Mizoram
Hilly, green north-eastern state of steep ridges, bamboo forest and Mizo culture, with Aizawl as its ridge-top capital.
A slow, scenic destination for travellers who like hills, villages and local culture; plan for winding roads and an Inner Line Permit.
Highlights: Aizawl ridge views and Bara Bazar · Reiek peak · Vantawng Falls near Thenzawl · Champhai valley and Rih Dil viewpoint area · Tam Dil lake · Phawngpui (Blue Mountain) National Park · Chapchar Kut festival in March
When to go
Green best · blue good · red avoid · this month outlinedDestinations
Towns, valleys and cities worth the trip, with how they rate this month.
Aizawl
Ridge-top capital of Mizoram with stacked houses, churches and wide valley views.
Lunglei
Second town of Mizoram and the gateway to the south.
Champhai
Border town on a wide rice valley near Myanmar, known for its views and heritage sites.
Reiek
Forested hill near Aizawl with a short hike to a viewpoint and a model Mizo heritage village.
Vantawng Falls
One of the highest waterfalls in Mizoram, dropping in two tiers into a forested valley near Thenzawl.
Tam Dil
Natural lake in forest near Saitual, popular for picnics and boating.
Phawngpui
Highest peak of Mizoram (about 2,157 m) and a national park in the far south-east.
Top sights
Mizo Hlakungpui Mual
Monument at the southern end of Khawbung village honouring Mizo classical composers.
Vantawng Falls
Mizoram's highest waterfall, about 230 m, on the Vanva river 5 km south of Thenzawl, seen from a viewing tower.
Solomon's Temple
Very large non-denominational church on the western edge of Aizawl, modelled on the biblical Temple of Solomon.
Reiek Heritage Village and Tourist Resort
Model Mizo village of traditional huts below Reiek peak, run by the state Tourism Department, with wide views over the hills.
Hmuifang Mountain
Forested 1,619 m mountain about 50 km south of Aizawl with a tourist resort, forest trails and the Thalfavang Kut festival.
Martyrs Memorial, Luangmual
Memorial on Luangmual hill to Mizo fighters who died in the 1966-1986 struggle, with three spires and about 1,563 graves.
Khuangchera Puk
162 m cave near Ailawng, about 5 km from Reiek, named after the Mizo warrior Khuangchera; said to be the longest in Mizoram.
Salvation Army Temple
White Indo-Gothic church of the Salvation Army in Aizawl, known for its hourly chimes.
Nature and outdoors
Phawngpui National Park
Park around Phawngpui (Blue Mountain), 2,157 m, the highest point of Mizoram, near Sangau; visits allowed November to April only.
Dampa Tiger Reserve
Mizoram's largest protected forest (about 500 sq km) in the far west, with forest walks, camping and rich birdlife.
Tawi Wildlife Sanctuary
Small sanctuary (35.75 sq km, 400-1,300 m) about 101 km from Aizawl with hoolock gibbon, serow and pheasants.
Khawnglung Wildlife Sanctuary
35.75 sq km sanctuary near Lunglei on the cliffs of Khawnglung mountain, once a fortified village.
Ngengpui Wildlife Sanctuary
110 sq km sanctuary (1991) in south-west Mizoram near Lawngtlai, with gaur, clouded leopard, hornbills and a few elephants.
Murlen National Park
National park (declared 1991) near the Myanmar border, about 245 km east of Aizawl, with dense sub-montane forest.
Aizawl Zoological Park
State zoo about 14 km from central Aizawl, open daily except Monday.
Tam Dil
Reservoir lake about 6 km from Saitual and 85-110 km from Aizawl, with boating and a Tourism Department resort.
Things to do
Where to eat
Curry Pot
Restaurant in Upper Khatla serving Indian and Chinese food at reasonable prices, with a branch at Lengpui Airport.
David's Kitchen
Popular Chanmari restaurant with decent food and good service.
Pemarin Corner
Higher-end restaurant on the first floor of Millennium Centre.
Chopstyx Restaurant
Tibetan restaurant in Lower Chanmari, described by Wikivoyage as the only one in town.
Hotel Millennium restaurant
Hotel restaurant on Zarkawt Main Street, possibly with limited hours and menu.
Zote Bakery cafe, Dawrpui
Bakery cafe near the Dawrpui church serving milky tea and coffee.
Zote Bakery cafe, Electric Veng
Bakery cafe in Electric Veng serving milky tea and coffee.
Riak Maw Inn dining
Small Zarkawt inn that serves Mizo meals, near the Silchar Sumo offices.
Shopping
Food to try
- Mizo food is mildly spiced and often boiled or smoked: bai (a vegetable and bamboo-shoot stew), sawhchiar (rice cooked with meat), smoked pork, and chutneys with local chillies. Rice is the staple.
Festivals
- Chapchar Kut (spring festival, usually in March, with Cheraw bamboo dance), Mim Kut (after the maize harvest, around August-September), Pawl Kut (after the rice harvest, around December) and Christmas, the biggest celebration.