bhalukpung Orchid Sanctuary''' in nearby Assam. An amazing variety of orchids grown in gardens and under glass.