Urgelling Monastery sits in a village about 6 km south of Tawang town, perched above the Tawang Chu valley. It is one of the oldest monasteries in the region — predating Tawang Monastery itself — and is closely associated with the birth of the sixth Dalai Lama. The monastery is small, quiet, and much less visited than its famous neighbour, which makes it a more contemplative place to spend an hour.
The main hall contains old thangkas and carved wooden pillars. A local monk will usually open the hall for visitors and explain the connection to the sixth Dalai Lama. The village below the monastery has a few simple tea stalls and gives a sense of ordinary life in this high-altitude community. It is easily combined with a visit to Tawang Monastery in a half-day loop.