Top 5 Must See Tourist Places in Arunachal Pradesh, India

Arunachal Pradesh - with verdant forests, lofty mountains, awesome religious sites, unadulterated widespread greenery, rich flora and fauna, swift rivers and picturesque lakes - is fast becoming one of the most adorable tourist destinations in Eastern India. The state is a treasure trove of magnificent tourist spots and presents a pleasant spectacle with the mountains that surround it. Arunachal Pradesh is the ideal place for many adventure sports activities like water rafting, boating, kayaking and angling. Arunachal is bordered by Assam and Nagaland and Bhutan.

Itanagar, known as 'Land of the Dawnlit Mountains' is located in the foothills of the Himalayas, is the capital of Arunachal Pradesh. The capital is split two different towns - the Itanagar on the hilltop and the town of Naharlagun in the valley. It is not surprising that tourists flock to Itanagar lured by the natural beauty of this hill resort.

One of the most popular tourist destinations in Itanagar is the ancient Ita Fort built in the 14th Century. Itafort is situated at the heart of the capital complex in Papum Pare District and it is a fort of irregular shape, built mainly with bricks. The other places of interest in Itanagar are the Buddhist Monastery, Jawaharlal Nehru Memorial Museum and the picturesque Ganga Lake where boating facilities are available. The landmark Buddha Vihar has a striking yellow roof and is set amidst romantic green gardens.

The Tawang Monastery or Gompa is a 400 year old Buddhist monastery founded by a monk, Mera Lama, a contemporary of the fifth Dalai Lama. The entire monastery is in the nature of a walled city with narrow streets and stone houses wherein over 500 monks dwell. The Tawang Monastery includes an expansive library that is the storehouse of old scriptures, painted tapestries, rare hand written and block-printed manuscripts of religious books and gold lettered Buddhist scriptures. One can gain glimpses of the Tibetan influence here – reflected in the elaborately painted wooden windows and other motifs.

The Tawang Gompa is home to the 18 foot high gilded Buddha statue at the entry gate, which is aesthetically decorated with paintings. The ceiling is painted with Buddhism folklore. Research scholars, Buddhist monks and devotees of different faiths from all over the world visit the Tawang Monastery to chant, pray and meditate in this quiet and sublime retreat.

Daporijo is a large fascinating town situated at the confluence of the Sippi and Subansiri rivers - on the right bank of River Subansiri. Places of interest are the local villages in and around the town and a quaint cave a few kilometers away. Daporijo is ideal for trekking and angling in River Subansiri.
Daporijo is home to important tribes the Hill Miris, Tagins and Adi-Gallongs. The Adis are very accomplished weavers of cane goods and much of their dexterous skills can be seen in the famous cane suspension bridges of Arunachal Pradesh.

Tawang, is the land dominated by the local Monpa and Sherdukpen tribes and it boasts of centuries-old monastery, dragon gates, hundred pristine lakes and many gorgeous waterfalls. Poised high up in the misty-eyed Eastern Himalayas, the true charm of Tawang is its serene isolation, further enhanced by the presence of splendorous vistas, placid lakes, swirling brooks, and the overwhelming spiritual fragrance. The soggy, rocky mountains, snowcapped peaks and time-honored monasteries looming large in the skyline, lend an enchantment to the place. The township stands on the spur of a hill over 12,000 ft. above the sea level.

Bomdila is a spectacular town and the capital of West Kameng district. Bomdila, situated at a height of 2,530 meters, offers breathtakingly panoramic views of Himalayan landscapes and the snow clad mountain peaks. Bomdila, is home to luscious apple orchards, wild orchids, verdant forests and cascading waterfalls. This area has had strong Tibetan and Buddhist links over many centuries and is home to many Buddhist monasteries called 'Gumphas'. One other place of interest here is the Ethnographic Museum.

Ziro is a picturesque valley of the Apatani plateau to the north of Itanagar. The valley is surrounded by rare pine covered mountains. The place has an all-pervading aroma of the mist, wafting of gentle breeze and the echo sound of the forest - a place that can be an Anthropologist's delight. On way to Along lies the magnificent Malinithan temple. One should visit he legendary Akashi Ganga - a point from where one can get an unusual over view of the Bhramhaputra and its tributaries. The untainted natural beauty has made Along a popular holiday resort especially for those looking for reprieve from the hot summer. River rafting, fishing, trekking and hiking on the nearby river Siyom, can provide immense delight.

Pasighat is the headquarters of East Siang district, situated on the right bank of river Siang (river Bhramhaputra) in Arunachal Pradesh. Miss not a visit to Dr. D. Ering Wildlife Sanctuary where rare species of buffalos, tigers, samber deer and wild ducks are abundantly present.

Five major rivers - Kameng, Subansiri, Siang, Lohit and Tirap - branching out from the ever-flowing Brahmaputra and countless other rivulets meander all over the mystic land of Arunachal Pradesh. Wildlife is another key aspect of tourism in Arunachal Pradesh. The state has two national parks, eight wildlife sanctuaries and a biosphere reserve. The forests of Arunachal Pradesh are home to about 5000 plants, 85 land mammals, 600 varieties of orchids and over 500 rare types of birds.