Aunachal Pradesh is the crowning jewel of the northeast because of its charming beauty, alluring environment, and a rustic appearance, which makes it as pretty as a picture. You’ll be able to appreciate this beauty, only if you explore the places to visit in Arunachal Pradesh that have long been unexplored and unspoiled by tourists. These hidden gems are the reason behind this state’s popularity as a tourist destination, and its strategic location bordered by Bhutan, Tibet, and Myanmar makes it an even more fascinating place to travel to.
Here are the top places to visit in Arunachal Pradesh
- Tawang
- Ziro Valley
- Bomdila
- Itanagar
- Sela Pass
- Roing
- Bhalukpong
- Anini
- Mechuka
Tawang: Travel to the Lap of the Himalayas
Tawang is one of the most popular places to visit in Arunachal Pradesh because of several factors. The first being its location; this town is located at an altitude of 3048 m above sea level and offers stunning views of the snow-clad mighty Himalayas. In addition to this, the strong cultural identity of this place is accentuated by the presence of several Buddhist monasteries and monks around this town. Tawang Monastery is the largest monastery in India and the second largest in the world. This monastery is also where the Dalai Lama took refuge after fleeing from Tibet and is the birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama, Tsangyang Gyatso.
Best time to visit: Feb to June and September toNovember
Ziro Valley: A Paradise for Peace Seekers
The true beauty of Arunachal Pradesh is evident in the small towns and villages here, such as the Ziro Valley. This quaint and charming town is famous for its vast paddy fields, bamboo huts, picturesque hamlets, and so on. The best part is that it’s home to the Apa Tani tribe and their culture is strongly felt in this region. All these reasons are why this village is one of the World Heritage Sites as it offers a glimpse into the local and tribal life of this state. The serene environment is ideal for those looking for a peaceful retreat amidst the mountains and picture-perfect scenery
Best time to visit: October to March
Bomdila: Take a Getaway to this Scenic Town
Set at an altitude of 8000 ft. above sea level, this remote town offers a mesmerizing view of snow-laden mountains and bountiful nature. The vibrant landscape here enhanced by the apple orchards, orchid sanctuary, and lush green valleys make it a must-visit location. You’ll have a view of the majestic Goreichen Peak and Kangto Peak, which is why this is an ideal place for mountain lovers. The Buddhist and Hindu temples here against picturesque backdrops are a visual treat. There’s a lot more in store for you once you visit this mystical place
Best time to visit: April to October
Itanagar: Time to Explore the Capital City
Itanagar is a well-known city in Arunachal Pradesh, since it’s the capital of the state. Apart from that, it’s also the largest city in this state with picturesque locations, nestled between two hills. The cultural essence of this city is heavily evident in the attractions here, such as the Ita Fort, Indira Gandhi Park, Ganga Lake, and so on. The pleasant weather here all year round makes this among the attractive places in Arunachal Pradesh to visit. The Buddhist monasteries here add a spiritual and pious aura to the entire city that would make you fall in a trance as you explore this breathtaking beauty
Best time to visit: October to April
Sela Pass: Jaswant Singh Rawat memorial
Sela Pass is among the popular places to visit in India because it’s covered by snow all year round and is located at an altitude of 13,700 ft. The highlight here is the Sela Lake or the Paradise Lake, which is freezes during the winter season and enhances the beauty of this attraction. This place is surrounded by 101 lakes and is considered sacred by the Buddhists. You won’t be disappointed by nature’s gift to Arunachal Pradesh because the shimmering snow paired with stunning views makes up for all the efforts you took to travel here. Since this is a sensitive area, you’ll require an inner line permit to access it, but you must visit this location at least once.
Best time to visit: Feb to April or October to November
Roing: A Natural Haven in Arunachal Pradesh
The name of this place is an Adi word, which means “cool and refreshing,’ and that’s exactly what you’ll feel once you take a trip here. The coolness of the Dibang River and the refreshing aura of this place would enamor you. Wherever you look, you’ll come across gorgeous attractions, such as serene waterfalls, deep gorges, snow-clad mountains, and much more. What makes this place one of the famous destinations for honeymoon in India is it color changing characteristic. As the season changes, this entire place changes color, which is the highlight of this place and makes it a romantic attraction. However, there’s more to it than beauty as it’s a historically significant location as well, which is evident from its archaeological and historical attractions
Best time to visit: October to February
Bhalukpong: Gate way of Arunachal Pradesh
Bhalukpung was governed by local tribal Aka rulers, with occasional political dominance from Bhutan and Assam. Ahom rulers of Assam did not interfere with the local tribals, except for retaliatory raids into the tribal territory. In 1873, the British had declared the area around Bhalukpung as off-limits.
Best time to visit: October to March
Anini:
Anini is where the clouds come down the kiss the land. With much of its beauty peeking from behind the misty air, this unexplored town is the place to visit for pristine calmness.
Lying in the beautiful Dibang Valley district, Anini is marked by pleasant weather and immense natural beauty, making it a tourist's paradise, appearing from the clouds. Its silence, beauty and magic is almost untouched and can relax you to the very core. A popular tourist spot nearby is the Mehao Wildlife Sanctuary. While in Anini, one may want to visit the tribal villages here and experience their subtle heritage and colourful cultures. Some of the tribal villages here are New Anaya, Hunli, Ranli and a few more.
Best time to visit: December to July
Mechuka :
A surreal valley with undulating meadows where horses run wild, sums up the dreamscape of Mechuka valley. This remote valley, 29 kilometres from the China border is one of the most beautiful and unspoilt areas in India. This beauty is further accentuated by the local Memba tribes who reside in quaint wooden houses besides their millet and buckwheat fields. Not only is Mechuka visually stunning, it promises to enrich you with a cultural experience like never before. Memories of your homestay here will stay with you forever, that’s a promise!
Mechuka, colloquially known as Menchukha, is a small town in Arunachal Pradesh that lies 6,000 ft above sea level, surrounded by pine trees and bushes. It is one of the lesser explored valleys in this Himalayan region and thus unspoilt. The main attraction is the 400-year-old Samten Yongcha Monastery of Mahayana Buddhist sect. It houses numerous ancient statues, including that of Guru Padmasambhava, considered to be founder of the Nyingma sect. Colourful costumes and masks created for folklore figures found in Tibetan mythology can also be seen. These masks are often worn during a traditional dance called cham, which is an energetic and lively event that teaches people to shun all that is dark within them and embrace the good tenets of life according to Buddhism, like compassion and love. Many Tibetan festivals, especially Losar, are celebrated with reverence. The Losar festival, celebrated to mark the auspicious start of a new year, sees a lot of visitors who come to offer prayers.
Best time to visit:Feb to November