Backpacking Northern India 7/45: Visiting the Tai Phake People, Assam, India

Backpacking Northern India 7/45: Visiting the Tai Phake People, Assam, India

When talking about Northern India, many might think of famous cities like Darjeeling or popular tourist destinations in Sikkim. But this time, mr.hotsia intentionally set out to explore another corner of Northern India that few talk about: the "Land of the Tai Phake People" in Assam, a region rich with indigenous lifestyles and cultures that remain well preserved.

This journey began from a familiar place to many, the city of Bengaluru.A thriving technology cityI chose to fly to Bagdogra Airport, near Siliguri, the gateway to Northern India. From there, I took a local jeep to travel into the Tai Phake area in Assam. The journey on winding roads through mountains and dense forests required skilled driving and a lot of patience from me as a passenger.

Upon arriving at a small Tai Phake village, the first thing I felt was a peaceful and simple atmosphere. The lifestyle here remains closely connected to nature and ancient traditions. I had the chance to talk with warmly welcoming locals. Although English is not their main language, smiles and kindness made communication smooth. I noticed most people still wear colorful traditional clothing with unique patterns.

The food here was another impressive highlight. The Tai Phake people favor sticky rice cooked with leaves and local spices. There are fresh river fish dishes caught from nearby rivers, as well as homegrown local vegetables with excellent flavors. I tried "sticky rice mixed with river fish" prepared with authentic Assamese spices. The taste was mild and not too spicy, different from the Northern Indian food I had tried before.

For nearby tourist spots, I recommend visitingNamchiwhich is not far from Assam. Namchi is a small town famous for religious sites like the Samdruptse Statue or Buddha Park, which mr.hotsia has visited. It is a 36-meter tall monument of Guru Padmasambhava located atop Tendong Hill, offering beautiful mountain views, especially on clear days.

Namchi also has the peaceful Ngadok Monastery, filled with historical paintings of the Sikkimese and Namchi people from the past. It is an ideal spot for those wanting to experience tranquility and learn more about Northern Indian culture.

If you enjoy Northern Indian flavors, I recommend trying chicken biryani in Bengaluru before you leave, as there are restaurants serving both South and North Indian dishes that are delicious and rich in flavor. You can see this in the videoEating Indian Fried Chicken and Authentic Chicken Biryani in Bengaluruthat I recorded for you to watch.

Through this journey, mr.hotsia learned that meeting locals in less touristy areas allows us to see authentic lifestyles and understand culture more deeply than just taking photos or visiting beautiful places. Talking and cooking with the Tai Phake people made me feel that Northern India still holds countless stories waiting to be discovered.

If you love adventure and want to go off the beaten path, I recommend following mr.hotsia to visit the Tai Phake people in Assam. You will realize that traveling in Northern India is not just about big cities but also small corners full of charm waiting for you to experience firsthand.

For those interested in watching the video and details of this trip, you can viewBackpacking Northern India 7/45: Visiting the Tai Phake People, Assam, IndiaGuaranteed to be full of real sights and sounds from the field by me, mr.hotsia.