‘Roing’ – technically it’s a place at 28°8′34″N 95°50′34″E. But emotionally, for me it’s a place of unexplored natural beauty and wilderness. It’s a small town in Lower Dibang Valley district in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh. I have lived my innocent 15 years of life in this town. Apart from bad roads, electricity shortage and frequent ethnic fights this place is a visual treat to any cameraman’s lens. With very less population this place is untouched with city-luxuries like pub, cinemas and traffic. I have spent my childhood in exploring this town on my bicycle. My friends always ask me about the place I lived because its a place unknown to the world as rightly titled by Indian tourism department ‘ it’s a paradise unexplored.’ Let me give you all a picture of this town.
At a height of 2600 m approximately from the sea level it’s a place of snow peaked mountains, turbulent rivers, waterfalls, lakes and of course a sexy climate. All this untouched and virgin! The town can be divided into two parts. The uptown where you have all the picnic spots like Deopani River, Mayudia- A Hill resort, Mehao lake, Sally lake, Iphipani river, a park and a zoo. The downtown has the mix of commercial outlets and churches and temples. Some good Chinese and north-eastern food joints are also found here. An evening at downtown is a heavenly treat for your taste buds. From momos, thukpas to chats… you’ll find everything to keep your tummy happy. One has to pedal hard when travelling uptown.
Residential areas are situated at the center of town. Most of them are government colonies with individual homes (No apartments). They are made in very peculiar manner. All houses stand on pillars! Yes, they say that its done to minimize the damage to home during earthquakes. Its a ‘shaky’ place and i have experienced it many times. The floor is wooden made which helps to keep the room temperature warm. All homes look similar with slanted rooftops. The soil is very fertile and every home has their own garden with flowers and vegetables.
How to reach:
Train: Sorry boss! Upto Tinsuikya only, which is in Assam.
Airway: Sorry boss! Upto Dirugarh (again Assam) or if you can afford to hire a helicopter.
Roadways: From Tinsuikya you can take private buses to Roing. Journey time is 5 hours which includes 1 hour on a ferry boat ride too.
With one of the most challenging terrains in the world Roing is technically detached from the outer world especially during the rainy season. It’s a paradise for trekkers and explorers. Road connectivity to other cities is very poor. You can get some descent hotels to stay. I can promise that you’ll return with a peaceful mind from here but only thing is come with an adventurous mind.