Tucked away in the thickets of green on the southern tip of Northeast India, Mizoram, the “Land of Blue Mountains”, is a nature lover’s paradise. Sandwiched between Bangladesh and Myanmar, this fifth smallest state in India is big on adventure with rugged terrains and gurgling rivers. It also boasts a rich historical and cultural heritage. That’s not all, visit Mizoram, and be ready to be surprised by the locals’ style quotient, apart from everything else.
Tourist Attractions
Aizawl
Lying at a height of 1132 m above sea level, Aizawl is a quaint city and the capital of the state of Mizoram in northeast India. Primarily dominated by the Mizo Tribe, Aizawl and its surrounding areas are lush with rolling hills and abundant greenery. The city, along with the majority of the state is known for its agricultural produce and ethnic handicrafts and apparel. Aizawl is well connected via roads and air connectivity to other major hubs of northeast India such as Silchar and Guwahati in Assam. An important thing to note is that an Inner Line Pass or ILP is required for entry into Mizoram which is available on Guwahati, Silchar, Shillong, New Delhi and Kolkata.
Among one of the oldest cities in the north eastern region of India, Aizawl, pronounced eye-zole, is a perfect place to relax while enjoying the local food and culture. Home to the Mizoram State Museum and few other tourist complexes, tourists have few options to enjoy a sightseeing tour in the city. Apart from these, one can take a tour to the nearby hilly areas of Hmuifang, Tamdil Lake and Chanmari.
Serchhip
Most famous for being the district with the highest literacy rate in India, Serchhip in Mizoram is a place that can provide you a unique and vibrant experience.
This small town can give one the experience of a small village, the life, activities and colors that it sustains in the everyday. Some of the popular villages one can visit are the Neihloh and Buangpuri. The nature too plays a role in tourism with spots such as the Vantawng Khawhltha water fall. Other places here include the Chhingpui Thlan and Hriantrengna lung.
Lunglei
Literally meaning ‘the bridge of rock’, Lunglei is famous for its scenic beauty and natural setting. It is a small town, located around 170 km south of Aizawl whose name is derived from a bridge shaped rock found along Nghasih which is a tributary of the river Tlawng. Lunglei is an ideal offbeat destination for those who love natural sightseeing and adventure activities bundled into one. Trekking, bird watching and camping are among the popular activities opted by tourists coming to visit Lunglei.
Lunglei is a biodiverse region, home to Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary and Saza Wildlife Sanctuary. While Saza Wildlife Sanctuary is famous for hosting migratory and endemic bird species, Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary is home to several animal species such as leopards, tigers, porcupines and leaf monkeys among many. Visiting the Lunglei Rock Bridge at the Nghasih stream is another popular activity while here. For those looking to learn about the culture and traditions of the region, the Saikuti Hall is a must-visit.
Mamit
The Mamit district is the fourth largest district of the state of Mizoram. The town of Mamit, the administrative headquarters of the district, is located around 95 kms from Aizawl to the west. Known for its exquisite scenic locales and magnificence, don’t miss out to add this place in your itinerary in Mizoram. The Dampa Tiger Reserve, among the famous natural protected regions of India, is a popular tourist attraction here. Adventure enthusiasts will also love visiting the longest cave network of Mizoram in Pukzing. Oranges are a major produce from this district, earning it the nickname, the ‘Orange Garden of Mizoram’.
The town of Mamit and the district is primarily an agricultural hub of the state of Mizoram. Culturally, this region is quite vibrant, with several festivals being celebrated with pomp and vigour throughout the year. While the traditional festivals of Christmas and New Year are at the forefront of the yearly festivities, the more ethnic festivals of Chapchar Kut and Mim Kut, in celebration of the yearly agricultural harvests are also very significant here.
Saiha
Saiha is known as the fastest growing town in Mizoram, as the population has significantly risen in the last decade. Saiha is a census town in the Saiha district in Mizoram located at an average height of 729 meters above sea level. This town is considered to be a haven for angling enthusiasts.
Revealing the mystery behind the name of the town, the name of the town was originally Siaha where ‘Sia’ stands for elephant and ‘ha’ meaning tooth – An elephant tooth. But the Mizos traditionally call it Saiha.
Kolasib
Among the newer districts and the smallest of the eleven in Mizoram, Kolasib lies in northern Mizoram sharing a border with the Cachar district of Assam. It lies at a distance of 79 Kms north of Aizawl. Like most other districts of Mizoram, Kolasib is bountiful in culture and natural beauty. Tlawng river is the best attraction of Kolasib with its beautiful river banks and adjoining forests serving as a countryside getaway. Leisurely boating can be done by requesting some locals who would be willing to ferry around tourists. Apart from sightseeing, experiencing the local food and learning about handicrafts is another activity which travellers can partake in.
Reiek
At a height of 1465 meters, Reiek Tlang or simply Reiek is one of the highest hills of Mizoram. Located at a distance of 29 km away from the city of Aizawl, Reiek Tlang is an excellent viewpoint overlooking panoramic views of Aizawl and the surrounding valley with the backdrop of sceneries borrowed from the Mizo Hills. The journey to the peak is also an excellent trekking opportunity usually reserved for calm sunny days. As is the case with most North Eastern destination of India, the peak of Reiek is also relatively unexplored and sits pretty as a pearl in the hills.