The state of Mizoram is one of the highest tourist attracted destinations in India and is often known as the“Cultural Heritage of Northeast India”. The state is one of the Seven Sister States and shares its boundaries with the states of Tripura, Manipur, Assam, and countries including Burma and Bangladesh. Mizoram has a mild climate throughout the year that is comfortable in summers and non-freezing in winters, thus making this state a perfect holiday destination. Taking a look at Mizoram, the state is full of deep valleys, rolling hills, beautiful lakes, and mighty rivers. Almost a majority of the population in this state today includes several ethnic tribes and are often referred to as Mizos. These tribes are either culturally or linguistically linked with each other and preserve the cultural heritage of northeast India. The music, life, culture, dance, and festivals celebrated by these tribes have always been major tourist attractions of this state. Let us now take a look at some of the major cities and tourist destinations in the state of Mizoram.
Major Cities in Mizoram
Aizawl: The city of Aizawl is the capital of Mizoram, and one of the major tourists attracted destinations in this state. Situated in the heart of the state, Aizawl has a perfect elevation that gives it a sub-tropical climate, making it a perfect holiday destination. Some of the major tourist destinations in this city include the Bara Bazar (is a main shopping center in Aizawl and offers best traditional clothes, imported products from China, and local handicrafts), Mizoram State Museum (situated in the center of city, it offers a great insight of Mizo history, culture, and traditions), Reiek Tourist Resort (this resort is a beautiful place at an elevation of 1500 meters and offers traditional Mizo village residence for tourists), Durtlang Hills (the hills form a mini hill station and offer a great view of Aizawl town), Hmuifang (is a hillock that preserves virgin forests since the Mizo chief’s time), Berawtlang Tourist Complex (is a recreational center and hosts several cultural activities for tourists visiting this place), Baktawng Village (well known for the largest family in the world that comprises of 39 wives, 94 children, 14 daughter-in-laws, and 33 grandchildren), Solomon Temple (a grand temple complex), and the Khuangchera Puk (a worth visiting cave).
Champhai: The city of Champhai is the district headquarter of Champhai district and is situated on the Indo-Myanmar border. The city is thus considered as the main corridor for trade between India and Myanmar. The climate of this city is moderate throughout the year, making it a place worth visiting. Some of the major tourist attractions in this town include Murlen National Park (a well known national park with rich flora and fauna and a home for around 150 species of birds, 15 species of mammals, 35 species of medicinal plants, four species of orchids, and two species of bamboos); Mura Puk (a major tourist attraction that has six ancient caves which used to be the hiding place for local villagers); Rih dil (is a holy spot considered to be the way for souls to the eternal abode); Thasiama Seno Neihna (a worth visiting plateau on a rugged hillock); Mizo Hlakungpui Mual (is a monument that was erected to commemorate Mizo poets and is situated on the southern edge of Khawbung village); Hnahlan (a picturesque landscapes of the grape growing area along with several vineyards); and Lianchhiari Tlang (known for a rocky ledge over a high cliff).
Thenzawl: Thenzawl is an important town in the Serchhip district of Mizoram and is famously known for the traditional Mizo handloom industry. Prior to getting inhabited, the city of Thenzawl was covered with dense forest and was a home for several wild animals. Today, the city is a major tourist attraction in Mizoram and is well known for some of the must-visit destinations including Vantawng Falls (a must-visit destination and well known as the 13th highest waterfall in India), Tualvungi Thlan (known for the two graves of Zawlpala, chief of Phulpui village and his wife Talvungi of Thenzawl), Chawngchilhi Puk (a cave that is famous for several stories depicting a love story between a lady and a snake), Tuirihiau (upstream of Vantawng fall forms a beautiful waterfall near Thenzawl), and the Thwnzawl Deer Park (a natural park inhabiting eleven female and six male deer).
Lunglei: The town of Lunglei lies in the south-central part of Mizoram and is one of the major tourist attractions of this state. The name Lunglei literary means “Bridge of Rock” and is named after the bridge formed out of rocks on the Nghasih tributary of river Tlawng. Lunglei is covered with dense forests and holds three major wildlife sanctuaries. Some of the major tourist attractions in Lunglei include the Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary (spread across 35 sq.km., it is located at an altitude of 1300 meters and is home of wild boars, barking deer, sambar deer, gibbons, serows, hoolocks, and leopards), Thorangtlang Wildlife Sanctuary (is a corridor for elephants migrating from Bangladesh and a home for tigers, leopards, Leaf monkeys, sambar, hoolock gibbons, barking deer, jungle cat, porcupine, and several species of birds), Saza Wildlife Sanctuary (covers an area of 15 sq. km and houses several animals including rhesus, deer, tigers, leopards, and various variety of birds), Thuamluaia Mual (second football stadium with artificial turf), and many others.
Must-Visit Destinations in Mizoram
Pawangpui: This is the highest peak in Mizoram with an elevation of 2165 meters. It is often referred as the “Blue Mountain of Mizoram” and is famous for orchids and rhododendrons. Also, the hill is full of spectacular flowers and offers a great panoramic view of the nearby areas. The other major attraction of this peak is the semi-circular cliff known as the Thlazuang Khamm, which is known for its sharp and deep fall. The alluring vegetation on this hillock is the home for several varieties of butterflies that keep you enchanted all the time. Pawangpui is the best and must-visit destination in Mizoram and one should not fail to visit this place on their trip to this state.
Sibuta Lung: This is a memorial stone erected and depicts a horror story of jilted love and lust for revenge. According to stories, Sibuta Lung was an orphan who was raised by the Palian chief around three hundred years ago. Sibuta later killed his adoptive father and became the chief of over two thousand houses. Sibuta loved a girl, but was jilted by her, which then created a fire of revenge within him. The girl was then put alive on the pit below the erected stone memorial. Various stories also narrate that this stone was bathed with the blood of three human beings who were sacrificed. Sibuta Lung is definitely a worth visiting place in the state of Mizoram.
Dampa Tiger Reserve: The Dampa Tiger Reserve is one of the oldest and largest tiger reserves in the state of Mizoram. This tiger reserve covers an approximate area of about 550 sq. km and is covered with tropical forests which is rich with discrete flora and fauna. This reserve is a perfect destination for wildlife lovers and has awesome never-ending valleys, jungle streams, steep precipitous hills, natural salts licks, and ripping rivulets. This reserve is also a major bird sanctuary and houses around 150 species of birds. Apart from tigers, the Dampa Tiger Reserve is home to fifteen species of mammals, thirty-five species of medicinal plants, and four species of orchids.
To visit the state of Mizoram, one requires to obtain the Inner Line Permit. This permit can be obtained from the Liaison Officers from cities of Kolkata, Shillong, Guwahati, Silchar, and New Delhi.
