Tawang At A Glance: Attractions - Mountain, Valley, Waterfalls, Lake, Snow, Buddhism State - Arunachal Pradesh Region - North East India Nearest Railway Station - Tezpur (TEZ), Assam - 323 KM Nearest Airport - Tezpur (TZTB), Assam - 317 KM Tawang is an entirely offbeat place to visit in India which remains off the radar for most of the casual vacationers. A picturesque hill destination located on the lap of the Great Himalayan mountain ranges in the furthest North-Eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, Tawang is famous as the birthplace of the sixth Dalai Lama. Perched on a mountain cliff, the town is encircled by intimidating peaks and serene streams. Tawang's USP lies in its stunning panoramic landscapes decorated by snow-capped mountain peaks and beautiful valleys. How to Reach Tawang? Tezpur in Assam is the nearest airport and railway station to Tawang, located at a distance of around 320 KM. Tezpur is well connected to Guwahati and Kolkata by daily flights/trains. The best option to reach Tawang is to catch a flight to Tezpur and then hire a maxi cab to Tawang. You may also avail bus service from Tezpur to Tawang. Assam State Transport operates a daily bus service between Tezpur and Tawang. It departs from Tezpur Bus Terminus at 6:30 AM everyday and arrives at Tawang late in the evening after 12-14 hours. Alternatively, you can reach Guwahati and catch a bus to Bomdila from Guwahati ISBT. ASTC bus to Bomdila leaves from Guwahati ISBT everyday at 6 AM. The fare is around INR 180. From Bomdila, Tawang is around 170 KM away. There are frequent buses from Bomdila to reach Tawang. Shared Tata Sumo service is also available from Bomdila. Kindly note that Indian citizens would need to obtain Inner Line Permit (ILP) for visiting Tawang, while for foreign nationals, Protected Area Permit (PAP) is a mandatory requirement. You can now apply for Arunachal Pradesh ILP online. Refer here for more details about Online ILP Application. Tourist Attractions in Tawang: Tawang Monastery: Tawang is home to several revered Tibetan Buddhist monasteries, the most famous of them is the citadel-like Tawang Monastery belonging to the Gelugpa sect of Buddhism. This sprawling monastery was built in 1681 and it houses over 500 Buddhist lamas. Counted as one of the largest Buddhist monasteries in the world, it was also the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama. Sangetser Tso Lake: Among the natural attractions of Tawang, the picturesque Sangetser Tso lake deserves a special mention. This was the place where the famous 'Dekha Tujhe To' song of super hit Bollywood movie 'Koila' was picturized on Madhuri Dixit and Shah Rukh Khan. Due to that, the lake is also popular by the name of 'Madhuri Lake'. Nuranang waterfalls: Nuranang Waterfalls is a spectacular sight. Descending from a height of over 100 meters, it is counted as one of the most beautiful waterfalls in India. It is located right off the Tawang-Bomdila highway, near the small village of Jang. As such, it is also popular by the name of Jang Falls. P.T. Tso Lake: Pangateng Tso or simply P.T. Tso lake is a huge natural lake located just above the Tawang town. Perched at an elevation of over 12,000 feet above the sea level, it remains frozen for about 4-5 months in a year. During the winter season, it turns into a huge skiing and skating arena. The place is extremely scenic and a must visit attraction in Tawang for the nature lovers. Sela Pass: Standing tall at an elevation of 13714 feet above the sea level, Sela Pass is the lifeline that connects Tawang with the rest of the country. It is one of the popular tourist attractions in Tawang due to the spectacular views of Himalayan mountain ranges that it offers. The pass gets covered in a thick blanket of snow during the winter season. In recent times, it has turned out to be a popular spot for ice skating and sledge riding. Tawang War Memorial: A war memorial constructed in the memory of Indian Army soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the 1962 Indo-China war. The spectacular sound-&-light show organized by the Indian Army is a popular attraction among the tourists visiting Tawang. Popular Hotels in Tawang: 1. Monyul Lodge: Located right next to Tawang Taxi Stand, it's a popular budget accommodation at Tawang. You can get a room for as low as INR 500 per night. Contact no - (+91) 3794 222 196. 2. Siddhartha Hotel: A mid-budget accommodation ideal for families. Tariff starts from INR 1200 per night. Contact no - (+91) 3794 222 515. 3. Dolma Group of Hotels: Another good staying option for families located close to the market area. Tariff starts from INR 1500 per night. Contact - (+91) 3794 223 271. 4. Dolma Cottage: Located amidst serene natural surroundings near Cona. It's a luxury hotel with tariff in the upwards of INR 2500 per night. Contact no - (+91) 94357 99917. 5. Gayki Khang Zhang: A typical luxury resort. Ideal for people who are looking for comfort and luxury. Tariff is INR 3500 onwards. Contact no - (+91) 94357 99917.
