Walong

Walong is a small administrative and cantonment town in Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh, situated on the banks of the Lohit River at about 1,094 metres elevation. Located near India's easternmost point, it is known for its scenic river valley, forested hills and the Walong War Memorial commemorating the 1962 Battle of Walong. The town serves as a base for visiting Dong Valley, Kibithu and Tilam hot springs and offers a remote Himalayan landscape.

Visitors can expect a remote Himalayan valley town on the Lohit River surrounded by forested hills and pine forests. The main sights are the Walong War Memorial, the river banks, suspension bridges, army cantonment area and viewpoints over the valley. Facilities are basic with small guest houses, homestays and tea stalls. The area is quiet and sparsely populated, with opportunities for nature walks, photography and short treks to nearby villages, hot springs and Dong Valley.

Walong is known for the Battle of Walong fought in October-November 1962, where Indian Army troops defended the Lohit Valley. The Walong War Memorial and the Namti Valley battlefield sites commemorate soldiers who lost their lives. The town has historically served as an administrative and military outpost in the eastern Himalayas on the Lohit River.

The Walong area is inhabited by Meyor (Zakhring) and Mishmi communities with distinct languages, traditions, and Buddhist and animist practices. Local culture is reflected in traditional houses, festivals, and handicrafts, forming part of the cultural landscape of eastern Arunachal Pradesh.