Bomdila

District Head Quarter of Kameng

Any tour in Western Arunachal Pradesh would include a night's stay in Bomdila. The place is about 100 km from Bhalukpong, the entry point of Western Arunachal Pradesh. The drive time, depending on the road condition may take five to six hours. Bomdila is situated at an altitude of 8,000 to 8,300 feet. The altitude varies between different parts of the town as the town is on a mountain slope.

Bomdila is the district headquarters of West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh. The town has a population of about 8,000. It has all the modern facilities such as School, College, stadium etc.

The majority of the local population includes aborigines such as the Aka, Miji, Monpa, Sherdukpen Bogun, and other tribes.

What to see

For most tourists, Bomdila is a one-night stopover destination on the way to Tawang. Most visitors reach here late in the evening and start the onward journey the next day early, leaving little time to explore the town. If you have some time in hand there is a lot you can do and see here.

Visiting the local market can be an enriching experience. There are ladies selling handicraft items such as bags with intricate designs. You can also buy the famous chilli which is known as "Bhut Jolokia" in Assam and is said to be the hottest chilli in the world. According to Guinness, the chilli is about 400 times hotter than normal chilli.

Monasteries There are as many as three monasteries in Bomdila. The main monastery is located in the market area within walking distance from all hotels. The monastery is a replica of the Tsonga Monastery of Tibet and was established in 1965. The middle monastery is located close to Bomdila Stadium and also within the main town. The third monastery is a little away from the town and needs a long walk or vehicle transport to reach there. The name of the monastery is Gentse Gaden Rabgyel Ling Monastery, commonly referred to as the Upper Gompa. This monastery was established in 1965.

District Museum - The ethnographic museum is located on a two-story building near the highway in Bomdila. The district museum is open Monday to Friday between 10 AM and 4 PM. So if you are in Bomdila for one night, you might as well give this place a miss.

If you have a full day at Bomdila, we may organize a visit to all the local sightseeing points including a visit to the Kiwi Gardens which are about 40 km away.