Mixed Bag

In and around Aizawl

The Capital city of Aizawl has a wide array of interesting spots that caters to a wide range of tourism interests. A few prominent amongst them are –
  • The Museum at Macdonald's Hill.
  • The mini Zoological Garden, Bethlehem Vengthlang.
  • Durtlangs Hills .
  • K.V.I Handloom & Handicraft Sales Emporium, Zarkawt.
  • Zonunsang Handloom Show Room, Zarkawt.
  • MAHCO Show Room, Treasury Square.
  • Bung Picnic Spot, 15kms away.
Wildlife

Mizoram is a rich treasure trove of exquisite flora and fauna, concentrated especially in the Dampa Sanctuary, founded in 1976, at the north-western tip of the Mizo hills. The Sanctuary is inhabited by swamp deer, tiger, leopard, elephant and hoolock gibbon. The best time to visit is November to March.

Excursions from Aizawl
Bung (15 kms) and Paikhai (16 kms), adjacent to each other, are the perfect place for a day at leisure to bask in the beauty of nature.  

Tamdil - 85 kms from Aizawl, near Saituai village, is the wonderful lake of Tamdil,  which has fine boating facilities is another good spot for a day trip.

Vantawng Falls - 137 kms from Aizawl and 5 kms from the town of Thenzawl, are the largest and most magnificent falls in Mizoram, the Vantawng Falls. The waterfall is 750 feet high and is surrounded by a lush forest teeming with bamboo groves.

Champhai - 204 kms from Aizawl, at the other end of Mizoram, is Champhai, the sub-divisional headquarters, which affords a fantastic view of the Myanmar hills.

Lunglei - For the nature-lover, Lunglei, a District Headquarters town of south Mizoram, 235 kms from Aizawl, is the perfect site.

Phawngpui - Known as the 'Blue Mountain', Phawngpui is the highest peak in Mizoram.For a mesmerizing view of the blue hazed hills, and vales unfolding below a trip to this destination is a must for every nature lover.

Eco/Adventure

With its lush green forests, picturesque hills and dales laced with rivers and streams Mizoram makes an ideal destination for adventure lovers. Some of the places of interest can be -

Champai : 192 km from the Aizawl (the capital of Mizoram), Champai lie close to the Myanmar border. Though this is a busy commercial town of Mizoram, but natural beauty is still intact, and its famous ancient relics is also premier tourist's attraction.

Dampa : This is a popular wildlife sanctuary (133 km) of the state lying at the junction of Mizoram, Tripura and Bangladesh. Wildlife enthusiasts have finer opportunity to spot wild inhabitants of the sanctuary like tigers, elephants, bison, bears, and many hundreds of avian species.

Phawngpui : This preserved area with its many of rare exotic plants and medicinal herbs are open only for trekkers. Called as Blue Mountain, Phawngpui (300 km from Aizawl) must be on top of the card of tourist willing to peep into wider amazement of trekking and natural beauty.

Quick Ones

For travelers on a tight schedule a few good options are mentioned below –
Mizoram State Museum
Mizoram State Museum is located in the centre of the town. This small and interesting museum gives a good insight into Mizo traditions, culture and history. The variety of objects are exhibited here which are not usually found elsewhere.

Bora Bazar
Bora Bazar is the main shopping centre on the other side of the ridge. The steep Zion St is lined with stalls selling garments and music cassettes. The main bazar is where the people are best seen in their traditional costumes selling produce from the farms and homesteads including river crab in little wicker baskets.

Weaving Centre
In the Weaving Centre one can watch women at their looms weaving traditional shawls which are available for sale.

Luangmual Handicrafts Centre
Luangmual Handicrafts Centre is about 7 kms. away. The Khumbou ceremonial bamboo hat is made here using waterproof material with H'manthial leaves..