A paradise of tranquil lakes, snowcapped peaks, congenial climate, magical Gompas and remote hamlets – Tawang is a beautiful hill station bookmarked by adventurists, backpackers, history lovers and even families. From its glorious legends and mishmash religion to its pristine ancient history and mesmerising mountainous views – tourism in Tawang makes you fall in love instantly. Tawang is a District in Western Arunachal Pradesh on the borders of China and Bhutan, and is situated at the height of 3500 m above sea level on the mountainous range of the Northern Himalayas. It’s surrounded by Tibet to the North, Bhutan on the South-West, with Sela ranges in the East. 

Reaching Tawang is an adventure in itself, and summer makes for a great time to visit it. Here is a short travel guide to Tawang so that you can start planning your holiday ASAP!

Tawang is connected well with its nearby cities and towns to make your travel super easy and convenient.

By Air: 

Tawang does not have its own airport, so one can explore the nearest airport to Tawang, which is, Tezpur. One can also reach Tawang via Helicopters, which are available four times a week – on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.

By Rail:

As there is no railway connectivity within Arunachal Pradesh, one can find the nearest railway station at a distance of 383 km – which is Rangapara in Tezpur, Assam.

By Road:

Tawang is best connected through road via cab or bus services. The best way to reach Tawang is with Arunachal Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) and other private agencies which have introduced regular bus services.

The best time to witness the abundant natural charm of Tawang is from March to October. The weather in Tawang is always pleasant and it is worth visiting all year round.

Summer (March to June):

In summers, Tawang is at its best! You can roam around in the valley, and find markets in the pleasant summer weather. The temperature floats between 5°C to 21°C.

Monsoon (July to September):

When monsoon starts approaching, one must carry umbrellas as Tawang witnesses heavy rainfall. This is the best time for hiking trails at Bumla Pass, and the temperature is pleasant between 15°C - 20°C.

Winter (October to February):

Winters are chilliest in Tawang as the temperature ranges from 11°C to -5°C, and you can never get over the snow-capped mountains. During this time, tourists can experience skiing opportunities.

Things to do in Tawang include exploring Gompas (monastery), witnessing picturesque lakes, learning history of War (that narrates the tragedy of Sino-Indian war) and hiking up trails at Bumla Pass, where the McMahon Line separates India and China with a thin line.

Relax at Thingbu And Tsachu Hot Spring:

The experience with hot springs in Tawang is truly unmatched and is a perfect thing to do for people who wish to spend time in Tawang. You can heal your skin with Thingbu's and Tsachu's warm sulphur rich water.

Visit Tawang War Memorial:

Born out of paying tribute to all the martyrs of Sino-India war of 1962, Tawang War Memorial is a multi-hued 40 ft high structure in the midst of beautiful peaks of Himalayas. It is the most visited attractions in Arunachal Pradesh state.

Spend Time In An Orphanage Called Manjushree Vidyapith:

Open from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm, Manjushree Vidyapth is an overwhelming experience that you may only find in Tawang. One could be deeply touched with the love  and warmth of children and caretakers at Manjushree Vidyapith.

Explore Hiking At Bumla Pass:

Hiking is one of the best experiences of Tawang and you can explore this unexplored hiking paradise with your loved ones. It offers soul-searching views of the Himalayas, and a plenty of fresh mountain air early morning.

Visit Madhuri Lake:

This lake was formed by the flash flood after an earthquake in the year 1950, and is renowned for Bollywood movie Koyla, starring Madhuri Dixit (which renamed the lake to Madhuri Lake). The best time to witness the beauty of Madhuri Lake is between April and October.

Learn the History Jaswant Garh:

In the memory of Jaswant Singh, a warrior who was killed during the Indo-China war in 1962, this placed was named. It is located 21 km from Sela Pass – and is open to paying tribute to this brave warrior. You can learn the history of this brave warrior at this site.

The food in Tawang is highly influenced by Tibetans and the Buddhist way of life. To explore the food in Tawang, the best place to eat is at local restaurants and street areas. The food here is inexpensive, and found to be true to their authentic style of cooking. Some of the best meals are found at Dragon Restaurant and Sno-Yak Restaurant.

You can pick up some local handicrafts of Tawang from the streets of the town. If you’re looking to purchase shawls and carpets, then Government Handicrafts Emporium is the best to shop at! Tawang also has its own street market called “Tibetan Settlement Market” – where you can get all the local souvenirs for your loved ones.