Zemithang Travel Guide

Zemithang is a Monpa settlement with large stone houses in Tawang district. It is located at the head of a picturesque valley, created by the river Namjang Chu river flowing in from Tibet. Zemithang lies in the remote and sometimes isolated north-west corner, sandwiched between Bhutan and China. It is 93km away from Tawang.

In Arunachal Pradesh, the beautiful hilly state located at north eastern region of India, there are many places that lure tourists. If you are looking for a place that is devoid of the crowd and busyness of urban life, head for Zemithang. It is very close to both China and Bhutan. The region is home to the Monpa tribes who are devout followers of Buddhism.

Zemithang is not your typical tourist destination where you can expect well adorned hotels or excellent transport facilities. In the adjacent villages home stays have come up in recent times. There is an Inspection Bungalow at Zemithang that you can also opt for. From Tawang, it is 3 hours journey by road, the distance being 93 km approx. Buses ply from Tawang to Zemithang but you may also opt for a cab by hiring in advance.

After reaching the serene and picturesque village in remote fringe of Arunachal, there are many things a tourist can do.

The amazing natural beauty of the surrounding is worth exploring. If you venture a little, observing various types of bird species is possible. The beauty of the place makes the shutterbugs excited. In last few years, rare black necked cranes were spotted in the village. The bird is deemed as holy by the local tribes.

You can also spend time by watching the life and rituals of the Monpa tribe inhabiting this place. The men and women put on authentic Monpa costumes like Singka and Dorma. They also wear yak hair made caps on head. They live mostly in quaint stone houses.Courtesy: 

However, the biggest attraction of Zemithang is the enticing Gorsam Stupa/ Chorten. The largest Stupa in this part of Arunchal, Gorsam Chorten was built by Lama Sangye Pradhar in the 12th century, as historians think. The folklore is the lama built the huge stupa to ward off evil spirits from the region. This semi-circular dome with a pyramidal head atop has 4 miniature stupas around. The base is square and three-tiered. The stupa is almost 100 feet tall, located a little outside the village. It is reminiscent of Kathmandu’s Swambhunath stupa. Reportedly, it took more than a decade to be built. Written records of the stupa no longer exist.