So if your next holiday destination is Arunachal Pradesh then you must know what all things you are supposed not to miss for sure.

Visit to Malinithan

Malinithan is an old Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Durga which was built during the Aryan period is located on the border of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, also named as Likabali. The temple is on the height, a traveler has to climb up the stairs made up of rocks and it can be quite tiring for but the temple and the whole place around will be worth visiting.

Madhuri Lake

Madhuri lake is one of the most glorious places in Arunachal Pradesh and is named after the famous actress Madhuri Dixit. It is also called as Sungestar Lake. The best thing to do here is to spend some really amazing time, clicking photos, listen to the music while dipping your legs in the lake, and enjoy the beauty of the place.

Visit Sangti

Sangti is a river in Dirang, Arunachal Pradesh where the best thing to do is camping and boating. You can even have a stay near this river and take joy in having a bonfire next to it.        

Celebrate Solung Festival

Solung festival is one of the most important festivals celebrated by the people of Arunachal Pradesh and the best thing to do in Arunachal Pradesh. The festival is of 10 days in which people prepare for the event day by day and sacrifice animals as a part of their belief and tradition. They also prepare a rice beer which is considered to be the best beer which you must not miss in any way.

See Dirang

The other best thing to do in Arunachal Pradesh is visiting Dirang which is a tribal town having houses made of wood. It has a valley of dense forest where you can enjoy the wildlife.

Trek at Roing

Roing is a place near Dibang valley with a lake in the dense forest, where you can go for trekking and boating, see wildlife like the Indian porcupine, leopard, Himalayan black bear. Roing is also famous for its Bhismaknagar Fort which was built in the 8th century and has been protected by the hills. If you’re a trek lover then you must go for Hunli and enjoy the stunning view from the top.

Seek peace at Ziro Valley

Ziro Valley is a very peaceful place with a very soothing atmosphere and is famous for its music festival which occurs every year. Many Northeastern independent artists are welcomed here and people from the whole Arunachal Pradesh attend this concert, it is no less than the Sunburn Music festival and that’s why the best thing to do in Arunachal Pradesh.

Namdapha National Park

Namdapha national park is a must-visit place if you’re stepping in Arunachal Pradesh as it is the third-largest national park of India which includes almost everything like mountains, lake,  woods.

Golden Pagoda

Golden Pagoda or Kongumu Kham in Tai Khamti is a Burmese style temple which was opened in 2010 for the public is located in Namsai, Arunachal Pradesh. Inside this temple, a statue of Buddha is placed facing the north. The temple has its own old age home, guest house, hall, monastery, and even treat people for free.

Nuranang Waterfall

Can you imagine how beautiful a waterfall will look while falling through a lush green valley? If not then you must have a look at this amazing piece of nature. Nuranang waterfall is 100m long which is quite amazing and is located in Tawang.

Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary

Pakhui Wildlife Sanctuary is a perfect place for people who want to see the tigers closely. You can also see flying squirrels, giant black squirrels, the Bengal tiger, Clouded Tiger, Gaur, and Sambar. This place is in between the evergreen forest.

Bomdila

Bomdila is a town in Tawang where people visit especially for its famous apple orchards,  Buddhist monasteries, trekking, and hiking trails. It has a very awesome scenery of mountains covered with snow and the best thing to do in Arunachal Pradesh.

Glow Lake

Glow Lake is near Mishmi hills is just a place if you want to sit back in peace gazing at the beautiful nature. It has a watchtower from where you can enjoy it from a height. You can also go around the botanical garden and museum which is near the lake.

Let’s explore some of the festivals in Arunachal Pradesh

SIANG RIVER FESTIVAL

The Siang river festival is also called the Yonago river festival. It is celebrated in the month of February and is mainly celebrated to promote harmony and eco-tourism of Arunachal Pradesh. In this festival many cultural activities like elephant race, traditional boat race, and adventurous activities like river rafting and paragliding take place. You can also taste the traditional delicious food in the food festival and have a glimpse of Arunachali culture in their folk dance and cultural shows. It is said that before Siang, this festival was celebrated as Brahmaputra Darshan till 2005. The Siang river festival is celebrated with a lot of joy and you must visit at least once to experience some amusing things.   

ZIRO FESTIVAL OF MUSIC

 Ziro Festival is one of the most eco-friendly festivals in India as in this music festival totally bamboo sticks are used for its structure and the visitors are asked not to throw things on the ground and keep the place clean as they have banned the use of plastic in the whole concert. Talking about the concert, it is the biggest music festival in Arunachal Pradesh. This festival was started in the year 2012 by Bobby Hano and his partners featuring independent artists from all over the North East. This festival has two stages one is the sun which is said to be Donyi and the other one is the moon which is called polo.  If you’re planning to attend this music festival then you can get the form from the official site of the Ziro Music festival and take permission from the state authorities beforehand.

SOLUNG FESTIVAL

 Solung is a 10-day agricultural festival celebrated by the people of the Adi community belonging to different districts of Arunachal Pradesh. The main festival is celebrated on the last day and before that, every day is meant as preparation day. On the 1st day of the festival gaur and pig is slaughtered in the early morning, on the 2nd day 1/3rd  of the meat is shared with the relatives and the neighbors, and a grand dinner is set for everyone living around. The 3rd day is for the rest and on the 4th day which is called Oinnyad, one of the family members sacrifices a chicken to their Goddess Kine Nane. On the 7th day, males of the community gather and prepare bows and arrows with bamboo sticks and then hang it on the entrance of every house. Then finally on the main day that is on the 10^th day, people pull out the weak plants from their farms as it is believed in this way their goddess will take away all the insects from the farms.

NYOKUM FESTIVAL

Nyokum is a tribal festival celebrated by the Nyishi Tribe on 28^th February for two days by doing their traditional dance in the group. It is celebrated in east kemang district, kurung kumey, papumpar district.

LOSAR FESTIVAL

Losar is celebrated not only in India but also in Bhutan, Tibet, and Nepal. It is basically a new year according to the Tibetan calendar. In this festival people clean and decorate their houses, hoist religious flags and prepare their traditional food and drinks.

DREE FESTIVAL

 Dree is a festival dedicated to God Tamu, Metii, Danyi, and Harniang. This festival includes the making of local beer called apong and the worshiping at a place chosen by the priest near paddy farms. In this festival four gods are worshipped Harniang for keeping the soil fertile and productive, Metii to serve them protection from natural mishappening, Danyi for their prosperity, and Tamu to protect their fields from pests.

BOORI BOOT FESTIVAL

 Boori Boot is a festival dedicated to the spirits as to get blessed with prosperity, the happiness of mankind and to free themselves from various diseases. In this festival, everyone takes part equally from high to lower class without any discrimination. People apply flour on their body and the priest performs a special prayer by sacrificing an animal and offering it to the spirits. 

 So these were some of the unique and amazing festivals of Arunachal Pradesh. Whenever get a chance to visit Arunachal Pradesh, do attend the particular festival of that specific time.

Read : Tourist Places in Arunachal Pradesh

DHARMA COFFEE HOUSE AND LIBRARY

PLACE:- Tawang

FOOD AVILABLE:- Indian & Fast food

MUST HAVE FOOD:- Pizza and coffee

AMBIANCE:- It is a hut shaped café which is apt for people who wants to take rest at a peaceful place with some light snacks along with a positive homely ambiance. Yellow-colored lights are used which is very soothing especially in the evening. You can also pick up any of your favorite books from the bookshelf available there and spend some great time admiring the beauty.

AVERAGE RATE FOR TWO:- 300

RATING:- 4.9 /5

YOUR FAVOURITE CAFÉ

PLACE:- Naharlagun

FOOD AVILABLE:- Italian and basic snacks 

MUST HAVE FOOD:- momos and pasta

AMBIANCE:-  This café has got a decent atmosphere with dim lights and classy décor which is favorable for hangout and meetings. You will find artificial lights and photo frames on the wall which gives this place a very chic look.

RATE FOR TWO:- 550

RATING:- 4.7 /5

CAFÉ NAMHTRAOW

PLACE:- Chongkham

FOOD AVAILABLE:- vegetarian and non-vegetarian

MUST HAVE FOOD:- roasted chicken

AMBIANCE:- this place is at the bank of the river which makes it look more cheerful and welcoming. you can order food and enjoy it while sitting beside the river. It is a very nice place to refresh the mood especially in the evening near the fireplace when the light goes dim and the cold breeze flows.

RATE FOR TWO:- 500

RATING:- 4.1 /5

GOOD VIBES CAFÉ

PLACE:- Hapoli

FOOD AVAILABLE:- fast food

MUST HAVE FOOD:- Burger

AMBIANCE:- it is a pretty awesome place that is decorated with fairy lights, artificial stars, and colorful wooden seating. You can also play games and books are also there which you can read.

RATE FOR TWO:- 300

RATING:- 4.3 /5

CAFÉ NIRVANA

PLACE:- Tawang

FOOD AVILABLE:- Italian

MUST HAVE FOOD:- pasta

AMBIANCE:- Nirvana café provides a totally different vibe and is a great place to sit back and relax and enjoy the beauty of the surrounding.

RATE FOR TWO:- 500

RATING:- 3.0 /5

CAFÉ SUBURB

PLACE:- Tawang

FOOD AVILABLE:- fast food

MUST HAVE FOOD:- Burger

AMBIANCE:- the cafe suburb place is decent and simple with dim lights with wooden furniture. It has a very aesthetic ambiance which you will definitely love.

RATE FOR TWO:- 300

RATING:- 4.0 /5

THE DRAGON RESTAURANT

PLACE:- Tawang

CUISINES AVAILABLE:- Chinese, Indian, Asian & Tibetan 

MUST HAVE FOOD:-  Hot and sweet chicken soup

AMBIANCE:-  This place is small and cozy with wooden work all around and walls decorated with photo frames. You would love to have your meal sitting next to the large windows.

RATE FOR TWO:-  500

RATING:-  3.9/5

ORANGE RESTAURANT

PLACE:- Tawang

CUISINES AVAILABLE:- Indian, Chinese 

MUST HAVE FOOD:- Kababs

AMBIANCE:-  The ambiance of Orange Restaurant is decent and it has multiple types of seating according to your preference. This place opens till 10 pm whereas other restaurants are available till 8 pm.

RATE FOR TWO:- 700

RATING:-  4.5/5

GREENWOOD RESTAURANT

PLACE:- Tawang

CUISINES AVAILABLE:- Indian 

MUST HAVE FOOD:- mixed vegetable rice.

AMBIANCE:-  The place has got blue surroundings with big traditional handmade hand fans and lamps that give a feeling of a 70s classical movie. 

RATE FOR TWO:- 200

RATING:- 4.0 /5

CHINA VALLEY RESTAURANT

PLACE:- Pasighat

CUISINES AVAILABLE:- Chinese, Indian & Asian

MUST HAVE FOOD:-  Dumplings

AMBIANCE:-  It is a cozy restro with a very colorful ambiance having different décor items. The fun part about this place is that it gives the feel of an original Chinese restaurant. A must visit a restaurant in Arunachal Pradesh with your friend or family. 

RATE FOR TWO:- 400

RATING:-  4.0/5

BLUE PINE RESTAURANT

PLACE:- Tawang

CUISINES AVAILABLE:- Chinese, Indian & International 

MUST HAVE FOOD:- Noodles  

AMBIANCE:- Blue Pine Restaurant is a perfect place if you’re looking for a peaceful and soothing place. This place has got windows with white curtains that make this place look heavenly.

RATE FOR TWO:-  600

RATING:-  3.5/5

Also Read : Places to see in Arunachal Pradesh

Lets explore the some tourist places to see in Arunachal Pradesh

  NAMDAPHA NATIONAL PARK

Namdapha National Park is India’s third-largest national park and is one of the best places for people who love to experience wildlife. This place is located in Changlang District of Arunachal Pradesh. Here you can enjoy camping, jungle safari,  wildlife photography, boating, etc. The Namdapha national park includes everything like jungles, valleys,  rivers, lakes, and mountains and one can also see animals like red pandas, clouded snow leopards.

SELA PASS

Sela Pass is found in Tawang and is surrounded by 101 lakes all around is a famous place in Arunachal Pradesh.  It is a sacred place for Buddhists. The pass has a Sela lake that is also called Paradise lake is the main attraction of this place and you can see the Eastern Himalayas from here. During the winter season when the lake gets to freeze, its mesmerizing beauty can leave a great impact on anyone.  

TEZU

Tezu is located in Lohit District of Arunachal Pradesh and the best time to visit this place is from December to July. This place shows the actual culture of Arunachal Pradesh to their visitors like the quaint village, botanical garden, museums, and wildlife sanctuary.

 BOMDILA

Bomdila is located in West Kameng. It is rich with culture, tradition, and wildlife beauty. You can see the Bomdila viewpoint, wildlife sanctuaries, and the Bomdila monastery here. It is basically a lush green hill consist of everything you need to explore.

DIRANG

Dirang valley is also located in West Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh. The best thing about the Dirang valley is that the climate of this place remains pleasant throughout the year so you can visit this place anytime you want. A lot of tribes live here so you can explore that too and learn about tribal culture and livelihood. Dirang has a hot water spring where you can enjoy bathing amidst an amazing atmosphere. It has a Yak Research Centre which has a collection of almost 150 Yaks.

ITANAGAR

Itanagar is capital city of Arunachal Pradesh is famous for its festivals like Losar, Nyokum, Dree, Solung. You can visit the famous Ganga Lake, the Ita Fort, Rupa Hill station, Gompa Buddhist Temple, Wildlife Sanctuary, and Museums. Itanaga ar is a perfect holiday destination.

BHALUKPONG

It is situated beside the river Kamang in Arunachal Pradesh. This place is apt for the people who love adventures like hiking, trekking, river rafting, fishing, and canoeing.

SANGTI

Sangti is 15 km away from Dirang and the best tourist destination in Arunachal Pradesh for the people who seek peace.  Away from the crowded city and want to adore the beauty of nature, Sangti is for you as it has high mountains, a clean river, and lush green valleys.

BUMLA PASS

Bumla pass is situated on high altitude on the Indo –China border and mostly covered with snow. The whole area is surrounded by snow-covered mountains and a lake in between which is a cherry on the top.

ANINI

Anini is a town located in Dibang valley. Idu Mishmi tribal people live here and have their own community. The Dibang wildlife sanctuary which was established in 1992 is located in the north Anini is a must-visit place. Alpine forests with Bamboo, Tsuga, and Abies plants found here. You can also find rare mammals like Musk deer, Res goral, Red panda, and many rare bird species.

 HAYULIANG 

Hayuliang is a village which means “THE PLACE OF MY LIQUOR”. This place is famous in Arunachal Pradesh as it is the meeting point of two rivers named Lohit and Delai. You can stay here and enjoy lofty hills and a charming atmosphere.

PAKHUI WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Pakhui is a wildlife sanctuary found in the foothills of the Himalayas covering 862 sq.km of East Kameng district. It includes more than 40 species like Barking Deer, Elephants, Jackal, Clouded Leopard, and many other species. wildlife safaris and nature walks are other main attractions of the place.  

GORICHEN PEAK

Gorichen’s Peak is located in the Tawang District and can be visited anytime. If you are a thrill lover, then you should definitely visit this place in Arunachal Pradesh. The peak is 6,858 meters high and is a very popular hot spot for camping and trekking.

 MADHURI LAKE

Madhuri lake also called Sangestar Tso lies near the Indo-China border is a beautiful place surrounded by high hills and greenery. Here the movie Koyla was shot in which Madhuri Dixit played the lead role.

AALO

Aalo is also known as Along is the headquarter of West Siang. It is a great holiday destination with orange gardens, buckwheat  plantation and valleys along with two rivers flowing named as Sipu and Yomgo.

 ZIRO

Ziro is an old town in Arunachal Pradesh and like a paradise with pine hills and rice fields. You can also find the Apa Tani tribe. The climate is mild throughout the year.

ROING

Roing is a place with peaked mountains, lakes, rivers, and many archaeological sites. It is a very attractive destination for tourists in Arunachal Pradesh. Bhishmak Nagar and Nehru Udyan are historical places here which you can visit for sure.

 TIRAP

Tirap district is located in the south-eastern part of Arunachal Pradesh. The place is famous among the tourists as it has a divine aura created by tribal people who lived there. Their culture and amazing artwork depict dedication towards their work. They also make beads jewelry and headgears which they exported and termed very valuable in the other territories.

DAPORIJO

Daporijo is a small town found on the way between Ziro and Along situated 600 m above the sea level.  Daporijo is famous for its ethnic culture and magnificent view. It is believed that this town has been situated since the time of Mahabharata. People in this town wear colorful clothes and make bamboo handicrafts.

KHONSA

Khonsa is the headquarters of Tirap which is about 1215 m above sea level. It is a small hill station with exquisite natural beauty. You can visit the Khonsa museum which has tribal artifacts and can also get the touch of Tibetian culture by visiting Miao which is 154 km away from Khonsa.

 TAWANG

Tawang is situated on the hill which is above 1000feet from sea level and the best time to visit this place is from October to March. But to experience snowfall, visit in December and January. You can visit Bumal, Tawang war memorial, monastery, and Madhuri lake.

Arunachal Pradesh is a scintillating beautiful place for people who love to explore totally different places and indulge in different traditions. Arunachal Pradesh’s most areas have tribal people that demand prior permission from authorities to enter their territories.

Tawang is famous for being the birthplace of Lobsang Gyatso, the sixth Dalai Lama and also known for having the largest Buddhist monastery in India. There are many lakes, rivers, and waterfalls here. When the reflection of blue sky and clouds emerges in the water, then this site proves to be an unending sight for tourists.

Places to see in Tawang

Sela Pass: Sela Pass is the most visited place in Arunachal Pradesh Tawang. It is one of the high-altitude mountains in the world. It connects town Tawang to Dhirang and Guwahati. Sela Lake, near the pass, is sacred in Tibetan Buddhism.

Tawang Monastery:  Tawang Monastery is the largest monastery in India and the second-largest in the world after Potala Palace. It is in the northwestern part of Arunachal Pradesh which is situated in the valley of the Tawang River. It was established during the 17th century by the Mera Lama. This monastery is also famous for its amazing collection of manuscripts, books, and other artefacts.

Nuranang Falls:  Nuranang Falls, also known as bong bong falls, is at an altitude of about 100 meters. The Nooranang River and the Nuranang Falls are named after a local woman named Nura who helped soldiers in the 1962 Indo-China war.

Bumla Pass: Bumla Pass is about 37 km from Tawang and is about 16,500 feet above sea level. The time between May and October is appropriate to visit here. The immense beauty of this place attracts people towards it.

Tawang War Memorial: Tawang War Memorial is located at a height of 40 feet which is built in the form of a stupa. This memorial is dedicated to the martyrs of the India-China war held in 1962. This monument is situated amidst beautiful peaks. This memorial is popularly known as Namgyal Chorten.

Fairs and Festivals

Fairs and Festivals form an important part of the tribal people of Arunachal Pradesh. The same goes for the Monpa tribe of Tawang. Like other tribes of Arunachal Pradesh, the festivals of the Monpa community are mainly associated with agriculture and religion. Monpas of Tawang celebrate many festivals every year. One of them is Losar. It is a New Year festival, celebrated in full swing in late February and early March. Toragya is another important festival. It is celebrated every year on the 28th of the 11th month according to the lunar calendar. It is believed that this festival is celebrated to expel evil spirits who cause diseases and misfortune in humans as well as crops. The Saka Dawa festival is also celebrated on the 28th of the 11th month according to the lunar calendar, which usually falls in January. Its purpose is to protect crops from supernatural powers and to produce good yields.

Arts and Crafts of Tawang Region

The Monpa people are skilled craftsmen. The beauty of wood articles, woven carpets, and bamboo utensils is worth seeing. People here have also earned a lot of fame through Thanka painting and handmade paper. The wooden facade is also prominent in the artefacts made of wood.

Best time to visit Tawang

The best time to visit Tawang is from the month of March to October. During this time, the weather here is very pleasurable.

How to reach Tawang

Tawang can be reached from other parts of the country via Guwahati and Tezpur. Flights are available from Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad and all other major cities to Guwahati.