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North-East : Mizoram

Mizoram

Mizoram lies in the southernmost outpost of North Eastern India, the land of the Blue Mountains. Manipur, Assam and Tripura bind the northern end of this little island of tranquility with neighbouring countries Myanmar and Bangladesh nestling most of the state between them.

Evergreen ranges of Mizoram hills with blooms of exotic flora and dense bamboo jungles rise sharply from the plains of Assam in a north south direction. These hills and plunging gorges are criss-crossed by gushing rivers and sparkling waterfalls. Highest among its several peaks is the Phawngpui The Blue Mountain.

Districts

Mizoram is divided into 8 districts:

  • Aizawl
  • Lunglei
  • Kolasib
  • Mamit
  • Serchhip
  • Saiha
  • Champhai
  • Lawngtlai

Cities

Aizawl,Lunglei,Kolasib & Saiha

Other destinations

Understand

Mizoram is a kaleidoscopic 'pleasure trove' for the discerning visitor with its wide array of festivals and dances, handicrafts, flora and fauna, breathtaking natural beauty and temperate climate. The Mizos are friendly and very hospitable. English is one of the Commonly spoken languages. The joyful enthusiasm and gregarious spirit of the local populace has been vastly responsible for establishing some of the most attractive tourism features in this beautiful state.

Today, Mizoram is a dazzling mix of this cross-cultural vibrancy with 87 percent literacy (second highest in India- a fact in which every Mizo takes genuine pride), gender equality and a vigorous pursuit of its ancient cultural traditions and social mores.

History

History often varies from legends. But the story of the Mizos getting out into open from the neither world through a rock opening is now part of the Mizo fable. Chhinlung however, is taken by some, as the Chinese city of Sinlung or Chinlingsang situated close to the Sino-Burmese border. The Mizos have songs and stories about the glory of the ancient Chhinlung civilization handed down from one generation to another.

It is hard to tell how far the story is true. It is nevertheless possible that the Mizos came from Sinlung or Chinlungsan located on the banks of the river Yalung in China.

Talk

The Main language in Mizoram is Mizo although English is widely understood as it is taught in the Schools.

Get in

Tourists require a special permit for visits.

By Plane

Mizoram has only one airport, Lengpui Airport, near Aizawl and this Airport can be reached from Kolkata by Air within a short period of 1 hour. The road from the airport to the city takes around another 1 hour, and the taxi rate will cost Rs 500 to reach the city.

By Road

Mizoram is connected through National Highway 54 from Silchar, Assam

By Train

Mizoram is connected through it's rail head in Bairabi in Kolasib District.

Get around

You can get around depending upon your budget

Taxi

The White and Yellow Maruti Taxi's mainly ply the cities and towns.

Bus

Mizoram has a State Transport Corporation which connects the whole of Mizoram. The Cities and towns are also serviced by Mini bus.

See

  • Aizawl

This 112 - years old citadel-like city, with its timber houses and profusion of flowers is set on a ridge at approximately an altitude of 4000 ft above sea level. With a population of approximately 2 lakhs, it's cloudless blue skies, dewy mornings and sunlit days carry a promise of unforgettable holiday pleasures practically all year round. Even the monsoon months are pleasant and gentle.

  • Tamdil

Pick a picnic basket and head out for Tamdil (Tam Lake). This natural lake is reputed for its fish and prawns and is an 85 km drive from Aizawl. The drive gives you an excellent opportunity to see some of the prettiest areas of Mizoram. Go for boat rides, relax by the tranquil waters and if you can bestir yourself, take a drive into the nearby jungles, which are home to an assortment of fascinating flora and fauna. You can also stay here overnight. The resort village of Saituai is just 10 km away.

  • Vantawang

Surrounded by a vast stretch of thick bamboo forests close to Thenzawl hill station is Mizoram's highest waterfall Vantawang (750 ft). Located 152 km from Aizawl, this popular water body is worth a visit. If you can't get enough of it you can stay overnight for it's equipped with a cafeteria and cottage for hire.

  • Champhai

Drive along the fertile plains of Champhai, about 200 km from Aizawl to enjoy the stunning vista of emerald rice fields bordered by the smoky hills of Myanmar. This bustling commercial hub on the Indo-Myanmar borderline also attracts nature lovers by the droves.

  • Phawngpui

One of the finest encounter with Mizoram's splendid vistas is Phawngpui , its highest peak, which is extremely popular with trekkers and adventure enthusiasts. The Blue Mountain, as it is often referred to, is 300 km from Aizawl and close to the Myanmar border. Fragrant herbs and rare species of orchids and rhododendrons are found here.

  • Saiha

Saiha is an angler's paradise on the Chhimtuipui, Mizoram's biggest river, 378 km from Aizawl. Overnight stay can be arranged at the tourist lodge at Saiha. Phawngpui (Blue Mountain) is 30 km away.

  • Lunglei

Situated in South Mizoram, this district headquarter town is a popular hill station offering fascinating vignettes of Mizoram's legendary natural beauty.

Itineraries

Do

If you're an early bird, get up early in the morning and see the lakes of cloud all around the cities and towns as most of them are built on the mountain tops.

Eat

The Mizo people love boiled food and Non Vegeterian food. If you're there you should try the boiled vegetables called 'Bai' or Try out the local bread made from grounded rice called 'Chhang ban'.

Drink

Mizoram is a dry state.

Stay safe

Mizoram is one of the safest State in Northeast India in terms of crime and personal safety. Most people, including single female travellers, will not face any problems walking along the streets alone at night.

Get out

Mizoram is sandwiched between Bangladesh and Myanmar, so it could be possible for you to visit the border towns for foreign goods from both countries.

This page was last edited at 07:55, on 26 September 2008 by Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. Based on work by Gobbler and Ravikiran Rao, Wikitravel user(s) Morph and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel.