Places to visit in Tawang

Tawang is a splendid Himalayan town in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh. It is surrounded by serene natural beauty with snow-clad peaks, spectacular landscapes, gorgeous lakes, gorgeous waterfalls and fantastic views of hills and valleys.

Besides its scenic beauty, Tawang is also known for its spiritual ambience. Being the birthplace of the Dalai Lama, Tawang houses several monasteries and places of worship. Besides, if you are an adventurous soul and love indulging in adrenaline-pumping activities, you will find several options here.

With so much to do here, places to visit in Tawang are on every traveller’s bucket list, whether you are on a solo tour or holidaying with your friends and family. And, rightfully so! It is one of the most beautiful places to visit in India.

Here are some of the most popular places to visit in Tawang.

Top Places to Visit in Tawang

1. Tawang Monastery

Tawang Monastery, also known as the Gaden Namgye Lhatse is one of the most popular and beautiful places to visit in Tawang. As a matter of fact, it is the largest monastery in India. It offers a glimpse into the Buddhist culture and history. It is one of the most holy sites for the faith of Mahayana Buddhism.

The three-storeyed monastery building beautifully sits on a mountaintop and offers panoramic views of the entire Tawang district. It is perched at the height of 3,000 metres above sea level amidst the picturesque surroundings.

The monastery boasts magnificent interiors with beautiful artwork and paintings. The library within the monastery preserves valuable ancient scriptures and texts. There is a museum inside the monastery that displays religious artifacts and antiquities from Tibet and Tawang.

2. Nuranang Falls

Nuranang Falls, also known as Jung/Jang Falls or Bong Bong Falls is one of the most attractive waterfalls in India and a hidden gem of Tawang. Originating in the northern slopes of the famous Sela Pass, the fall is set at a height of 6000 feet above sea level in the middle of untouched forests. The waterfall drops down from an altitude of 100 meters.

The fall is surrounded by stunning landscapes, verdant greenery, pristine hills, and a thick cover of mist. It is an ideal place to relax and unwind amidst nature.

3. Sela Pass

Sela Pass is one of the most visited tourist places in Tawang. It is truly a gift of nature to Arunachal Pradesh. It serves as a lifeline for the people of Arunachal Pradesh as it is the sole route that connects Tawang district to the rest of the country.

Besides its geographical importance, Sela Pass boasts of stunning natural beauty and awe-inspiring landscapes. Located at a height of 4170 metres, Sela Pass is covered in snow throughout the year, offering magnificent views of the eastern Himalayan range.

Apart from being a popular sightseeing place, Sela Pass also holds significant religious importance for Buddhists. The rocky pass is also home to one of the most glorious lakes of Arunachal Pradesh – the Sela Lake.

4. Tawang War Memorial

Located close to Tawang town, Tawang War Memorial is a famous historical attraction to visit when you are here. It is a Buddhist shrine built to honour the 2140 Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the 1962 Indo–China war. It is a patriotic place which is often visited by tourists to show their love for the nation and relive those historical events.

The memorial is a 40-foot-high multi-hued memorial designed using Buddhist architectural and cultural elements. Here you will find a museum and rooms for artefacts and items associated with wars.

The Tawang War Memorial offers a scenic backdrop of snow-covered mountains and hills and offers a splendid view of the Tawang-Chu valley.

5. Peng Teng Tso Lake

Peng Teng Tso Lake is another must-visit place in Tawang. The picturesque lake is surrounded by the beauty of Mother Nature and a surreal landscape. Blue Lapis flowers and the breathtaking trail of rhododendrons with a scenic backdrop of the snow-laden Himalayan Mountains and the gushing cool waters of the rivers beautifully enclose the lake.

This beautiful lake is maintained by the Indian army and is one of the charming tourist attractions in Tawang. Tourists here experience calm water, a tranquil setting, the sweet chirping of birds, wet snow-covered forests, and quite meandering clouds.

6. Gorichen Peak

Gorichen is the highest scalable peak in Arunachal Pradesh, rising to an elevation of over 21,300 feet above sea level. Owing to Gorichen’s towering height, it is covered by snow all around the year, attracting trekkers and seasoned mountaineers.

Also called Tsa-Nga-Phu, the Gorichen Peak is popularly referred to as the giant white elephant by the locals for it is covered with a white carpet of snow, lending it a distinctive landmark. It is a great place to visit in Tawang for thrill seekers and nature lovers.

The peak offers splendid views of the mountains, green meadows and verdant forests below. It is an ideal place for camping and trekking.

7. Urgelling Gompa

Nestled amidst the serene landscapes of Tawang, Urgelling Gompa showcases the region’s rich spiritual heritage. The revered gompa was founded in the 15th century and is the birthplace of the sixth Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso, making it a site of immense historical and religious significance.

The monastery is known for its traditional Tibetan architecture, ancient structure, colourful murals, and sacred relics. It offers a profound sense of peace to visitors and lets them explore the spiritual ambience of the region.

Urgelling Gompa is surrounded by lush greenery and offers breathtaking views of the nearby mountains.

8. Taktsang Gompa

Taktsang Gompa is a popular monastery in Tawang. It became a popular tourist attraction in the 8th century when Guru Padmasambhava visited here and meditated in a cave for some time. The idyllic surroundings of the monastery offer a peaceful respite from the daily hustle and bustle.

The gompa is not only a spiritual treat but a visual one too. Located at an altitude of 13,000 feet on the top of a hillock and by a cliff, it boasts a charming landscape filled with thick conifers and lofty mountains. With a mesmerising backdrop, this place is a visual retreat for photographers and nature lovers who visit here to cherish the natural beauty.

9. Jaswant Garh

Jaswant Garh, also known as the Jaswant Garh War Memorial stands as a touching tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of Indian soldiers during the Indo-China War of 1962. The site is named after and dedicated to Rifleman Jaswant Singh Rawat, an Indian Army soldier who continuously fought for 72 hours against the invading Chinese troops in the war.

Jaswant Garh is built at an altitude of 3050 meters in the Nuranang district. It draws a large number of tourists who come here to pay tribute to the Indian soldiers. The place also houses several interesting exhibits like a portrait of Jaswant Singh, his army uniform, watch, belt, cap, etc.

10. Geshila Peak

Geshila Peak, one of Tawang’s hidden gems, is a must-visit for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. It is the highest peak in Tawang and offers a captivating view of the beautiful surroundings from the top.

You can explore this challenging yet rewarding trek that promises panoramic views of the breathtaking landscape surrounded by verdant valleys and snow-capped mountains. While on the trek, you traverse through dense forests, alpine meadows, and serene streams, all while soaking in the pristine beauty of Tawang.

This is an ideal place to experience the quiet and relaxing atmosphere and spend some time in solace.

11. Bumla Pass

Bumla Pass is a high-altitude mountain pass at 15,200 feet above sea level. Being located at a great altitude, it is covered with snow throughout the year. It is a border Pass between China’s Tsona County in Tibet and India’s Tawang district in Arunachal Pradesh. From here, you can get a glimpse of the international border.

Bumla Pass is known for its scenic beauty and picturesque location filled with snow-capped mountains, lush meadows, beautiful lakes and lush greenery. The Pass also offers splendid views of the majestic Himalayas, making it a delightful location for nature lovers.

This place also holds a lot of historical significance as it was one of the battle sites of the 1962 Indo-China War.

12. Nagula Lake

Nagula Lake is a high-altitude lake located at an elevation of about 4300 meters above sea level. It is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Tawang. The uninterrupted reflection of the mountain peaks on the pristine water of the Nagula Lake and the scenic beauty of the surroundings, make this mesmerizing lake a delight for nature lovers. You can also spot Brahminy ducks enjoying around Nagula Lake.

The lake remains frozen all throughout the year except the summer months from April to May and during September and October

13. Sangestar Tso (Madhuri Lake)

The Sangestar Tso, formerly called Shonga-tser Lake and popularly known as the Madhuri Lake is a stunning high-altitude Himalayan Lake in Tawang. It sits at an altitude of over 3,708 meters (12,165 feet) above sea level.

An interesting thing about this lake is that it came into existence as a result of an earthquake, adding to its charm and mystique. The captivating lake is surrounded by towering Himalayan peaks, snow-laden hills, and lush greenery.

Sangestar Tso offers a serene ambience with its crystal-clear turquoise water and picturesque sights, making it a popular tourist destination in Tawang for nature lovers and tranquillity seekers. The remote location of this lake provides a perfect escape from the city noise.