Arunachal Pradesh – the Indian state which resides in the far off northeast region has one of the most spectacular views and is blessed with the most beautiful landscape. The state is also known as the Land of the Dawn-Lit-Mountains as it is the only state in India to receive the first rays of sunlight every single day.
About Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal is also known as the Orchid State of India or even the Paradise of the Botanists. It is one of the most popular destinations in Northeast India and considered to be the country’s wildest and least explored state.
Although a remote state yet Arunachal receives a good number of travelers every year who loved to explore the offbeat. The adventure, excitement, cultures, tribe’s and the beauty that this state has to offer is unbeatable. Travelers love this place for being so raw and rough. No matter how many days you stay here or how many times you have visited this state, it’s never going to be enough.
Arunachal Pradesh is a diverse state and comprises the majority of Monpa people. The others include the Tani people, Tai people, and Naga people. The climate of this state changes with altitude. The higher you go the colder it gets. Here you will find a lot of wildlife and a huge diversity of birds and mammals.
The state borders other states such as Assam and Nagaland and also shares international borders with Bhutan, Myanmar, and China. Although the state has good weather throughout the year yet the best time to visit Arunachal would be during winters as the entire state is covered in snow. If you are an explorer then an entire month will also be less to explore this place. However, there are few places in the state which you definitely cannot miss.
5 Best Places to visit in Arunachal Pradesh
Tawang
As soon as you enter Arunachal you make your first visit to Tawang which is bordered by Tibet, Bhutan, and Sela Ranges. Tawang is best known for its monasteries and is located 10000 feet above sea level. Tawang is also known as ‘Mon-Yul’ and has been traditionally inhabited by the Monpa tribe who are still a majority in this region.
This is one reason why this place has a rich culture and traditions amongst them. Apart from the beautiful landscape, there is one thing that will immediately get your attention and that is the 400-year-old Tawang Monastery. This is one of the largest monasteries in India which was a part of Tibet until the 20th century.
In Tawang the places that are a must-visit are
Tawang War Memorial
Panga Teng Tso Lake
Bumla Pass
Jaswant Garh
Nuranang Falls
Nagula Lake
Shonga-tser Lake
Geshila Peak
Thingbu Hot Spring
Gorichen Peak
Roing
This is again another breath-taking destination of Arunachal Pradesh. The beautiful climate here, the snow-capped mountains, crystal clear rivers, waterfalls, and lakes make Roing a very popular place amongst tourists. This place is actually a trekkers paradise with various routes that take you to breath-taking spots.
The people you meet in Roing are known for their hospitality and you will absolutely love them. If you are someone who loves to witness some amazing culture and heritage then you should definitely head here. Roing is located in the Lower Dibang Valley District in the easternmost part of Arunachal Pradesh.
And some of the places that you must definitely visit here are
Mayudia Pass
Mehao Lake
Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary
Bhismaknagar Fort
Nijomaghat
Iphi Pani Ghat
Anini
Anini is the headquarters of the Dibang Valley district and here the clouds meet the land. The entire place is not much explored due to which it’s scenic beauty is still intact. Anini is a small underdeveloped town, mainly because of its remoteness but yet it is very well connected through roads and also through air.
Anini is situated at an altitude of about 2000 meters or about 6500 feet above sea level. Here you can meet different tribals and witness their subtle heritage and culture. The Idu Mishmi tribal people constitute a majority here. This place is truly blessed with immense beauty and nature. For anyone who visits Anini for the first time, you will definitely fall in love with this piece of heaven.
When you visit Anini you should definitely not miss these places here
Mathun Valley (Mipi)
Dri Valley (Dambeun)
Athupopu
Daporijo
This is located in the northeastern state of Arunachal and is situated 600 meters above sea level. The town of Daporijo is usually considered to be a stopover town while on the way from Along to Ziro.
This beautiful town is known for its ethnic cultures and its mesmerizing beauty. Daporijo is also home to people of different tribes such as the Tagin, Galo, Hilmiri, etc. The oldest tribe here is the Mishmi tribe which is believed to have existed since the Mahabharata era.
It is best to visit Daporijo during winters and best to avoid it during the monsoons as the landscape could get really tricky. Should you wish to shop here in Daporijo then the people here specialize in Bamboo handicrafts and colorful costumes.
However, on your visit to Arunachal Pradesh, you should definitely stay over at this beautiful location and not miss some of the most interesting places it has to offer such as
Meghna Cave Temple
Kamala Reserve Forest
Rafting in river Subansiri
Good Shepard Church
Pasighat
Perched at an altitude of 155m above sea level and founded by the British in 1911 AD, this town lies on the banks of the river Siong River and is the gateway to Arunachal Pradesh. The breathtaking town is covered with lush green forests, sparkling waterfalls, splendidly alluring hanging bridges, and glorious mountain ranges.
In Pasighat you can do few adventure activities such as Kayaking, Rafting, and Fishing. Even the mighty Brahmaputra flows to Pasighat that too directly from Tibet.
The best time to visit Pasighat is during the months of November to April however even if you visit this place on any other months of the year, you are going to witness the most amazing sunrises of your life. And if you visit Pasighat during September then you are going to be thrilled to witness the very attractive Adi Festival in Solung which provides an unmatched visual spectacle packed with animistic sacrifices and colorful dances.
Apart from the festivals and the tribes some of the must-visit places while in Pasighat are definitely
Daying Ering Wildlife Sanctuary
Pangin
Kekar Monying
Komsing
Conclusion
Arunachal Pradesh is like a pandora’s Box but in a good sense. It is home to the unexplored passes, mountains, monasteries, lakes, and many more. It’s definitely a must-visit place and should be on everyone’s bucket list.
It’s best to experience the surreal beauty of Arunachal Pradesh than reading about it. It’s a lot more than what you might have ever read or seen in pictures or videos. In fact, it won’t be wrong if we say that Arunachal is definitely the most beautiful state we have ever been to in India.