Dong, December 7: In a bid to position India’s easternmost frontier as a premier destination for eco-tourism and cultural immersion, the remote Himalayan village of Dong is set to host its first-ever Sunrise Festival. Scheduled from December 29, 2025, to January 2, 2026, the event offers visitors the unique distinction of witnessing the very first sunrise of the New Year in the country.
Perched at an altitude of 1,240 meters in the Anjaw district, Dong is geographically renowned as the first inhabited place in India to catch the morning sun. The festival seeks to transform this daily astronomical event into a five-day celebration of nature, heritage, and renewal.
A Celebration on the Edge of India
Dong’s geographic significance is the festival's cornerstone. Located near the tri-junction of India, China, and Myanmar, the village is nestled among pine forests and river valleys.
While major cities across the world celebrate with midnight fireworks, the Sunrise Festival is pivoting toward a quieter, more spiritual start to 2026. Organizers have billed the event as a rare opportunity for travelers to stand in India’s "Land of the Rising Sun" as the first rays break over the eastern horizon on New Year’s Day.
Cultural Immersion and Eco-Tourism
According to the event schedule, activities will commence daily from 7:00 AM. The itinerary is designed to blend adventure with cultural heritage:
• First-Light Rituals: The highlight of the event involves pre-dawn treks to vantage points on Dong Peak and nearby ridges to witness the sunrise.
• Tribal Heritage: The festival will feature traditional music, dance, and cultural displays by local tribal communities, offering a platform for indigenous artistic expression.
• Nature and Adventure: The event includes guided nature walks through the pine-laden Himalayan foothills, camping under the stars, and eco-tourism treks suitable for photographers and nature enthusiasts.
Visitors will also have access to stalls featuring local handicrafts and indigenous cuisine, providing a boost to the local rural economy.
“No Trash. No Trace.”
In a significant move to protect the fragile Himalayan ecosystem, the festival has adopted a strict “No Trash. No Trace. No Excuses.” policy. Organizers are emphasizing a sustainable approach, urging attendees to respect the pristine environment of the Anjaw district. This eco-conscious framework sets the Sunrise Festival apart from mass-tourism events, targeting responsible travelers seeking serenity over spectacle.
Logistics for Travelers
Prospective attendees are advised to prepare for Dong’s remote location. The nearest major transit hubs are in Assam, such as Dibrugarh airport, with the final leg of the journey involving road travel through the mountainous terrain of Arunachal Pradesh. Due to limited local infrastructure, the festival is positioning itself as an experience for those willing to venture off the beaten path.
As the world prepares to ring in 2026, Dong offers a symbolic alternative: a new beginning marked not by a clock striking twelve, but by the first light touching the peaks of India.
