my story: November 2025

Hot Water Springs, Dirang, (Hot Springs, Dirang.)

Hot water springs in Dirang are promoted as a major tourist attraction and are locally and generally referred to simply as "Hot Spring", omitting the word "water". I am also going to refer to it as Hot Sprigs.

Hot Springs are located about 2 km on Tawang Road from the Dirang Town Centre. It is an open public site. There is no entry fee, and there are no working hours. Visit during daylight hours is recommended for personal safety, as the approach path is in bad condition and not lighted.

After leaving our hotel, we were to stop at the hot springs. So when our driver stopped the Urbania, we did not know why he had stopped, as we could not see a hot spring or any indication that hot springs were anywhere close by. The driver pointed to a battered, old and disfigured signboard announcing the presence of hot springs.

The message on the other side of the board is in a slightly better condition, but if approaching from Dirang, one can not see this board as it is hidden by vegetation and trees, and there is every possibility that the visitor will overshoot the location and take some time to find the approach path to the hot springs, which is located close to this battered sign board.

From the Tawang road, one has to walk down for about 100 meters on a descending path towards the Dirang River to reach the hot springs. At a fast pace, it takes only around 5 minutes to reach from the road to the hot springs.

The descending path starts near the signboard. Concrete steps lead downwards. Soon, the steps are replaced by a narrow paved path leading down towards the Dirang River. Both sides of the steps and this narrow path are bordered by wild growth of grass and vegetation. As one follows this narrow path, the condition worsens, and the surface becomes broken. Towards the end of the path, there are steps again, but they are broken and in a bad state. One has to be very careful to negotiate the last portion of the path; otherwise, there is every chance of a mishap and an injury.

The gradient is reasonably steep. On the way back to the main road, If you are not fit, you may have to rest in between to catch your breath.

For a place being touted as an attraction, the approach path to that "attraction" is in pathetic condition.

One is thankful that one has to walk for only around 5 minutes to reach the hot spring. Anything longer and it would have been a really trying exercise.

First look at the hot springs every everything appears quite colourful. The complete area of hot springs is divided into two paved areas, one upper and one lower level.

The lower level has a children's play pen, and the upper area has benches and tables, etc, for the visitors to relax. This level has built-in steps to descend to the hot water pools. At either end of the upper level are changing rooms for gentlemen and ladies.

The depth of the water appeared to be just 6 to 8inches in these pools. Of the two hot water pools.

One of the pools has a gravel bottom. In this pool, from the top left corner, bubbles were seen coming out of the gravel bottom. This is where the underground hot spring water enters the pool and is warmest. As you get away from that corner, the water gets cooler.

The other pool seems to be paved with large quartz pebbles. The pebble flooring is broken in places, and muddy soil is seen in these broken portions.

Though I did not see any notices, I presume one of the pools would be for gentlemen and the other for the ladies.,

Towards the hillside of the upper level of the hotwater pools, there is a retaining wall separating the hot spring area from the hillside, which is covered with wild vegetation growth and tall evergreen trees. The wall construction is based on the Tibetan style. It is painted in bright terracotta red colour. It has a niche for a Buddha statue. When we saw it the niche was empty, but a Buddha statue was placed near it. Beautiful and colourful Tibetan motifs are painted on this wall.

This Beautiful and colourful wall with the Tibetan motifs is the only saving grace that would make a visitor smile and feel good.

The hot water spring is a total disappointment due to its sorry state caused by to neglect and apathy of the authorities.

What is urgently needed is a total makeover of the approach path.

Reconstruction of the pools themselves under the guidance of experts in the field. Regular maintenance and care of hot springs is being touted as a tourist attraction.

Approach path to the hot springs Dirang is located next to this battered and disfigured sign board.

Approach path to the hot springs Dirang.

Hot springs, Dirang.

one odd Children's play things is completely broken and others were also not too good condition.

there were plenty of plactic plant- pots for balcony railings were installed. All were sans any plant some had garbage in place of plants. Plants in bigger pots were in reasonable state.

Hot water springs, Dirang.

Bubble were seen towards the top left corner area. That is where the water from underground hot water springs enters the pool and is warmest. As you get away from that corner, the water gets cooler.

Hot water springs, Dirang.

Bottom paved with larger quartz pebbles.

The base is broken with pebbles missing. Mud patches and soil exposed.

This Beautiful and colourful wall with the Tibetan motifs is the only saving grace that would make a visitor smile and feel good.

At Hot Springs, Dirang.

Hot spring, Dirang.

could not find out purpose of this structure. Appears to be an incinerator.

View of the hotel Rigsel and Dirang River from Hot Springs, Dirang.

View of the hotel Rigsel from Hot Springs, Dirang.

Cropped copy

All the area in front is the plantation of Kiwi Fruits. Unfortunately could not get a closer look at Kiwi Plants.

Hotel Rigsel.

Hotel Rigsel is located across the Dirang River, in a remote or rather less populated, area North of Dirang Town. So there is a total absence of traffic and other city noises. A big plus point.

The grounds are planted with Persimmon and Kiwi Fruit. When we were there, the Persimmon Fruit trees were fully loaded with fruit, may be the season was right for these fruits.

It is a very impressive four-storied pyramidal structure where the width of the building reduces with each increase in floor height. The paintings and designs on the walls give the building a monastery-like look. Very impressive.

The reception hall is open to the ceiling, which gives a feeling of a 'huge" reception Hall. The reception staff was polite, and checking in was smooth, as was the transfer of luggage to the rooms. However, no welcome drink. Whether one drinks a welcome drink or not, at a class of Rigsel hotel, one expects such minor gestures.

We had a room facing the Dirang River. The view of the Eastern Himalayan mountain ranges and the northern suburbs (?) of Ditang town was fantastic.The rooms were spacious, airy and clean with plenty of natural light.

The bathroom was also spacious and good. The tiling of the bathroom was nice, and the theme of jumping dolphins, quite imaginative.

As is normal with this class of hotel, an electric tea kettle, tea and coffee materials were provided. The supply of coffee and whitener was miserly. For coffee colour to be anywhere near acceptable, unless one is drinking black coffee, a minimum of three satches of whitener are required. Even when asked for, if my memory serves me right, they were not provided. Something not at all expected from this class of hotel.

Breakfast was quite nice. The staff of the dining room consisted of young local girls. They were willing and eager workers, but their inexperience was noticeable. I am sure they will learn and improve with time and be an asset to the hotel.

Except for the small irritant of coffee and whitener, as well as a matter of a welcome drink, if the management decides it can easily be overcome,

The stay was quite pleasant.