Mechuka

Mechuka (also spelled Menchukha) is a wide, grassy valley at about 1,830 m (6,000 ft) on the Siyom (Yargyap Chu) river in Shi Yomi district, just 29 km from the McMahon Line. Surrounded by snow-capped peaks, pine forests and wooden Memba villages, it has a feel more like Tibet or Bhutan than the rest of Arunachal, and its remoteness keeps visitor numbers low.

The valley is home to the Memba people, who follow Tibetan Buddhism, alongside Adi sub-groups such as the Ramo and Bokar. On a hilltop above town stands the Samten Yongcha Monastery, around 400 years old, with fine murals and views over the valley. Other sights include the hanging bridges across the Siyom, the Guru Nanak Taposthan Gurdwara, small lakes and meadows ideal for picnics, and the airstrip once used by the Air Force.

Mechuka is a trekking and camping destination as much as a sightseeing one; day hikes lead to ridges and frozen lakes in winter. The long drive from Aalo through dense forest is part of the adventure.