10 Places to Visit in Tawang: Travel to Ladakh 2.0 for an Unforgettable Holiday

Tawang is a town in Arunachal Pradesh, which is the definition of breathtaking beauty. You’ll be awestruck by the places to visit in Tawang because of the mesmerizing views they offer of the lofty hills, the serene lakes, and verdant greenery. It’s even considered the “new Ladakh” because of the resemblance in landscape, so bikers have another unexplored place to travel to. Since this town is located at an altitude of 3500 m, you’ll get to experience an out of this world scenery, which would forever be etched in your memory.

10 Amazing Places to Visit in Tawang: A Peaceful Retreat from the Bustling Cities

Tawang’s beauty lies in the serene and tranquil atmosphere that it exudes. You’ll be transported to simpler times when spending quality time with each other, introspecting yourself, and sitting with your thoughts was an everyday thing. The rich history and culture engulfing this town enhances its significance, so here are the best places to visit in Tawang for a memorable trip.

1. Sela Pass
2. Thingbu Hot Spring
3. Tawang Monastery
4. Nuranang Falls
5. Gorichen Peak
6. P.T Tso Lake
7. Gyangong Ani Gompa
8. Jaswant Garh War Memorial
9. Taktsang Gompa
10. Nagula Lake

1. Sela Pass: A Gift of Nature to Arunachal Pradesh

Sela Pass is known as the “Gateway to Tawang,” which is why it’s the first attraction on our list. This pass connects Tawang to Guwahati and is one of the highest motorable mountain passes in the world. Taking a journey to this location with picturesque scenery, snow-capped mountains, and an incredibly thrilling road makes for a heavenly escape. You’ll be greeted by the magnificent view of the Himalayas, the shimmering snow, and a frozen lake throughout the year, and this is also a religious Buddhist site. You’ll require an inner line permit to visit this pass, though, so it’s ideal to get it the day before visiting.

Best time to visit Sela Pass: October, November, and March to May

Distance from Tawang: Approx. 133 km

Attractions near Sela Pass: Sela Lake, Silk Route

How to get a permit for Sela Pass: You’d have to get an inner line permit from the Residential Commissioner for Arunachal at Guwahati, Tezpur. This ILP is checked at the Bhalukpong Border and other locations as well. It’s valid for a maximum of 30 days of traveling.

Legend of the Sela Pass: As per the legend, Jaswant Singh was an Indian Soldier who fought alone at Sela Pass during the Indo-Sino war and became a martyr. When Sela, a tribal woman came to offer him food and water, she saw his wounded body and killed herself. Jaswant Singh was posthumously honored with the Maha Vir Chakra.

Sela Pass travel tips:  

• Carry warm clothes due to low temperature here
• Eat light before the hike to Sela Pass
• Wear comfortable hiking shoes

2. Thingbu Hot Spring: Feel the Warmth Creeping up to Your Skin

A hot spring is by far the best wonder of nature because of the much-needed warmth it offers your body during harsh winters. The Thingbu Hot Spring in the village of Thingbu is an ideal place to spend some relaxing time. The Sulphur in the Mago Chu river is believed to cure several skin ailments and keep your body warm from the cold temperatures of this town. Therefore, it’s one of the places to visit in Tawang in December. You’ll come out of this hot spring feeling refreshed and rejuvenated, so plan a trip to this village on your holiday to Tawang.

Best time to visit Thingbu Hot Spring: November to March

Distance from Tawang: Approx. 151 km

Thingbu Hot Spring travel tips:

• Carry an extra set of clothes
• Wear comfortable shoes to hike to this location
• Stay hydrated

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3. Tawang Monastery: The Gem of Arunachal Pradesh

Tawang Monastery is the largest monastery in India and second largest in Asia with 17 gompas and 300 monks. Also, famous as Golden Namgyal Lhatse, this monastery located 3000 m above sea level is approximately 400 years old. The gorgeous view of the Tawang-Chu Valley is a sight to behold. As you explore this monastery, you’ll come across its main attraction, which is the 8 m tall statue of Buddha, which is why it’s considered one of the famous places to visit in Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh. In addition to that, the interiors of this place with marvelous paintings and sketches of Bodhisattvas, a silver silk casket for Goddess Shri Devi, etc. Enhance the beauty of this place.

Tawang Monastery timings: 7 A.M to 7 P.M

Distance from Tawang: Approx. 74 km

Attractions near Tawang Monastery: Tawang War Memorial, Giant Buddha Statue, Urgelling Gompa

Legend of the Tawang Monastery: Merad Lama Lodre Gyatso was sent on a mission by the 5th Dalai Lama to find a suitable place for a monastery. After a lot of searches, he couldn’t find one and went inside a cave to pray to God. When he came out, his horse had disappeared, and he found him grazing on top of the Tana Mandekhang Mountain, which he saw as a sign and decided to build the monastery there.

Another legend is that after the white horse of the Prince of Lhasa disappeared, people searched for him and found him grazing where the monastery is currently located. They begin to worship the horse and built a monastery there to signify the sacredness of the site.

Tawang Monastery travel tips:

• Dress up in decent clothes inside the monastery
• Wear comfortable shoes
• Respect the culture and traditions

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4. Nuranang Falls: Explore this Undiscovered Attraction

Nuranang Falls is definitely among the most popular places to visit in and around Tawang. Watching this milky white waterfall falling from a height of a 100 m, surrounded by lush greenery feels like living in a daydream. The highlight is that not many are aware of this hidden gem in Tawang, making it an even more delightful place to explore on your trip. With less crowd in this area, you can soak in the serene atmosphere, lose yourself in the lulling sound of the waterfall, and marvel at the scenic beauty all around you. There’s a hydel plant at the bottom of this fall, which is used to generate electricity for the nearby areas. You must stop by this captivating location, one of the things to do in Tawang to create a lifelong memory.

Nuranang Falls timings: 8 A.M to 6 P.M

Distance from Tawang: Approx. 90 km

Attractions near Nuranang Falls: Hydel Power Plant, Tawang Monastery

Nuranang Falls travel tips:

• You must have the inner line permit to visit this place

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5. Gorichen Peak: The Highest Peak in the State

Gorichen Peak, the epitome of natural beauty with snow-capped mountains, mist-covered peaks, and a picturesque view seems like the poetry of Earth. It’s the highest peak of Arunachal Pradesh and trekking here is an absolutely thrilling experience that you must try. The Gorichen Peak is also known as Sa-Nga Phu, which means “Kingdom of Deity” and is a sacred peak for the Monpa tribe as it’s believed to protect the area against evil. Located at an altitude of 22,500 ft above sea level, you can expect some of the most glorious views from here, and maybe that’s the reason it’s also the most challenging trekking route, even for experienced trekkers. Adventure junkies would have an exciting time conquering this peak and adding it to their list of adventure in India.

Best time to visit Gorichen Peak: April to June or September to October

Distance from Tawang: Approx. 164 km

Gorichen Peak travel tips:

• Wear comfortable trekking shoes
• Stay hydrated

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6. P.T Tso Lake: Admire the Blessed View of this Serene Lake

The Penga Teng Tso Lake or P.T Tso Lake is among the most breathtaking places to visit in Tawang, dotted with blue lapis flowers and rhododendron flowers, the mighty Himalayas in the background in contrast to the serene lake, and the snow-covered landscape. It’s an ideal location to spend some peaceful downtime, and if you visit during the winters when the lake is frozen, it acts as an excellent base for skiing. This visual treat to the eyes is a must-visit destination because you’ll regret not soaking in the charming view and the alluring landscape of this place.

Best time to visit P.T Tso Lake: April to October

Distance from Tawang: Approx. 66 km

Attractions near P.T Tso Lake: Shong-tser Lake

P.T Tso Lake travel tips:

• Don’t litter the area
• Wear warm clothes

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7. Gyangong Ani Gompa: Immerse Yourself in the Culture of Tawang

If you’re looking for a tourist attraction that offers a mesmerizing view of the town and is also a significant place to explore, then you must visit Gyangong Ani Gompa. This is the smallest monastery in Tawang and comes under the Tawang Monastery. There are 50 Buddhist nuns residing here and their everyday essentials are provided by the Tawang Monastery. It’s located on a hillock at a unique vantage point to view the town. The serene and calm atmosphere of this place would relax you instantly and the walk to this nunnery is a beautiful and alluring one, enriching your experience even more.

Gyangong Ani Gompa timings: 7 A.M to 7 P.M

Distance from Tawang: Approx. 76 km

Attractions near Gyangong Ani Gompa: Tawang Monastery, Urgelling Gompa, Gom Kora

Gyangong Ani Gompa travel tips:

• Dress up in modest clothes
• Wear comfortable shoes
• Respect the traditions

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8. Jaswant Garh War Memorial: A Memorial in Honor of a Martyred Soldier

Jaswant Singh was a brave Indian Army soldier who fought alone valiantly for 3 days during the Indo-Sino War of 1962. Therefore, this memorial was built to pay tribute to him, and it has become one of the places to visit in Arunachal Pradesh with a huge tourist influx. As you explore this memorial, you’ll come across his uniform, belt, cap, and other personal belongings. You’ll learn about his bravery and patriotism, which would ignite a fire in your soul as well. The locals here built this memorial to honor him, and you must make a trip to this location to complete your vacation in the best way possible.

Best time to visit Jaswant Garh War Memorial: March to September

Distance from Tawang: Approx. 112 km

Attractions near Jaswant Garh War Memorial: Nuranang Falls, Tawang War Memorial, Tawang Monastery

Jaswant Garh War Memorial travel tips:  

• Respect the sentiments of the people
• Pay tribute to the brave soldier

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9. Taktsang Gompa: Visit this Captivating Gompa on a Cliff

Get ready to feel the adrenaline rush as you explore the Taktsang Gompa, which is located on a cliff at the height of 13000 ft. The view from this altitude would leave you spellbound, and the lush greenery paired with mist-covered hills create a tranquil atmosphere. It’s an ideal place for a spiritual retreat and is believed to be the place where Guru Padmasambhava meditated. The monastery consists of three tiers, dedicated to different Tibetan deities, so when you travel to India, don’t miss out on this gorgeous gompa for a peaceful time away from the city’s hustle and bustle. You can even meditate here to experience the utmost serenity.

Best time to visit Taktsang Gompa: April to June

Distance from Tawang: Approx. 42 km

Attractions near Taktsang Gompa: Madhuri Lake

Taktsang Gompa travel tips:

• Wear decent clothes
• Respect the culture and traditions

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10. Nagula Lake: A Paradise for Nature Lovers

You’re in for a mesmerizing view of the serene water of the lake, the majestic Himalayan mountains, and verdant greenery surrounding them. It’s an image right out of a storybook. You’ll even spot Brahmini ducks swimming in the lake, and the reflection of the snow-capped mountains in the lake is a sight to behold. You’ll notice a heavy military presence in this area, but that doesn’t affect the magnificent beauty of this place. It’s truly one of the most popular places to visit in Tawang if you wish to spend time amidst natural beauty. All your exhaustion would vanish as soon as you spend some peaceful downtime here.

Best time to visit Nagula Lake: April to May and September to October

Distance from Tawang: Approx. 70 km

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Additional Information

Here’s some generic information that is important for you to know before traveling to this town.

Tawang Weather

Summer in Tawang – Summer in Tawang is from April to June and the Tawang temperature is around 26°C during the day, perfect for exploring the town’s attractions. It’s an ideal time to visit Tawang.

Monsoon in Tawang – July to September are the rainy months in this town, and it’s not an ideal time to visit Tawang due to the chances of landslides. However, if you do visit during this time, the beauty of this town enhances with dark clouds, and everything looks clear.

Winter in Tawang – October to March are the winter months with November to March being the coldest. If you wish to see snowfall, then December and January are the ideal times, and the picturesque Himalayas look even more glorious. Carry warm clothes when traveling to Tawang during winters.

Best time to visit Tawang

The best time to visit Tawang is during summers, which is from April to June. The flowers are in full bloom, the weather’s pleasant enough to explore the town in the best way possible.

This town’s beauty cannot be captured just by the above-mentioned places to visit in Tawang. This is a holiday destination that is meant to be explored in an unhurried way, soaking in the tranquility and charm of the attractions here. There’s no doubt that this town would leave you mesmerized and yearning for more; after all, this soulful city has a lot up its sleeves that you can imagine. So, plan a trip to this splendid town in Arunachal Pradesh with our Tawang travel packages.

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