Tawang district is located in north-western Arunachal Pradesh in India. Tawang is well connected to Tibet in the north by the Bum La and Tulung La passes.Tawang is an important centre of Buddhist learning and is particularly famous for its 400 year old gompa, one of the best known in India.
Prior to the construction of the Tawang monastery, Tawang was traditionally inhabited by the Monpa people, who reigned the Mon kingdom that stretches from Tawang right up to Sikkim. The Mon kingdom was later absorbed into the control of neighbouring Bhutan and Tibet. After India severed Tawang off from Tibet, it was not until 1962 when Chinese troops occupied Tawang during the Sino-Indian War, destroying portions of the monastery. The valiant last stand of Mahavir Chakra awardee Jaswant Singh Rawat took place in Tawang. After the voluntary withdrawal of Chinese troops, Tawang was once again under the control of India.
PLACE TO VISIT
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.
Bhalukpung Orchid Sanctuary - in nearby Assam. An amazing variety of orchids grown in gardens and under glass. Bhalukpung Orchid sanctury houses thousands of varieties of orchids.
HOW TO REACH
The town is about a 16 hour drive from Guwahati.
You can fly or take a train to any of these cities, the most practical being Guwahati
since Tezpur does not have direct connections. The closest railway station is
Rangapara in Assam.
It is a good idea to hire a jeep, Sumo or other rugged vehicle with an experienced hill
driver to do the mountain drive - this is a 479 km journey of about 16 to 20 hours.
