Dong In Arunachal Pradesh To Host First-Ever Sun Rise Festival This New Year

When the first rays of the sun touch Indian soil, they do so at Dong, a tiny village nestled in the remote Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh. Framed by snow-tipped ridges and tucked away at the tri-junction of India, China, and Myanmar, Dong is not just a geographical landmark but a place of quiet symbolism. This winter, it will step into the national spotlight as Arunachal Pradesh launches its first-ever Sun Rise Festival.Chief Minister Pema Khandu announced the five-day festival on Saturday (Sep 6), saying it would run from December 29 to January 2. His words, shared in a post on X, carried both pride and an invitation: “Landed in Walong, Anjaw district, and will be heading towards Dong, the place where the first sun ray touches Indian soil. To boost tourism and create new opportunities for adventurers and nature lovers, I am delighted to announce that from this year onwards we will be hosting a five-day Sun Rise Festival at Dong. Come, witness the first dawn of the New Year in the Land of the Rising Sun!”A Dawn To RememberFor locals, watching the sunrise in Dong is part of everyday life. For visitors, it is a pilgrimage to the edge of the map, where time itself feels different. At an altitude of about 1,240 metres, the village provides one of the most pristine vantage points in the Eastern Himalaya. As the first morning light spills over the valleys, Dong earns its place as the easternmost sentinel of India. The festival aims to transform this natural phenomenon into a shared celebration of culture, nature, and community.Officials in the state tourism department said the Sun Rise Festival will be more than just an event to watch the sun climb above the mountains. Local cultural performances, traditional dances, eco-tourism events, and adventure activities are all being planned. Trekkers can expect guided walks across pine-scented trails, while nature lovers may explore the pristine environment with its orchids, butterflies, and rare bird species. For the people of Anjaw, the festival will be an opportunity to showcase their heritage and open their homes and traditions to the rest of the country.Putting Dong On The MapFor decades, Dong remained little more than a dot on survey charts, visited occasionally by trekkers, researchers, or defence personnel. Connectivity was limited, and despite its unique distinction, the village stayed on the fringes of India’s tourism narrative. In recent years, however, the Arunachal government has invested in infrastructure to make remote Anjaw more accessible. Roads have been strengthened, homestays encouraged, and cultural festivals promoted. The Sun Rise Festival is the latest step in that long journey, one that hopes to place Dong firmly on the national and international tourism map.State officials said the festival would highlight Anjaw’s natural and cultural richness, promoting it as a destination for adventure tourism and eco-conscious travel. “This initiative is about more than a festival,” one tourism officer explained. “It is about making Arunachal a year-round destination, especially for those who want to explore India’s less-travelled frontiers.”Symbolism At The EdgeBeyond the practicalities of tourism, the Sun Rise Festival carries symbolic weight. Dong’s claim that it is the first place in India to see the sun each morning has long been celebrated locally. By formalising a festival around it, the state is embracing that symbolism as a cultural identity. To begin a new year in the place where the first dawn breaks over Indian soil is to link a personal celebration with a collective national story.For visitors who make the journey, the festival promises a mix of serenity and spectacle. As the fire of the first dawn lights up the Himalayan slopes, drums and folk songs will echo through the valley. Trekkers will watch the play of colour on distant peaks, while villagers offer glimpses of a life lived in harmony with the rhythms of nature.Looking AheadAs Arunachal Pradesh positions itself as a hub for adventure and nature-based tourism, the Sun Rise Festival may well become a signature event. Like the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland or the Ziro Festival of Music in Arunachal itself, Dong’s celebration could attract travellers from across the country and abroad.For now, the anticipation is palpable. In the words of a local official, “This is not just about welcoming the New Year. It is about welcoming the world to Dong.”(With inputs from PTI)FAQs︱Sun Rise Festival In DongQ1. Where is Dong village located?Dong is a small village in Anjaw district, Arunachal Pradesh, situated near the tri-junction of India, China, and Myanmar.Q2. Why is Dong famous?Dong is the first place in India to see the sunrise each morning, earning it the title of India’s easternmost village.Q3. What is the Sun Rise Festival in Dong?The Sun Rise Festival is a new five-day cultural and adventure event announced by the Arunachal Pradesh government, beginning December 29, 2025.Q4. What can tourists expect at the Sun Rise Festival?The festival will feature cultural performances, traditional dances, trekking, eco-tourism activities, and local homestay experiences.Q5. How can travellers reach Dong village?Dong is accessible via Walong in Anjaw district. The nearest airports are Dibrugarh and Tezu, with road connectivity gradually improving.Q6. Which other festivals in Arunachal Pradesh are popular?Arunachal Pradesh is known for events like the Ziro Festival of Music, Siang River Festival, and Losar, now joined by the new Sun Rise Festival in Dong.Ziro Valley: The UNESCO-Listed Gem Of Arunachal Pradesh You Must Visit