Tawang

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Synopsis

Reaching a height of 22000 ft, this is one of the first regions of the Indian Himalayas to receive snowfall in the month of December every year, and is amongst the less crowded hill stations in the country.

Tucked away at the north-western edge of Arunachal Pradesh near the Bhutanese and Tibetan border, Tawang is a heady brew of scenic beauty, Buddhist heritage and a vibrant culture. Reaching a height of 22000 ft, this is one of the first regions of the Indian Himalayas to receive snowfall in the month of December every year, and is amongst the less crowded hill stations in the country (Indian visitors require a special Inner Line Permit to enter, while foreigners need a Restricted Area Permit). The town lies perched at the top of a mountain and is circled by peaks and a river gorge. The crowning glory is the citadel-like Tawang Monastery, built in the mid-17th century, and considered to be one of the largest in the world.