The small town of Tawang is perched at a height of over 10,000 ft above sea level. It is an important Buddhist center of northeast India. The origin of the Tawang monastery can be traced to the mid-17th century. A monk, Mera Lama, a contemporary of the fifth Dalai Lama, founded this monastery. The sixth Dalai Lama was born in this monastery. The Tawang Monastery is also known as the 'Galden Namgyal Lhatse.' This monastery is a virtual treasure trove of Tibetan Buddhist culture. The Parkhang hall within the monastery has a library that houses a good collection of rare Buddhist manuscripts and thanka paintings (traditional Tibetan paintings on cloth). The monastery complex also houses a towering 18-ft-high gilded statue of the Buddha in the prayer hall. The monastery is situated on a spur about 2 km from the heart of the town. Tawang provides the traveler with panoramic view of the eastern Himalayas. The area around Tawang is suitable for trekking and hiking.