When the first rays of the sun touch India, they fall on the quiet hills of Dong village in Arunachal Pradesh’s Anjaw district. Nestled at 1,240 metres above sea level, this tiny hamlet near the India-China-Myanmar tri-junction has long been a hidden gem for trekkers and explorers. Now, Dong is stepping into the spotlight as the state gears up to host the first-ever Sunrise Festival from 29 December 2025 to 2 January 2026.
For the people of Arunachal, the sunrise has always been more than just a daily ritual. It symbolizes hope, beginnings, and the rhythm of life in the eastern frontier. By turning Dong’s unique geographical position into a celebration, the festival promises to offer something rare: a chance to witness the country’s first dawn of the New Year in a land where nature meets culture.
The five-day festival is designed as a blend of adventure, culture, and eco-tourism. Visitors can trek through verdant forests, camp under starlit skies, and indulge in ethnic cuisine prepared by local communities. Traditional dances, folk songs, and storytelling sessions will showcase the indigenous heritage of Arunachal’s tribes, while adventure seekers can look forward to trekking trails, riverside picnics, and guided eco-tours.
Chief Minister Pema Khandu has called the festival a major step in branding Arunachal Pradesh as a “sunrise state for tourism.” With new air routes under the UDAN scheme improving connectivity to Tezu and Dibrugarh airports, reaching Dong is no longer the challenge it once was. From Tezu, a road trip through winding valleys brings travelers to the village—an adventure in itself.
But beyond tourism, the festival has deeper significance. Dong’s location near international borders makes it a strategic frontier, and developing it for tourism aligns with both economic growth and national security objectives. The event is expected to boost local entrepreneurship, as villagers open homestays, food stalls, and craft markets for visitors.
As the world looks for fresh destinations to celebrate the New Year, Dong offers an experience unlike any other. Imagine ringing in 2026 by standing on a hilltop, watching the very first sunrise of the year—long before the rest of India even stirs awake. That’s the promise of the Sunrise Festival, a journey not just to a place, but to the edge of time itself.