Listed 40 times as Top Travel Blog Of India!

champhai tourist spot

Places to see in Champhai: Complete Guide

Last Updated on September 8, 2023 by asoulwindow

Table of Contents

About Places to see in Champhai

During my visit, I was surprised to discover that Champhai is a big, bustling commercial city located at the India Myanmar border . Apart from the umpteen tourist attractions, the natural beauty of Champhai has few parallels. However, not many tourists know that Champhai is not all about beauty. Being a storehouse of historical monuments, ancient relics, ruins, memorials of legends and folklore, Champhai offers more than what I had expected. The Taui River which flows nearby and the gorgeous views of the rolling Letha Mountain ranges only add to the beauty of Champhai.

I visited Champhai on a memorable road trip from Aizawl. Champhai is already a popular weekend escape from Aizawl for both local people as well as tourists. Champhai has interesting places to visit and is one of the most popular destinations in all of Mizoram. Thanks to the massive production of rice and special variety of grapes, Champhai also carries the sobriquet of the “fruit and rice bowl of Mizoram”.

And did anyone tell you that Champhai is also the place from where the first Mizo migrants arrived and settled in the present India? You will find many such interesting trivia in this complete Champhai travel guide.

There are many unusual places to visit in Champhai. This detailed travel guide on Champhai is the biggest one written yet. I wanted to give all information regarding tourism in Champhai, therefore I wrote this exhaustive blog. This indeed is the most comprehensive travel guide on Champhai in Mizoram. Here is all you wanted to know about Champhai. Plan your holiday in Champhai using this detailed travel blog.

My Experience of visiting Champhai

In the 10 days in the eastern part of Mizoram, I travelled from Aizawl to Champhai in the initial days. I was surprised to discover that Champhai is just as big a town as Aizawl. What’s more? I even did an offbeat vineyard tour in Champhai. Yes, you read that right! Having travelled across Mizoram, I also feel that Champhai is one of the cleanest cities in Mizoram.

It was my first time in Mizoram which also happened to be the second last states in India I had visited along-with the adjacent Bengali majority Tripura . What I found most striking about Mizoram is its sheer greenery. Despite traveling solo across India since the year 2008, I had never seen such dense greenery ever.

Also, now that I have travelled deeply in all the states of the unexplored North East India, I can vouch for the fact that Mizoram feels very different. Not only are the landscapes here very unusual but the culture, dance, music, history, food, costumes, language, sounds and even the smell of this tiny state is very different from other states of North East India.

I explored Champhai with Mapui Khawlhring , a local tour operator from Mizoram, YouTuber Priyanka Chandola from Desi Girl Traveller and Sange Tsering . The fun company of Tluanga P B from Saitual kept us regaled. He drove us on all days throughout East Mizoram.

Why is Champhai famous?

What is Champhai known for? Champhai is well known as the ‘Rice Bowl of Mizoram’ because it is home to undulating rice terraces in every direction you see. The visually stunning Champhai district is also known for its

  • Green hills,
  • Good weather,
  • Pretty villages,
  • Lost civilisations,
  • Abundant wildlife,
  • Plethora of orchids,
  • Tall ancient monoliths,
  • Innumerable waterfalls,
  • Historical monuments ,
  • Rice farming and paddy fields,
  • The picture postcard perfect surroundings ,
  • The lesser-known Champhai winery and vineyards

This is why Champhai is one of the most popular tourist destinations of Mizoram. Since Champhai is an easy and quick weekend break from Aizawl, it is widely popular with tourists and locals alike.

Soul Window Thoughts

I have backpacked extensively across India since 2008. After years of deep exploration in India , I have come to a conclusion that India has equally stunning locations as other places such as Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and even Australia and Uganda for that matter, it’s just that we don’t market it as well. This is why I decided to write this blog, so that people become aware of the hidden natural beauty of Mizoram.

Local Economy of Champhai

What is the livelihood of Champhai District? Champhai is mostly an agriculture-based economy. Mapui told me that more than half of the population of Mizoram is engaged in agriculture and agriculture related activities. Agriculture and its allied sectors not only drive the economy of Champhai but also defines is socio-cultural-political fabric. Rice and Bangalore Blue grapes are the two major crops of Champhai.

Border trade is also quite rampant here because Myanmar is nearby. I visited the border town of Zokhawthar while I was on my way to the scenic Rih Dil Lake. I noticed how clothes, electronics, silverware are constantly imported from Myanmar in this part of India.

Where is Champhai located?

Champhai district of Mizoram is situated in the Eastern and Northern eastern part of the small state of Mizoram. While Manipur is located towards north of Champhai, the small nation of Myanmar is located towards the South and East of Champhai. Aizwal, Kolasib and Serchip District of Mizoram are located west of Champhai.

Champhai is located in close proximity with Myanmar which means it has robust business and trade relations with the neighboring country. In fact, the people living in Zokhawthar village and the Rih Dil lake straddling on the Indo Myanmar Border , have strong ties with the people of Mizoram, both commercially as well as culturally.

What is the geographical area of Champhai?

The total geographical area Champhai region is a whooping of 3,185.8 square kilometres or 1,230 square miles. I have observed that the size of Mizoram is actually similar to the area of several countries in Europe .

India is such a huge nation (we hardly acknowledge it), that at times, I feel like crossing borders of states here is akin to crossing international borders . I felt this even more as I crossed the bridge borders between Kanhmun Village near Mamit in Mizoram and the picturesque Damcherra village near Dharmanagar and Unnakoti in Tripura .

Places to see in Champhai

Champhai is one of the most beautiful cities in Mizoram. This information packed blog includes the famous and lesser-known tourist places to see in the Champhai region of Mizoram. I have shared deep insights on Champhai in this elaborate travelogue based on my own experience of traveling in Champhai.

Having explored Mizoram in North East India deeply for 10 days, I have come to a conclusion that each and every village of the Champhai region merits a visit.  However, I have made a list of the top places to see in and around Mizoram below. This complete Champhai travel guide is all that you will ever need.

Rice terraces of Champhai

The gorgeous terraced rice fields of Champhai are a major point of attraction here. During my Champhai trip, the breathtaking views of lush green rice terraces reminded me of the rice terraces of Indonesia and some South East Asian nations. The rice terraces I saw in Champhai and the Rih Dil lake in Myanmar was just as stunning as the ones I saw in Bhutan , South East Asia or closer home, Almora and Champawat, both in Uttarakhand.

The Champhai winery is located in a picturesque place. It is not just the wine that makes Champhai Winery a must-visit destination. Their vineyards are located on the slopes of the Champhai hills, providing a stunning backdrop for a day of wine tasting.

There is no entry fee to see the terraced rice fields of Champhai. You can easily take a free walking tour around the gorgeous rice fields of Champhai.

Paddy & Fish Cultivation of Champhai

This is the one of the most productive and efficient agricultural systems in India which the people of Champhai have adopted since times immemorial. Similar to sustainable farming practices of Arunachal Pradesh, which finds itself in the tentative list of UNESCO world heritage , the unique agricultural techniques practiced by Mizos needs to be celebrated as well.

Soul Window Observations

I noticed that not only are the rice fields of Champhai visually similar to the rice fields of the picturesque Ziro Village of Arunachal Pradesh but they also follow same methods of unique paddy-cum-fish cultivation farming. I was surprised to discover the same practices here. It is a pity that unlike Ziro, little is written about the progressive agricultural community of Mizoram.

My co traveller Sange Tsering from Arunachal Pradesh told me, “This is very similar to the Apatani Paddy & Fish Cultivation. In this integrated farming method, a combination of paddy and fish farming is used together. Use of fertilizers and insecticides is strictly prohibited in these rice fields because it will kill the fish. For irrigation purpose, the farmers heavily rely on the rainwater and canals which are interwoven with the streams. The fish poop serves as an excellent fertilizer for the paddy. The nutrients dense fish excrement is ideal for plant growth. Also, it saved lot of money which could have been wasted on fertilizers.

Such applaudable focus on nature-friendly and sustainable farming methods are rare to come across. There is indeed a lot which people can learn from the Sustainable agro-aquaculture farming of Mizoram and Arunachal Pradesh , both located in the North East part of India .

Champhai Winery: Top place to see

The first winery and vineyard in Mizoram was started in Hnahlan , followed by Champhai Winery. The local grapes which grew here in abundance are not meant for table. It’s more suitable for wine making. This is why, the local farmers started making wine out of these grapes at home. Gradually, the farmers joined hands and came up with full-fledged winery in the year 2007. Today as much as 70 to 240 quintals of grapes are harvested in a day. Fruits start to appear in the month of May and harvesting happens in the month of July and August.

So, I got lucky to see the vineyards laden with tons of grapes. I also talked to the manager Mr Maduha Lalduhawma regarding the wine making process. For some reason, the variety grown here is known as Bangalore grapes. The best part is that it provides a livelihood to the locals as they engage in the wine making here. I had heard of the famous Champhai region of Mizoram but I had no idea that there are wineries and vineyards in Mizoram or even in North East India. Who would have thought?

Champhai Winery is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Champhai. The Champhai Winery is a hidden gem which very few people know about. When I visited the winery of Champhai, I saw around 9 boys and 8 girls working there. During high season, I was told that as many as 50 people work in the winery. “On a good day, as much as 70 to 200 quintals of grapes are harvested in a day. 240 quintal is the highest they have harvested in a day.” Mr. Maduha Lalduhawma , the factory manager told me. He’s working in the winery since the year 2012.

He introduced me to Ms. Puitei Lalrempuitei who has been working in the winery since a long time. Ms. Zothanmawii, is the oldest worker in the winery. She loves her work which explains why she has been working in the winery since the year 2010. “She is single and plans to remains so.”, I was told.

I also interacted with Mr.  Chungahmar , the general manager of the Champhai winery on the second visit on the next day. Mr. Chungahmar told me, “The variety of grapes we grow here is known as Bangalore Blue Grapes . This particular variety is not for table. It is not meant for eating.” Curious I tasted one. It was very sour. Seeing me flinch and make faces, he laughed and quipped, “The deep blue ones are sweet.”

Champhai Winery is particularly known for their red wines, which are made using traditional winemaking techniques and locally grown grapes. And let me tell you, these reds are so rich and full-bodied, they’ll make you feel like you’re sipping on liquid gold. Plus, they age like a fine wine (pun intended), so you can enjoy them for years to come. The red port wine here is not to be missed. Not many know, but I feel Champhai Winery is the best place to see in Champhai. These are the only state-run wineries in Mizoram. The brand of the wine produced here is known as Champwine.

  • Ideal Duration: 1 Hour
  • Open on days: Monday to Saturday. It is closed in Sunday, much like most of Mizoram.
  • Timings of Champhai Winery: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Address of Champhai Winery: Khuangphah Road, Mizoram
  • Phone of Champhai Winery: +91 98625 70419

Visit Champhai Vineyards

I am sure you didn’t know that the vineyard tour is one of the top free things to do in Champhai. It is the most unusual things to do in Champhai. The fruiting season for grapes is May and the harvest of grapes is done in July and August when I visited. This is why I saw abundant grapes on the vines.

Mr. H. S. Vanlalfakzuala, the caretaker told me,

“In the initial days, the grapes grew here in abundance but it was not suitable for eating. At the beginning, the farmers used to sell these in markets and they would still end up with tons of unconsumed grapes. They didn’t know what to do with so much grapes, so they started to make wine out of it in their homes for personal consumption. Gradually, the farmers came together, formed a union and opened the winery. Champhai Grape Growers Society runs the show now.”

I took a tour of the vineyard. What made it so unique and different from the other vineyards I have visited is the fact that once you enter the vineyard, it is thickly covered with the canopy of the vines. Also, it is on a slope unlike the ones I saw on plains earlier in Maharashtra . But honestly, I had no idea that Mizoram, let alone North East India has a flourishing winery and vineyard.

Mr. Vanlalfakzuala added, “Earlier it was a land inundated with eucalyptus trees. The trees were gradually cut off and the land was cleared to make vineyards on a slope. Now the grapes are grown in abundance here and they sell the harvested grapes in bulk to the Champhai Grape Growers Society. The saplings are planted in May and June and takes 3 years to mature.”

When visiting Champhai, you must go a tour of the vineyards and learn about the winemaking process . If you’re looking for a wine adventure that’s a cut above the rest, Champhai Winery is the place to be. Champhai vineyard is located slightly away (10 minutes of drive) from the Champhai Winery.

Trek to Thasiama Seno Neihna

Did you know about this unique plateau located on a steep rugged hillock around the Champhai region? Protruding out precariously, this major attraction of Mizoram is very popular with adventure enthusiasts like me. Not easily negotiable by man, it is still worth it! People like me who love going off the beaten track, enjoy visiting unheard of sightseeing places like Thasiama Seno Neihna.

Thasiama Seno Neihna is situated inthe lesser known Vaphai village. It is approximately 86 kilometres away from Champhai and 230.4 Kilometres from Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram. Climbing up the rugged terrain of Thasiama Seno Neihnais an exciting and thrilling experience for those who seek thrill and adventure . If you are an adventure lover , you will love spending time here. However, not only exploring Thasiama Seno Neihna is a thrilling experience , but its surroundings are also a treat to the eyes .

A visit to Thasiama Seno Neihna is a breathtaking experience because once you reach the top after a gruelling trek up the hill, you will be rewarded with great panoramic views on all sides. Though this trek is difficult for many, it helps that they have long flight of steps here. This makes navigation a bit easier.

For your personal safety, I still highly recommend that you hire a local guide, preferably a Mizo who knows the terrain well. From Champhai, you can book a tourist cab to reach Thasiama Seno Neihna near Champhai Mizoram. The best is still do take a packaged tour across Mizoram from Mapui who knows the area and culture very well.

There is a stone at this beautiful tourist spot which says that Thasiama Seno Neihna was inaugurated by Rooney Lalrinawma Ralte , project director, DRDA, Champhai on 15.6.2003. As is the case with most of the major natural wonders of Mizoram, there is a legend associated with Thasiama Seno Neihna as well. As per the folklore or legend a local Mizo told me,

“This is where Thasiama`s Mithun gave birth to a calf.  Mithun, a bovine is a local species of Gaur . The terrain of this place is such that it is practically impossible to climb this hill by a Mithun even today. As per the local folklore, a local man Thasiama fell in love with a gorgeous fairy called as Chawngtinleri . The fairy gave him a boon that his Mithun will multiply in numbers and add to his prosperity. It is said that the fairy used to guide the Mithun to climb up this hill and deliver her babies safely. The fairy also used to protect the Mithun from the tigers which once roamed the area freely.”

During my visit to Arunachal Pradesh , also in North East India , I saw many mithuns along the main roads and roads around the forest . My local guide had told me then that Mithun, a species of Indian Bison is an inseparable part of the socio-cultural fabric of Arunachal Pradesh . Though, I didn’t see as many mithuns (except few) in Mizoram, I learned that they are equally important to the Mizo society despite all the progress.

History of Champhai: How the Mizos entered the present-day Mizoram?

What is the history of Champhai? I was surprised to learn about the rich history of Champhai during my tour here. Just as I entered the historical complex of Vangchchia, Mapui, a Mizo herself, told me a surprising fact. Not many know that this is where the history of Mizos can be traced back to. A plaque at the entrance read:

“From the Burma plains, they waded across the Run River at the shallow point near what is now Mualbem village; thence they followed the road named ‘Pipute Lamlian’ by INTACH Mizoram chapter and thence here at the Great Gateway within reach of the salt pits by the Tiau River, they entered the present-day Mizoram.”

This means that the centuries ago, the ancestors of present Mizos marched from the terai region of the then Burma (Myanmar) and crossed the Run River (pronounced R-U-N and not as Ran) in the valley of the Mualbem village. They then temporarily settled near the small salt pits of the Tiau River. They then crossed over to the present-day Mizoram through the great gateway or Kawtchhuah Ropui. The literal meaning of Kawtchhuah Ropui is the great entranceway. This makes Vangchhia Village one of the most important places to visit in not only Champhai but all of Mizoram. I am sure you didn’t know these amazing facts about Champhai.

A local Mizo person told me,

“We Mizos (Zo tribes) migrated from the Yunan Province of present-day China . Our ancestors stayed in Myammar Kalay-Kabaw region for around 300 to 400 years. Later in the early 18 th century C.E., we migrated further down to the then Lushai Hills (now in Mizoram, India). At present, we are divided and scattered in Myanmar , India as well as Bangladesh . Inside India, we live mainly in Mizoram, Manipur, Tripura, Assam and Meghalaya.”

With so much history attached to this place, I was glad to see that it is a well-maintained site. A beautiful gate depicting Mizo people performing their traditional dance in their ethnic dresses caught my attention. The top of the entry gate shows a traditional Mizo shield, spears and horns. Another painting on the wall of the entry gate shows a family marching, perhaps from Burma to the present-day Mizoram. In bold letters, it is written on the entry gate,

Thlangtlak Gate

Vangchhia Mizoram”

In fact, while I was admiring the menhirs of the heritage site of Vangchhia Village, Mapui diverted my attention towards a path. “ This is where the first Mizos arrived from ”, She said, matter of factly. These are some lesser-known facts which many Mizos are unaware of too. Visit to Vangchhia was surely the highlight of my Champhai tour. Such historical monuments of Mizoram merit a visit for sure. So, what is there to see in Vangchhia Village? Below is a detailed account of my visit to the historical Vangchhia Village. Let’s delve deep into the mystery of the Vangchhia Village.

The lost civilization of Vangchhia Village

Which lost civilization is in the Champhai District of Mizoram? Secrets of Vangchhia Village are many.My visit to the lost city of Vangchhia was definitely the highlight of the Champhai tour. Said to be the largest necropolis site in the world, it is one of the top places to see in the Champhai District. Located in the Champhai-Farkawn mountain range of Mizoram, this historical destination in Champhai is a must-visit place.

As I entered the Kawtchhuah Ropui or the Great Entrance way, I was amazed with the tall ancient carved stones of varying sizes, shapes and heights. During my visit to the historical site of Vangchhia village, I was impressed to see as many as 171 such ancient monoliths spread across the complex. During my visit, I studied each of the Vangchhia menhirs in great details. I noticed several details such as human figures, hunting scenes, shapes of deer, warriors, spears and even Mithun . Some Vangchhia menhirs also depict events such as success in war, personal grieves and achievements.

Several ancient graves have also been found here. Some other prominent archaeological finds from Vangchchia include structure water pavilions , stone blocks, ancient iron artefacts and old pots, both broken and whole.

This natural heritage site is full of such surprises at every step. Uncountable archaeological relics such as rock-cut caves, menhirs, megalithic burial structures, retaining walls and even water pavilions have been unearthed from the thick forests of the archaeological site of Vangchhia which is spread across a whooping 40 kilometres. Vangchhia archaeology is still underway and I am excited to see what is discovered here next.

The cave shelter of Vangchchia heritage site

As I climbed from the main complex up the small hill to the ‘cave’, an employee of Archaeological Survey of India or ASI from Assam told me, “The 171 menhir stones discovered in the Vangchhia village became the first ever protected archaeological site of Mizoram in 2012. Excavation began here in the year 2015. The sheer scale of this archaeological site unearthed here speaks volumes of the rich past of this part of Mizoram.

Even today, new discoveries are being made and new ancient stone menhirs are being excavated from the surrounding regions. These caves that you see here were their shelters from where they used to keep an eye on the enemies attacking from the villages below. The main reason for conflict in those days was scarce water resources. Perched atop a grassy knoll, the ‘cave’ served as a good vantage point to keep an eye on the activities below in the valley.”

The ASI officer was supervising the restoration of the ‘cave shelter’ shared some interesting insights on the restoration process with me. He continued, “This mixture you see here has been kept like this since a month for it to work properly. We use lime, molasses, galnet, cow dung, straw, methi pani , jute, white and black kaththa in the restoration process of these cave-like bunkers.” Apart from the cow dung paste plastered on the shelters, I also noticed a small drain behind the shelter which helps to protect the heritage site from the rainwater.

Though the ASI discovered the site only recently, the local people of the Vangchhia village were always away of its presence and had preserved the menhirs since times immemorial. The Vangchhia menhirs, artefacts, stone objects and rocks which were unearthed from here throw light on the lifestyle and culture of the early settlers of the region in Champhai district. It is the best place to visit in Vangchhia, Champhai.

Located on the Indo-Myanmar border, the cultural exchanges between both sides of the present international border has been going on since times immemorial. Seeing my curiosity, the ASI official told me, “You see those houses on the other side of the valley. That is Myanmar.” I watched agape mouthed and realised that the borders of Burma or Myanmar remained a constant companion throughout my 10 days long epic road trip across East Mizoram. In fact, I was told that much of the archaeological site here lies in Mizoram, some in the eastern part of Myanmar and some even in the parts of the neighbouring Bangladesh .

Located near the Khawbung Village, it is easy to arrive here, if you have a cab. I noticed that few shared cabs also run between Vangchhia and Champhai. Though for comfort, especially when travelling in a group, I highly recommend that you buy a packaged tour .

While returning, we stopped at a local place for an authentic local vegetarian Mizo lunch which comprised of daal, rice, Hmarcha rawt ( marcha) , veggies, red-chilly chutney, sauteed cabbage, boiled mustard leaves etc. It was delicious to say the least!

The distance from Aizawl to Vangchhia is approximately 250 kilometres. The unexplored heritage site of Kawtchhuah Ropuithe in Vangchhia village of Mizoram in the Champhai region deserves all the love and attention. This 2,400-year-old historical city of the dead in the North-east Indian state of Mizoram near Champhai is a must-see place. We arrived at Vangchhia Village after a 3 hours long drive from Champhai.

Ancient Water pavilions for water conservation

Well designed and structured water pavilions located near the is one of the best places to see here. These ancient water pavilions designed for water conservation here reflects on the native intelligence of the people who lived here thousands of years ago. The water pavilion discovered here comprise of several square and circular holes. These holes were used to trap the rainwater which was eventually stored in the fissures and veins of the rocks.

Isn’t that a genius idea? Especially for those times! Since there are not many water resources in this area, this method was invested to harvest the rain water. In modern world, they say water may become the sole reason for wars amidst countries. In such scenario, we have a lot to learn from the ancient Mizos who turned rocks into hidden reservoirs with their native knowledge .

At times, a visit to such places makes me wonder if we were more intelligent as a species earlier than we are now? The 200 meters long water pavilion that has been excavated from this historical site speaks volumes about the engineering prowess which the local people of this lost civilization had in those times. This is a lesser-known place in Champhai, so make sure you make a visit here.

The excavations done in Vangchhia village can be classified into two eras viz. 600 C.E. to 1400 C.E. and circa 1400 C.E. to 1750 C.E. The very unusual water pavilions excavated at Kawtchhuah Ropuithe belong to the first period. However, on the other hand, the ruins of menhirs, ancient burial sites and the potsherds date back to the second era. Potsherds dating back to 600 BCE (before common era) have also been found here. C14 (radio-carbon) helps the scientists determine the age of the findings.

The water pavilions are the most unusual places to visit in Champhai. In fact, it is the best kept secret of Champhai. New discoveries are still being made here. The historians, archaeologists and researchers are still working in establishing a scientific chronology of the ancient culture of Mizoram which very few people know about anyways. There is a small entry fee here. There is also a toilet and swimming pool on a small hillock, right outside the main entrance.

Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary, Champhai

Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary is a lesser-known protected area in the nearby Saitual district in the eastern part of Mizoram in northeast India . Did you know that the offbeat Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary is also home to the 2 nd highest peak in Mizoram. Located in the north of Murlen National Park , the Lamzawl village and Ngopa town are also nearby. In fact, not many know that the Selam village is located within the premises of Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary. Located away from the crowds, this wildlife paradise is a must-see place in Champhai.

Some of the mammals found in Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary are as below:

  • Barking deer
  • Sambar deer
  • Hoolock gibbon
  • Rhesus macaque
  • Northern pig-tailed macaque (An IUCN-classified vulnerable species of primate)

Some of the rare birds found in Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary are as below:

  • Blyth’s tragopan
  • Dark-rumped swift
  • White-naped yuhina
  • Rufous-bellied eagle
  • Oriental pied hornbill
  • Mrs. Hume’s pheasant
  • Grey peacock pheasant

Declared a protected area in the year 1999, and a national wildlife sanctuary by the Indian Ministry of Environment and Forests on 31 May 2001, it is one of the most biodiverse regions around Champhai. Needless to say, this wildlife sanctuary is also rich in plant life . Countless evergreen and semi-evergreen trees carpet the landscape of this alpine forest. It is located just a few miles away from the famed Indo-Myanmar border of Champhai.

Dungtlang Village in Champhai District

Located in the Khawbung Block near the Indo-Myanmar border, a walk around the picturesque Dungtlang Village is therapeutic. Situated near the headquarters of the Champhai District of Mizoram State, it is a must-see place. I am mentioning every big and small tourist places in this complete guide to Champhai so that you know what to expect when holidaying here.

This medium sized Mizo village is teaming with tourist attractions such as ancient ruins and breathtaking viewpoints like Lianchhiari Lunglen Tlang. Some of the villages near Dungtlang are as below:

  • Khawbung (6 kilometres)
  • Leithum (6 kilometres)
  • Zawlsei (6 kilometres)
  • Vanzau (6 kilometres)
  • Sazep (8 kilometres)

Lianchhiari Lunglen Tlang in Dungtlang Village

This rocky ledge over a high cliff was definitely the most photogenic places I saw in the Champhai region of East Mizoram. This enigmatic natural wonder of Mizoram in the Dungtlang town is a must-visit place.

As soon as we arrived here, Mapui narrated the legend behind this scenic place,

“Once upon a time, a beautiful women named Lianchhiari in this region fell in love with Chawngfianga . Unfortunately, Chawngfianga had migrated to a far away village . The sad and love-smitten Lianchhiari, who was also the daughter of Vanhnuaithanga , the great chief of Dungtlang area, used to sit here for hours and look in the direction of the village where her lover had disappeared. Since Chawngfianga was an ordinary man and a common citizen, the chief Vanhnuaithanga didn’t approve of him.

Despite the disapproval of the Chief and local people gossiping about the lovelorn couple, the love continued to blossom between Lianchhiari and Chawngfianga. Finally, things moved in the direction the lovers had desired. As per the Mizo culture , the family of Chawngfianga initiated meeting with the family of Lianchhiari to negotiate and start the ritual formalities for a legal marriage between the two.

However, there is another man in the story who was favoured by the chief. He was appointed to take care of the negotiations etc. But he increasingly got jealous of Chawngfianga, as a result of which the wedding plans were insidiously thwarted. Insulted and embarrassed, Chawngfianga and his family left Dungtlang Village and quietly relocated to the nearby Chhingzawl village, towards the east of Dungtlang.

Needless to say, the unpredictable turn of events broke the heart of Lianchhiari. She lost her smile, refused to eat, slipped into depression and composed woeful songs of love all day. She used to walk up to the precarious ledge which is still risky to sit at and spend hours here. She would sit at the ledge, with tears in her eyes and stare blankly at the village where her lover had migrated. For days on end, she would come and sit here daily, gazing endlessly down on Chhingzawl, the home of her lover.”

While we fooled around this picturesque place, more popular as a scenic picnic spot for both locals and tourists, deep down I could feel the pain of Lianchhiari and Chawngfianga. The pain of separation is indeed the hardest pain, whether Ram Sita , Heer Ranjha or Romeo Juliet. Lianchhiari Lunglen Tlang is named after her. Tlang stands for mountain in the Mizo language. This famous viewpoint in Champhai is a must-visit place in Mizoram.

Be safe : Since it can be as dangerous as pretty, you must be very cautious while loitering around here. There are no railings here. One mistake and you will be united with the Chawngfianga down in the valley. Be very careful while sitting at the bench located here. It is situated right next to a sheer drop of several feet. Also, while climbing the rocks for likes and views on social media, you should be equally careful.

The distance between Lianchhiari Lunglen Tlang in Dungtlang Village and Champhai is 60 kilometres and it takes around 2 hours via Khawbung road . Starting from Champhai in the early morning, we had visited Vangchhia first followed by a visit to the Lianchhiari Lunglen Tlang. We returned to Champhai on the same day. Entry at Lianchhiari Lunglen Tlang is free. It is open 24 hours, though avoid going here after sunset. Despite its immense beauty , Lianchhiari Lunglen Tlang is a lesser-visited place in Champhai.

Writers’ graveyard near Lianchhiari Lunglen Tlang

A few minutes of downhill drive away from the picturesque Lianchhiari Lunglen Tlang, Mapui took us to a special place. It was a writers’ graveyard. The notable writers and even politicians from the Champhai region and other places in Mizoram were buried here with due respect. The white and black graveyard is perched atop a hill with almost similar views I saw in Lianchhiari Lunglen Tlang.

What I found striking about this graveyard is the fact that it is located in a very lonely place and each headstone epitaph has the actual picture of the deceased along-with name and dates during which he lived. I mostly saw the graves of males here. There is no entry fee here. It is a free thing to do in Champhai.

I have seen many graveyards including the Dutch cemetery in Fort Kochi in Kerala . The random visit to the writers’ graveyard near Lianchhiari Lunglen Tlang in the Christian majority Mizoram reminded me of my visit to the solemn Waverly cemetery during the Bondi to Coogee walk in Sydney in the southern part of Australia .

Ruins of stone city in Dungtlang old village

Located near the popular Lianchhiari Lunglen Tlang, the stone city in Dungtlang old village is the best kept secret of Mizoram. During my epic road trip across Mizoram, I realised that Mizoram is home to several unexplored heritage sites which no one even talks about. This is why I decided to write in great details on the lost civilisations of Mizoram. Thanks to the discoveries made here in the recent years (and continuing), it helps us tracing back the rich history of the present Mizo community that now inhabit Mizoram. I saw several stone remains from the past. I had goosebumps as I imagined that once a bustling city existed here. These are some little-known facts which even many Mizo people are not aware of.

So impressed I was that I and Mapui discussed in detail the huge potential of ecotourism in the Champhai region. The gorgeous views and pleasant climatic conditions are just an added bonus. I am sure, you didn’t know about such places which are off the touristy trail .

Mura Puk Cave 

Also known as Mura Cave, the mysterious Mura Puk is located at the outskirts of the lesser explored Zote village near Champhai in East Mizoram. Mura Puk is one of the most famous monuments of Mizoram. Not much is clear about the origin of this tourist destination in Champhai. Upon deep study of this place, the historians and archaeologists have concluded that originally there were 7 such caves here. Now only 6 of such caves survive.

In earlier times, these caves also had huge door like cover which were made up of stone. These manmade caves carved out of solid rock. The history of these caves is unclear. In the year 1899, when the Chief Laitea ruled over this area and supervised settlement of the Zote Village, these enigmatic caves already existed.

Much like other natural wonders of Mizoram, Mura Puk also has an interesting legend behind it. In the Mizo language, Puk means cave and Mura stands of a (seemingly) mythical gigantic eagle . It is said that the local people used to take shelter from this eagle in this cave. The monstrous eagle was not an ordinary bird. It is said that the skin around the lower beak of Mura was big enough for a man’s cap. To add to its ferocity, the size of one of its talons was similar to the size of the horn of a female Mithun .

People used to fear the presence of Mura who would sit atop the roofs of the houses and wait for its prey. So huge this eagle was that it would cover both sides of the house with its wings. Threatened, when people used to run out of their houses, the cruel man-eater eagle would attack them. The feral predator that Mura was, it was hard to escape its wrath. The lucky ones used to save themselves by taking refuge inside these caves when Mura attacked.

Mura cave is one of the best offbeat places to explore near Champhai. You can also see carving on the walls of the caves here. Thanks to the beautiful panoramic views of Champhai city which it offers and the mystery associated with this place, this tourist destination is popular with both tourists as well as locals. Mura Puk is located around 192 kilometres away from Aizawl and has an elevation of approximately 1678 meters or 5505 feet.

Check this video by Priyanka Chandola on Aizawl to Champhai route

Lamsial Puk Cave 

Lamsial Puk is one of the must-visit caves in the Champhai region. Lamsial Puk cave is located on the edge of a cliff in Lamsial in the Farkawn village in the Champhai district of East Mizoram. The history of Lamsial Puk is very interesting. Here is the story behind Lamsial Puk. Centuries ago, a fight ensued between two adjacent tribal villages over territorial expansion. Hundreds of men lost their lives in this deadly war. Needless to say, it was the most fatal war which was fought in the region.

Tourists can still see the skeletons of the valiant men at Lamsial Puk. These are the skeletons of the brave warriors, who belonged to the Lamsial territory or a village that is presently extinct. Human bones including skulls, femurs and ribs have been found here. Along with the large mound of skeletons preserved in Lamsial Puk Cave, you can also see other remnants and the artillery used in the war. It is indeed a poignant moment to witness the historical evidences of this gruesome war even today. The skeletons of courageous warriors who gave away their lives so that they could protect their territory is a grim reminder of the futility of war. Sadly, even today, people are losing their lives over disagreement upon land issues. There is no entry fee here.

Being one of the top five monuments of Mizoram, Lamsial Puk is a must visit sightseeing attraction. Lamsial Puk is surely one of the most unusual places to see in Champhai. Other such places to visit in Champhai include major attractions such as Tialpari Puk, Kungawrhi Puk, Far Puk and Tluangtea Puk.

Fiara Tui Spring in Champhai region

Other gem to visit near Champhai district is Fiara Tui Spring. This beautiful spring, which originated from the Tan Tlang Mountain is a must-see place in Champhai. Not only is Fiara Tui Spring a major tourist attraction but it also finds its mention in the Mizo folklores and writings which doesn’t get tired singing paeans on the purity and sweetness of its water . The local people firmly believe that the water of the Fiara Tui spring possesses magical beautifying properties.

There is a legend associated with Fiara Tui Spring as well. Years ago, Fiara, an orphan boy lived in the now extinct Lamsial village. So shy he was that he would wait for the night or early dawn to fetch water from the common village spring. Since no one was around in dawn and night, he preferred this time of the day to fetch the water. It was he who discovered a small spring here. Since the water that trickled from here was clear, cool and sweet in taste, the news spread fast in the entire village. This is how Fiara Tui Spring rose to fame.

Fiara Tui Spring is located approximately 65 kilometres away from the town of Champhai. You can reach Fiara Tui Spring by hopping onto a regular bus running from the Aizawl city to the Farkawn village. This journey takes around 3 hours. The Farkawn village is located very close to the Fiara Tui Spring. Fiara Tui Spring is one of the top offbeat places to visit in the Champhai region.

Waterfalls of Champhai: Best places to visit in Champhai

Since it was rainy season when I visited, I saw several waterfalls , big and small while driving towards and around the Champhai region. So blessed is the Champhai region with abundant natural beauty that every spot is a postcard. Most of these waterfalls are picnic spots for local people who enjoy the bounty of nature as much as the tourists. I discovered many such hidden gems during my 10 days long memorable road trip across Mizoram.

Forests of Champhai

The dense green forest of Champhai region merit a separate exploration. Rich in faunal biodiversity , Champhai is a paradise for botanists. Throughout my 10 days long journey across not just Champhai but entire East Mizoram, closely knit green forests remained my constant companion. I have travelled in all the states of India and I have never seen such greenery as I saw in the Champhai region on this 10 days long trip.

Did you know that Mizoram, is one of the greenest states of north east India. I was astonished to learn that a whopping 90 % of the land area of Mizoram is covered with woods and dense foliage. This makes Mizoram the unanimous winner of greenest state of India.

As we drove across Champhai, Aizawl based Mapui quipped, while staring out of the window, “I love the greenery of Champhai region. It is just so dense and limitless.” I couldn’t agree more. But if a local Mizo says that, I stop taking it for granted. She is right. I have travelled across the Indian states of Meghalaya , Nagaland , Arunachal Pradesh , Maharashtra , Karnataka etc but never have I seen such dense greenery .

Rih Dil Lake in Myanmar near Zokhawthar village

I had assumed that Rih Dill lake lies inside Mizoram. Turned out it was both right and wrong. While geographically, Rih Dil lake lies inside the boundary of Myanmar, philosophically and spiritually, Rih Dil is as important to the people of Mizoram as it is to the people of Myanmar. Located just 2-3 kilometres away from the pretty Zokhawthar village on the India side, Rih Dil is a must-visit place.

As an Indian traveller, I was happily surprised to experience entry inside the international boundary of Myanmar without a Visa or Passport. No one even checked my Aadhar Card. I simply walked inside Myanmar without anyone stopping me. I was also able to exchange currency from some local ladies of Myanmar standing at the entrance of this exciting Indo Myanmar border crossing .

After visiting the local market with my eyes peeled and enjoying a hot lunch of delicious vegetarian fried rice with shake, I hopped onto a bike who took us to the picturesque Rih Dil lake within 5-10 minutes. It was slightly raining when I arrived here. The uphill drive rewarded me with gorgeous views of monasteries, terraced rice fields, local homes and school etc.

Soul Window Travel Tip on Rih Dil

After spending some time at the pristine lake , my bike driver offered to take me to a secret vantage point from where I saw the ‘heart shape’ of the Rih Dil Lake. I was overjoyed to see this spectacle. Sange Tsering and Priyanka Chandola were equally delighted to be here. Mapui had already been here, so she explored the bustling market of Myanmar near the border .

No wonder, we spent a lot of time at both, the mysterious lake and this secret vantage point. The picture postcard perfect terraced rice fields , reminiscent of my visits to South East Asia , Bhutan , Khonoma and Indonesia added cherry on the cake!

Visit Murlen village near Champhai

Murlen village is off the touristy trail. You may want to visit this village if you want to see offbeat places of Mizoram. A walk along the quaint village will deeply acquaint you with the Mizo lifestyle and culture . Murlen village is located approximately 24 kilometers towards north from District headquarters Champhai. Murlen is located around 68 kilometres away from the state capital Aizawl. Cities around Murlen are Champhai, Aizawl, Lunglei and Kakching. Villages located close to Murlen are

  • Vapar (9 kilometres)
  • Pamchung (10 kilometres)
  • Rabung (10 kilometres)
  • Tualpui (10 kilometres)
  • Khualen (11 kilometres)

Murlen National Park: Top place to see in Champhai

Murlen National Park is the top place to see in Champhai, if you are a wildlife lover. Not many tourists know that several endangered species of birds and animals call Murlen National Park their home. Spread across a whooping 100 square kilometers, Murlen National Park is a must visit place in the unexplored Champhai region of Mizoram.

Home to Serrow , the endangered Himalayan Black Bear , leopards , tigers , barking deer and Sambar , Murlen National Parkis a biodiversity hotspot in Champhai Mizoram. Birds such as Hill Myna , peacocks and Peacock Pheasant are commonly seen here. This is why, Murlen National Park also attracts those who love birdwatching and bird photography .

Murlen National Park also attracts botanists and researchers, thanks to the wide variety of fauna , especially orchids, both rare and common.

Churches of Champhai

I stopped at the massive church known as Champhai Zotlang in North Kohran. This church was established in the year 2017. It is located close to the main city and the Champhai tourist lodge. It was the biggest Church I saw in the entire Champhai region. I also visited the Psebytarian Church in Zebawak.

The Church at the crossroads near traffic police in the main Champhai market near Hotel Chawngthu also deserves a mention. There is also a school and a small library here. Known as Champhai Vengthlang Church , it was established in the year 1911. It was written on the main entrance, “Hawh U. Lalpa Inah I Kal Ang U”

Mizoram is Christian majority state which explains why I saw so many Churches at every turn, most of which were closed when I visited. I admired the external architectural designs instead.

A Church I saw while returning from Vangchchia to Champhai deserves a special mention. Not only did this Church have beautiful architecture but the picturesque setting enhanced its beauty.

We also saw people dressed in black and white coming out of a colossal Church in Saitual known as Salvation Army Saitual Corp after a Sunday mass. I met a gentle and well-spoken Mizo man called as Peter who told me, “I come here every Sunday and play the music.” I also stopped at the Presbyterian Church of India in Seling, Kohran as we drove to Champhai from Aizawl.

Some of the main churches in and around Champhai are as below

  • Church Of God
  • New Champhai
  • Zomi Baptist Church
  • Kelkang Presbyterian Church
  • Champhai Venglai Presbyterian Church
  • Champhai Kahrawt Presbyterian Church
  • Champhai Vengthlang Presbyterian Church
  • Champhai Ramthar Presbyterian Church
  • Bethel Presbyterian Church. Near Myanmar Border Road Vengthlang

Rivers of Champhai

What are the rivers in the Champhai District? The two major rivers that I came across while travelling between Aizawl and Champhai are the Tuirini Tuirial and Tuivawl rivers. Tuivawl River is where we stopped for some time to soak in the view and take toilet breaks. The Tiau River , also known as the Tio river is 159 kilometres or 99 miles long river located in the Champhai region. Not many people are aware of the fact that this serpentine river forms part of the international boundary between India and Myanmar .

Not many know that you can even do adventure sports and white water rafting in the lesser known Tuivawl river. Who would have thought? We stopped at several viewpoints which gave us breathtaking views of the rivers of Mizoram. I am sure you didn’t know about these hidden gems near Champhai. Also, did you know that the biggest river of Mizoram is located in the south. It is known as Chhimtuipui or Kolodyne River.

Main Markets of Champhai

The main market here is the top place to visit in Champhai for the people who love to shop. The bustling bazars and main market place of Champhai is a shopper’s paradise. If you bargain hard, you can strike a good deal for several electronics, shoes, flip flops, jackets, household items, clothes, toys, bags and cosmetics at a reasonable price.

Go trekking in Champhai

There are several trek routes around Champhai where you can hike for a day or two. However, I highly recommend that you hire a local Mizo guide before embarking upon any trek. I always advise against trekking solo in unfamiliar terrains. Apart from trekking on the Thasiama Seno Neihna trail, you can also trek on various other routes. Champhai serves as a good base for trekking especially during spring.

Camping in Champhai

One of the best things you can do in Champhai is camping. The natural beauty and terraced rice fields make Champhai a picturesque place to do camping. You may be able to pitch a tent in the meadows or request the hotel owner to a pitch a tent in their lawns and use the washroom. There are many such exciting things to do in Champhai Mizoram in North East India.

Top things to do in Champhai

What is there to do in Champhai? There are countless exciting things to do in and around Champhai. Some of the best things to do in Champhai region are

  • Birdwatching
  • Wine tasting
  • Vineyard tour
  • Church hopping
  • White water rafting
  • Sampling local food
  • Visiting rice terraces
  • Wildlife photography
  • Visiting Indo Burma Border at Rih Dil

Many of the above listed activities are the top things to do with family and kids in Champhai.

Exciting Excursions from Champhai

We passed through many pretty villages while traveling in and around Champhai. For example, we passed through Dilkawn village at around 6 p.m. while returning to Champhai from Dungtlang. We also stopped at the picturesque Mawia Point while we were driving from Aizawl to Champhai. There are many such exciting places to see in and around the verdant Champhai region of East Mizoram.

Some of the top places to see near Champhai in Mizoram are:

Phawngpui Blue Mountain National Park: Hidden Gem of Mizoram

Phawngpui National Park makes for a good excursion from Champhai or Aizawl. Located in the Lai Autonomous District Council, Phawngpui National Park is a must visit place in South Mizoram.

Phawngpui National Park which is also known as the Phawngpui Blue Mountain National Park is one of the two major national parks of Mizoram. The other national park of Mizoram is Murlen national park which is also larger than the former. It is also christened as the blue mountain of Mizoram. Did you know that with an altitude of 2157 metres or 7076 feet, it is also the highest mountain peak in all of Mizoram? Bamboos, rhododendrons and orchids are found in abundance in Phawngpui Blue Mountain National Park.

Some of the mammals found in Phawngpui National Park are as below:

  • Leopard cat
  • Capped langur
  • Mountain goat
  • Asiatic black bear
  • Stump-tailed macaque
  • Clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)

Some of the birds found in Phawngpui Blue Mountain National Park are as below:

  • Black eagle
  • Purple cochoa
  • Blyth’s tragopan
  • Large-billed crow
  • Striped laughingthrush
  • Mountain bamboo partridge

Festival of Champhai

The very popular Chapchar Kut festival in March is a must-attend festival. Chapchar Kut is a 2 days long annual festival of Mizoram which is celebrated by most of the villages across the state. Aizawl has the biggest Chapchar Kut celebration which takes place in the AR ground aka the Assam Rifle ground.

Athurium festival also takes place in Aizawl every December. You may try to coincide your trip to Champhai with the festival. Expect live performances by dance troupes and music bands, several cultural programmes and traditional shows along with other activities.

Vegan and Vegetarian Food in Champhai

I was surprised to see that the delicious bamboo chutney and Bhoot Jholokia chutney (hottest chillies in India), my staple in other North East Indian states such as Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya and Nagaland were nowhere to be found in Mizoram and Tripura.On the earlier 3 months long epic backpack trip across North East India, I would not have a meal without bamboo chutney. I wanted the same here but it was nowhere to be seen. I binged on lot of bamboo shoots in Mizoram though. In this part of India, bamboo shoots grow in abundance in monsoons which was also when I visited. This is why fresh bamboo shoots cooked in various styles were served to me during all meals (dinner and lunch) on all of my 10 days in Mizoram.

During my explorations in Champhai, I was just excited to see all the local vegetables which I never saw earlier. Do you even know the names of these vegetables? I didn’t. The taste of fresh bamboo shoots slowly grew on me as I devoured it with every meal. It’s an acquired taste for sure.

Also, unexpectedly, I also had amazing Chinese style vegan Thukpa in the Chawngthu Hotel located in the main market of Champhai in the Vengthlang area. With oodles of red spicy sauce, sesame seeds and bamboo shoots, it was undoubtedly the most delicious Thukpa I have ever had. My friends had delicious pan-fried noodles and poori bhaji (yes, you get North Indian food across Champhai).

The restaurant at Hotel Chawngthu also offers incredible views of the terraced rice fields and the Champhai town in general. Despite its good location, plush interiors and delicious food, the prices here are shockingly low. What’s more? They also have an in-house bar here and rooms are also available upstairs. We also visited an excellent bakery called as Chawngthu Mart . It is located in the same lane as Hotel Chawngthu.

Other local vegetarian dishes of Mizoram which I tried are

  • Bai (Mixed vegetables boiled with Mizo herbs and spices, eaten with dal-rice)
  • Dal-Chawal-Alu Bhujiya was commonly available everywhere. I prefer arhar daal , also known as toor daal but masoor daal is more popular in Champhai and elsewhere in Mizoram.
  • Sanpiau – A local rice porridge (delicious)
  • Gughni with poori: It is commonly available
  • Chhum Han : local vegetarian dish
  • Koat Pitha : Made with rice flour and banana
  • Bamboo Shoot Fry : I love it!
  • Hmarcha rawt – This is tangy and spicy chilli chutney. Almost every restaurant serves it for free. Made with thin onion slices, cilantro/ dhaniya , roasted red chilli powder etc. It is pronounced as marcha .
  • Bekang : Fermented soya beans
  • Chhangban leh thingpui : Mizo sticky bread and tea. I saw it at a restaurant at Seling.
  • Sawhchiar : A rice porridge. Vegetarian Sawhchiar is available at request at many restaurants.
  • Wai Wai Noodles fry is also very popular here

You can request vegetarian/vegan version of these if they have a meat-based version on the menu.  Other than these, paratha, poori , alu tamatar and North Indian style food and even some multinational restaurant chains are present in the main city of Champhai.

Soul Window facts

Seeing my curiosity, Mapui told me that some of the local herbs of Mizoram are Chingit Schezwan leaves, Pardi, Runhmui leaves, Lengser Baahkhawr etc. Berul is local Parwal like gourd available across Mizoram. Rul means snake while Be is beans. Since bigger beruls ones grow like snake, it is named so.

Beverages of Champhai

When visiting Champhai, you must have Rakzu or Zu the local alcohol of Mizoram. I bought a bottle of Zu from the local shop. I could directly drink from the bottle. I found the taste to be similar and yet so different from Apong of Arunachal Pradesh and Tongba of Sikkim and Nepal . There are many other versions of Zu available in Aizawl. I was amused to see that the tender rice grains could still be seen in the bottle. I consumed several rice grains along with the Zu while devouring it. “If the Zu remains unconsumed for longer, the rice grain dissolves and becomes the part of the liquid., Mapui told me as I sipped the white nectar. Zu is white is colour and dense in texture. Do check out this winery tour video by Priyanka Chandola.

The traditional Mizo Rice wine or beer is generally served during festivals and other such occasions. The straw like bamboo pipe is used to savour the drinks. This is why it is also known as Zu Khawn . You may contact Mapui if you want to enjoy this local drink. The decade old clay pot is used for brewing the wine. I was told that the longer it is stored, the sweeter is its taste. Sampling the local drinks is surely the best best thing to do in Champhai.

Souvenirs Shopping Guide to Champhai

What can I buy from Champhai? There is a lot you can shop for in Champhai. From local cakes (for quick consumption) to even footwear and fridge magnets, there is a lot you can buy in Champhai. In fact, I bought 2 flip flops from a shop in the main market of Champhai while my friend Priyanka purchased 3 pair of shoes from the same shop. The main market of Champhai is Awmpui Phei.

I also bought the delicious Rice cakes siam dan, also known as the Burma Rice Cake from the local shops. You can also easily buy it from the Bada Bazaar in Aizawl. I also bought the Myanmar made Dingwang snow cookies for friends back home. It tasted more like laiyya patti ( murmura jaggery laddus) of Uttar Pradesh, though in disk shape. On a casual walk, I also picked up some vegetarian Rum Pum Noodles and cooked it later in our homestay in Aizawl. It was delicious and different from other ready-made noodles.

I love collecting vegetarian food souvenirs , so I couldn’t resist buying the local roasted red chili powder and a local red chili chutney. I also bought Hapima Fried Rice Mix (original, they say). I thought it is a foreign product but I was disappointed to learn that it was manufactured in Chennai in Tamilnadu , India. It contains Ajinomoto or Monosodium Glutamate and warned pregnant women and infants against consuming it.

Some of my other food souvenirs included Isaac Noodles . The packet said that it is ‘a product of Mizoram’. Later, during my stay in Agartala, I also saw the chef of my hotel using the same Isaac Noddle to make Hakka noodles. Seems like they are quite popular in this part of North East India. I also found it amusing that they had mentioned their address and contact details in bold letters on the packet. Maybe, convince them to courier some to Bangalore or Mumbai .

Address of Isaac Noodles manufacturing unit (in case you need to dig deeper): 1/27, Kulikawn, Aizawl, Mizoram.

Mobile: 9612694365/9862786409

Email: [email protected]

Please keep in mind that the Mizos are devout Christian. This is why, all (not most but all) the stores and restaurants close their doors on Sundays and after 6 pm. Near the Champhai Vengthlang Church in main market, a signboard pointed Circuit House, Venglai and Bethel in one direction while Kanan Veng, Jail Veng and Aizawl Road in another direction.

Photography Tips for Champhai

There are several places of interest in Champhai which make for a good picture. The picturesque Champhai is a paradise for photography and nature lovers. No matter where I looked, each frame was worth capturing. Since I was traveling in monsoon, the freshly washed landscape of Champhai looked even more ethereal. Do not miss taking pictures of local people (with permission), exotic birds, animals, undulating rice terraces, local churches and historical monuments.

Hire local tourist guide in Champhai

Thanks to Mapui Khawlhring for inviting me on this very unique trip to some of the most unexplored parts of Champhai in North East India. Her passion for tourism is infectious. Mapui Khawlhring, a local tour leader based in Aizawl Mizoram made all the difference to my travel across East Mizoram in 10 days. She shared rare insights into the Mizo lifestyle, culinary history, hidden gems and customs. These small nuggets of information while I was still on the go enriched my travel experience in Champhai.

Languages spoken in Champhai

Mizo language is the most commonly spoken language of Champhai. As is the case with most North East Indian states, many people also speak good English in Champhai, especially those employed in the tourism sector. Some people also have workable knowledge of Hindi especially those who have exposure to the nearby Assam which has far more Hindi speakers . Some people also speak good Burmese, thanks to the proximity with Indo-Burma border.

Toilet facility in Champhai

Mizoram is one of the cleanest states of India. Most of the tourist attractions of Mizoram has a toilet nearby. During the 10 days long trip across East Mizoram, I never saw anyone even peeing by the roadside. I observed that there are urinals and toilets at every few steps in Mizoram, including the highways. Much like the men urinals, in many cases the women’s urinals also do not have a roof.

The walls of women’s toilets are higher though and the entry is concealed. If you are not comfortable using such toilets, you may easily find a toilet with doors at the restaurants and grocery shops across Champhai and Mizoram. I suggest that as a courtesy, do buy from the restaurants, cafes and grocery shops if you are using their toilets.

How To Book a trip to Champhai?

Places like Mizoram are not documented well (until my visit, eh!), this is why it makes a lot of sense to travel with a local Mizo than to hire a tour agent from Delhi who has no connection with the local ethos. Mizoram hardly has good tour operators. I highly recommend that you book a trip anywhere in Mizoram with Mapui Khawlhring who is a Mizo herself and has a good knowledge about anything on Mizoram.

Soul Window Recommends

No matter which questions I asked her about Mizoram, Mapui always had a satisfying answer ready. And then she would add more. To book a trip across Champhai and Mizoram, you may call Mapui Khawlhring at +91 7005407425 . Not only does she take good care of the food, stay, cab, sightseeing but can also customise your Mizoram tour as per your whims and fancies. She runs Riahrun Mizoram Tours.

Backpacking Budget Travel Tips for Champhai

To my surprise, I found it very easy to rough it out in Champhai despite its remote location. Backpacking in Champhai is easily doable because except for the private cab costs, the cost of hotels, food, shared cab etc is very low. Most of the tourist attractions I came across during local sightseeing in Champhai didn’t have an entry fee. There are many such free things to do in Champhai.

Solo Trip Tips for Champhai

It is easy to make solo trip to Champhai from Aizawl. Irrespective of whether you are a budget traveller or a luxury traveller, you can still make trips to Champhai easily. While luxury solo travellers can book an entire cabs and travel to Champhai (I know many who do that!), budget solo travellers can take shared cabs to Champhai. Mizoram tourism is slowly gaining popularity with backpackers who want to explore beyond the obvious.

Luxury travel Tips for Champhai

Compared to other parts of rural Mizoram, it is easier to find luxury hotels and restaurants in Champhai and Aizawl. However, do not expect ultra luxurious rooms. Though you can find neat luxurious rooms but they would still not match up with, say what you may get in New Delhi or even Lucknow for that matter.

Books on Champhai

You must read some books to gain deeper perspective on the tourist places in Champhai. Some of the books on Mizoram which I recommend are:

  • Mizoram. Past and Present by H.G. Joshi
  • Culture and Folklore of Mizoram by B. Lalthangliana
  • Folktales of Mizoram Dr. Lalthangliana Khiangte
  • Oh Mizoram (A collection of poems) by Dr. P.S. Sreedharan Pillai
  • Religion and Politics in Mizoram by Anup Shekhar Chakraborty
  • The Keepers of Knowledge. Writings from Mizoram. Editors: Hmingthanzuali, Mary Vanlalthanpuii

FAQ: Frequently asked questions on Champhai

Where to stay in champhai.

Accommodation in Champhai come in various range. Champhai is not a small village , but a bustling town . This is why, it is easy to find hotels of all variety in Champhai. Here is a detailed list of tourist lodge in Mizoram:

Champhai Tourist Lodge

I had stayed in the scenic Champhai Tourist Lodge maintained by the Government. There are a few churches and grocery shops at walking distance from the Government run Champhai Tourist Lodge. The reception, lobby and restaurant on the ground floor are very basic and so are the rooms. But isn’t that the charm of traveling in North East India ?

Champhai Tourist Lodge is the best budget hotel in Champhai. It is suitable for bag packers like me. The prices here are very low, whether it is the room tariff or food. You can also opt to stay in their cottages which are of course prettier and larger than the rooms. The cottages here also have balconies overlooking the dense forests.

Address : Champhai Tourist Lodge, Zion Veng, Champhai, Mizoram 796321

Hotel Chawngthu

Some of the best luxury hotels in Champhai are concentrated around the main market. If you fancy staying in the midst of all the action and quick access to low priced delicious vegetarian meals, you can consider Hotel Chawngthu . Located right in the heart of the main market of Champhai in the Vengthlang area , Hotel Chawngthu is a nicely maintained hotel and a restaurant with a view and delicious food.

What to wear in Champhai?

What to wear in Champhai in rainy season? During my visit to Champhai in July, the weather was very pleasant. The days sometimes used to get a little hot and humid but was still pleasant. The evenings and early morning in the rainy season in Champhai are always very pleasant and even breezy on days. I was able to manage in T shirts and shorts even during the peak of monsoon in Champhai. If you are visiting Champhai in rainy weather , do not forget to carry umbrellas, windcheaters and raincoats. However, it doesn’t rain too frequently in entire Mizoram. But when it rains, it is torrential.

What to wear in Champhai in winter. The winters in Champhai can get very cold. The nearby attractions such as Rih Dil lake can also get very cold. This is why, I advise that you must carry woollen clothes, down jackets and gloves etc when traveling to Champhai in winters. Summers and Spring or autumn in Champhai can be easily managed in T shirts and Jeans/Shorts etc.

What is the best Time to visit Champhai?

What is the climate in Champhai? What is the best time to visit Champhai? Which is the best month to visit Champhai?

These are some frequently asked questions on the weather of Champhai which I keep getting. Let me answer it here in detail.

Champhai in monsoon

From my own experience, I can vouch for the fact that Champhai tourist places look ethereal in the monsoon season. Champhai in rainy season is magical. The raindrops on the trees dropped on my visage poetically as I admired the rainbow formed on the Champhai skyline without blinking my eyes.

Since I visited Champhai in the 3 rd week of July, it was the peak of monsoon here. While it didn’t rain much during my visit, while returning to Aizawl, it rained cats and dogs (which I loved!). “This is crazy. Even Mumbai can’t match up with these torrential rains.”, I joked with my co-traveller Priyanka.

A visit to Mizoram during the peak of monsoonrewarded me withthe views ofseveral clouds floating lyrically up in the sky. The raw beauty of the hills of Champhai in rains is to be seen to be believed. I found the temperatures to be moderate and climate pleasant in Champhai in rainy season. It did get a bit humid in the afternoons of July when I visited but the weather of Champhai is still enjoyable in the monsoon months. And since it doesn’t rain too much in the day, so I was able to visit all places of interests in Champhai without an obstacle.

Champhai in winter

Winter is also a good time to visit Champhai. I have travelled across many states of North East India in winters for 3 months at one go and I loved it. The charm of exploring Champhai in winters makes it a good time to visit here. The temperature of Champhai is pretty low in winters, especially during the night.

Flowering season in Champhai In the month of October, every year, entire Champhai is carpeted with rows and rows of cosmos in Champhai. The cosmos flower is also known as the I love you flower . This makes October one of the best time to visit Champhai. This spectacle is not to be missed.

Champhai in rainy season monsoon Best time to visit Champhai terrace Paddy fields Mizoram in Rainy season

Soul Window Travel Tips on Champhai

By the way, here is a secret travel tip which Mapui told me. December is best month to see cherry blossom festival in Siaha. So, you can club your visit to Champhai with a visit to Siaha to see cherry blossoms. Why visit Japan ? Not many know this, but I have seen cherry blossoms in many parts of North East India , including the offbeat and lesser explored places such as Tirap and Longding regions of Arunachal Pradesh . This is why, I love to travel and explore the world ! Pleasebear in mind these tips when planning a vacation in Champhai.

What is the duration of visit in Champhai?

How many days to spend in Champhai? What can I do in 2 days in Champhai? These are some commonly asked questions. I had spent 4 days and 3 nights exploring the tourist destinations of Champhai. In this duration, without rushing, I was able to cover major tourist attractions of the Champhai region such as the main Churches, Lianchhiari Lunglen Tlang in Dungtlang village, writer’s graveyard, nearby ruins, Champhai Winery, Champhai Vineyard and most importantly the historical Vangchhia village. What’s more? We even crossed over to Myanmar, had a delicious lunch there, visited market , bought Burmese souvenirs, explored terraced rice fields, and spent quality time in the tourist magnet Rih Dil lake.

What can I do in 1 day in Champhai? I don’t suggest spending just one day in Champhai because there are so many exciting places to see and things to do in the Champhai region of East Mizoram. However, if one day in Champhai is all that you have due to unavoidable circumstances, then I suggest that you start your day with a quick visit to Champhai winery and vineyards followed by a visit to Rih Dil lake in afternoon. On the way, you can visit local churches , terraced rice fields, and even enjoy local vegetarian dishes. I would advise you to do shopping in evening so that you have more time for sightseeing.

Gems like Lianchhiari Lunglen Tlang and Vangchhia village can only be done in a day if you skip the above-mentioned sightseeing attractions. This is why, I say that you need at least 2 days and 3 nights in Champhai.

What is the local Transport for sightseeing in Champhai

It is easy to get around Champhai as local auto rickshaws, taxis and cabs are easily available. Private taxis are expensive in Mizoram when compared to other states of India. Auto rickshaws are easily available in the main market and other landmarks of Champhai for lesser prices. This will suit you if you are a budget traveller. Shared cabs to other nearby major attractions are also available from the main market of Champhai.

What currency is used in Champhai?

It is a frequently asked question because Champhai is located on the border of India and Myanmar. INR is used across Mizoram. In areas like Zokhawthar near the Rih Dil lake, Burmese currency called as Myanmar Kyat may also work in India and vice the versa.

Are there ATMs in Champhai?

Champhai is a pretty big town so some ATMs are available in the main city area. I observed that State Bank of India ATM and bank is ubiquitous across Mizoram. You may find ATMS of other banks as well. Howevere, do not expect any ATMs in far flung villages and even popular historical sites such as Vangchhia village.

Also, the chances are high that you enter an ATM in a remote village of Champhai and it refuses to function. Also, digital payment is not accepted at many shops, especially in the remote places. This is why, I advise that you must withdraw some cash from Aizawl (or your city of origin) which has many more ATMs and other facilities.

Is it safe to visit Champhai?

It is a commonly asked question. There are still so many misconceptions about traveling to North East India, mostly due to lack of awareness. I decided to change that with my blog. I laughed aloud when my friend asked me, “Is it safe to visit Mizoram and other parts of North East India?” I replied between laughs, “Yes, as safe as visiting Kanpur or Vadodara .”

So, is it safe to visit Champhai? Yes, most places in Mizoram are very safe to visit, including Champhai. The Mizos are a very peaceful community who I didn’t ever even see speaking loudly, let alone shout. Neither do honking ever happens across Mizoram. The locals also respect tourists and women who travel here from other states of India and other nations. All the major points of attractions of Champhai are reasonably busy places and thus safe.

How to reach Champhai?

How to get to Champhai? With great connectivity, whether it is via rail, road or air, Champhai can be easily reached from practically any other tourist attraction in Mizoram. It is fairly easy to arrive at Champhai. I was impressed to notice that Champhai is very well connected by road from Aizawl and other tourist places in Mizoram. The most popular mode of transportation to Champhai from Aizawl is shared cab or private taxi.

The route between the Aizawl city, the capital city of Mizoram and Champhai is well maintained. It is possible to find a public bus services and shared taxis like sumo services throughout the week. However, for comfort and hassle-free travels here, I highly recommend that you must book a private taxi or even better, an all-inclusive packaged tour. The drive from Aizawl to Champhai approximately takes around 8 hours. Champhai makes for a great weekend destination from Aizawl.

Which is the nearest airport to Champhai? The nearest airport from Champhai is located at Lengpui Airport in Aizawl district. I had arrived here from New Delhi and made the onward journey on a private cab arranged by Mapui.

The nearest railway station from Champhai is known as Bairabi Railway Station . It can be accessed via Aizawl-Seling-Champhai Road and NH6.

Road Trip to Champhai from Aizawl

Which is the nearest railway station to Champhai? Since there are no railways or airports in Champhai, the only way to reach here is through an exciting road trip from Aizawl or other tourist attraction of Mizoram. You can consider visiting Champhai from other tourist attraction of East Mizoram as most of them are located nearby.

If you love comfort, you can hire a cab or even a packaged tour which includes transport between Champhai and Aizawl or any other place of your choice. Mostly people make trips to Champhai via Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram. Since we had a private car, we were able to stop at several unnamed sightseeing places during the trip.

How to find shared cabs between Aizawl and Champhai?

The road between Aizawl and Champhai is a popular route, which is why, it is also easy to find shared cabs from Aizawl to Champhai. Shared cabs are not as comfortable as private cabs though. Also, the shared cabs run mostly at early morning, around 5-6 a.m. Their frequency is also low. If you are traveling in a group of family or friends anyways, then it makes sense to hire a package tour with private car.

The disadvantage with shared cab is that you may miss stopping at some sightseeing attractions of Champhai on the way because the drivers do not stop everywhere. You can contact Mapui (contact shared above) for hassle-free trips across Champhai and Mizoram. For a memorable vacation in Mizoram, a packaged tour is the best.

What are the distances from Champhai to other tourist attractions?

You must keep in mind these distances when planning a long road trip across Champhai and Mizoram. Below are the distances from Champhai to other major tourist attractions of Mizoram located nearby. This distance chart can help you to plan a trip as per your taste.

Distance from Vangchhia to Champhaiis 36 kilometres via Khawbung Road and it takes around 2 hours.

Distance from Khawzawl to Champhaiis 41.7 kilometres via NH6 and it takes around 1 hour 30 minutes.

Distance from Chawngtlai to Champhaiis 45.3 kilometres via Champhai – North Vanlaiphai Road and it takes around 2 hours.  

Distance from Saitual to Champhaiis 114 kilometres via NH6 and it takes around 4 hours.

Distance from Thenzawl to Champhaiis 184 kilometres via Champhai – North Vanlaiphai Road and it takes around 7 hours and 30 minutes.

Distance from Serchhip to Champhaiis 170 kilometres via Champhai – North Vanlaiphai Road and it takes around 7 hours and 15 minutes.

Distance from Lunglei to Champhaiis 255 kilometres via Champhai – North Vanlaiphai Road and NH2 it takes around 10 hours.

Distance from Aizawl to Champhaiis 180 kilometres via NH6 and it takes around 6 hours. However, it took me much longer to cover this distance between Aizawl to Champhai due to the 2-hours long traffic jams and the breaks. The traffic jam was mostly near the Aizawl city. The road ahead was clear and smooth. This is why we left very early in the morning.

Tourist Map of Champhai

Here is a touristmap which shows where exactly Champhai is located in East Mizoram. You can also see the other nearby attraction in this tourist map of Champhai. This tourist map of Mizoram also shows distances of several other places from Champhai. Please zoom to read.

3 nights and 4 days Itinerary for Champhai

This is the itinerary I followed in the Champhai region. I spent a total of 3 nights and 4 days in Champhai. You may want to spend more or less time here depending upon your priorities and budget.

Start early morning from Aizawl and reach Champhai by noon or evening. Day at leisure.

My Day 2 started with Champhai winery, followed by vineyard. Then we headed straight to Rih Dil Lake and returned back to Champhai Tourist Lodge.

Visit terraced rice fields, local churches, vineyards and Champhai winery all in one day. We arrived at the Champhai Winery at around 10 a.m. Post the visit to winery and vineyard we headed to Zokhawthar village and crossed the Indo Myanmar border by 2:30 p.m. on the same day. It was followed by a visit to the beautiful Rih Dil Lake in rains inside Myanmar sans Visa or passport.

On the day 3, we stated early morning and visited Vangchhia village, the first thing in the morning. It was followed by a visit to the Lianchhiari Lunglen Tlang, writers’ graveyard, Dungtlang village and ruins of stone city in Dungtlang old village. We also stopped at some picturesque churches along the way. Since these places are located very close to each other, we were able to visit these quickly and return back to Aizawl from Champhai on the same day. It took us lesser time to cover the distance between Aizawl and Champhai this time because there was no traffic jam.

We had delicious pan-fried noodles, thukpa and poori bhaji in Hotel Chawngthu, explored the main market, bought shoes, visited Champhai winery again (for something we wanted to know, you may skip second visit) and left for the gorgeous Tamdil Lake. En route, we made a quick stop for an ethereal sunset above Saitual. It looked magical from a distance. We had a delicious vegetarian dinner of bai, Hmarcha rawt ( marcha) , boiled squash and spicy potato curry at Saitual. We checked in at Tamdil late night.

How to reach Champhai from Aizawl?

How to get to Champhai from Aizawl? Here are the details of my road trip to Champhai from Aizawl. We started from Aizawl early morning, so that we reach Champhai as early as possible. After few minutes of our journey, we stopped at Zemabawk near Aizawl to buy some medicines and local packaged food such as the delicious rice cake. I also had a fun interaction here with the local women vegetable sellers. Next, we stopped at Seling which a milestone said is only 40 kilometers away from Aizawl. There is a big Church here apart from busy markets. The Church is known as Presbyterian Church of India in Seling, Kohran.

Next, we stopped at a charming road side Sakei Bangla . The place was run by a man, his daughters and several unemotional kittens. We had a lunch of Ghughni and poori here. Even if you don’t want to take lunch here, you must stop because Sakei Bangla has an interesting history. Home of a British officer from the colonial times once stood here behind the restaurant. We also had delicious pineapples here. In case you didn’t know, pineapples in North East India are juicier and fleshier.

Next, we stopped at the small town of Keifang . We also visited a vibrant village haat near Mizoram Rural bank in Keifang selling vegetables which I had never seen before. Do not miss this place. There are also many hotels and lodges here. Then we stopped at a road side dhaba , selling tea and bamboo shoots. It is located at a picturesque place located next to a bridge over the scenic Tuivawl River, surrounded by dense trees. A signboard nearby declared, “Welcome to Khawzawl District.” Just a little ahead, we also passed through a charming little village known as Kawlkulk . It is situated in the Khawzawl R.D. Block.

We started the journey to Champhai at around 10 a.m. from the big city Aizawl. Due to a 2 hours long traffic jam just outside of Aizawl, we arrived in Champhai at 8:30 p.m. Had the traffic jam not been there, we could have arrived by 6:30 p.m. in Champhai. Had we started at 5 or 6 a.m. from our cute Aizawl homestay, we would have arrived in Champhai even earlier. The roads between Aizawl and Champhai are mostly in excellent conditions.

Inner Line Pass or Inner Line Permit aka ILP for Mizoam

Inner Line Pass or Inner Line Permit for Mizoram is issued to non-Indigenous persons of Mizoram. In short, it is also known as ILP. As soon as I landed in the Lengpui airport in Aizawl, the Security Officer immediately called me out (may have identified me with my non mongoloid facial features) and asked me to fill the Inner Line Pass form. It was a simple form and didn’t need any photograph either (despite a section for it). The official requirement says 4 passport size photo and a photo ID is mandatory. Photo ID may include Department ID/Aadhar card/Driving License or Voter ID card. It took me only 15 minutes to complete the Inner Line Permit formality.

Inner Line Pass for Mizoram can also be received from the Liaison Officer, Government of Mizoram from the cities such as New Delhi, Silchar, Kolkata, Shillong and Guwahati.

Temporary inner line pass is issued for a total of 15 days at a time. However, he good news is that it can be renewed once for another 15 days. If you want to renew your temporary and Regular ILP, please visit the District Commissioner’s Office which is situated at the Treasury Square in Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram.

Guide to Inner Line Permit of Mizoram for Foreigners

All foreigners whether they are from U.S.A., Italy, France, Netherlands, Australia or New Zealand , they must register themselves at the office of Superintendent of Police (CID/SB) Mizoram. This official is the designated Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) of Mizoram. The foreign tourists must complete the inner line permit process within 24 hours of their arrival inside the territory of Mizoram.

Special condition has been laid out for some countries. Citizens of China , Afghanistan and Pakistan and foreign nationals having their origin in these countries must take a prior approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs before they step inside Mizoram.

Inner Line Permit Address

Lengpui Airport: Officer in charge, Anti Hijacking Security, Civil Aerodrome, Lengpui

Conclusion: Is Champhai worth visiting ?

Why visit Champhai? Here are my final thoughts. The lush green mountains, rain-soaked landscapes, rainbows, rich avifauna, biodiversity, great weather, history, pristine villages, precious ruins of lost civilizations, unusual food, diverse local culture, gorgeous rice terraces, exciting Indo-Burma border , unknown winery and vineyards are reasons enough to pay a visit to Champhai and other nearby tourist places of East Mizoram.

In a nutshell, Champhai is one of the best places to see in Mizoram due to its sheer natural beauty. I particularly enjoyed my visit to the living history museum of Vangchhia, a village in Mizoram’s Champhai district bordering Myanmar. The untouched beauty of Champhai is prominent reason why it is a great destination for a perfect summer getaway. I have covered all places to see in this complete guide to Champhai.

To summarize, a trip to Champhai will not only refresh you but will also give you a deep insight into the local Mizo culture and traditions. Here is the bottom-line. Thanks to its intriguing landscape, historic sites and modern-day development, Champhai remains one of the top places to visit in Mizoram in North East India. The beautifully preserved ruins, menhirs and other prominent historical landmarks of Mizoram with a tempering of legends and folklores are reasons enough to consider Champhai for your next vacation. Since Champhai is already a popular weekend getaway from Aizawl, it is easy to reach here.

This is the biggest ever blog on Champhai. I have written about the main attractions of the Champhai region here so that you can find all the information under one roof. If you enjoyed reading this mega blog on Champhai, please do share this with your friends and family and pin it to save for a later reference.

The view from my Soul Window is unexplored!

Pin this blog to save the blog and plan a trip later!

Related Blogs

Do check out my other detailed blogs on North East India. These blogs are the best ones on North East India available on internet:

Wancho Tribe of Arunachal

Nocte Tribe of Arunachal

Headhunters of Nagaland

Trek To Dzouko Valley

Top Places to visit in Tawang

Stay at Dirang Boutique Cottages

What to see in Bomdila?

What to see in Dirang?

Guide to Hornbill Festival

A day in Ukhrul

Hidden Gems of Majuli

Related posts:

asoulwindow

Top Travel Blogger from India

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

View Hotels For Your Date

Champhai travel essentials.

Ideal duration: 1 day

Best Time: October to June Read More

Planning a Trip? Ask Your Question

"A simple town in Mizoram"

Champhai tourism.

The town of Champhai on the eastern border of Mizoram close to the Indo-Myanmar border is the administrative headquarters of the Champhai district. It is located at a distance of 188 Kms from the capital of Aizawl and is strategically and commercially important for the state of Mizoram as well as for India. Champhai and its surrounding regions are primarily known for their natural beauty and vast valleys of rice fields. It is known as the 'Rice Bowl of Mizoram' due to being a major region of rice cultivation. Also, its vibrant seasonal orchids lend it a certain romanticism and aesthetic appeal.

Champhai has a number of tourist attractions mostly including natural settings. These include a cave called the Kungawrhi Puk, a river called Tiau Lui, Lianchhiari Lunglen Tlang and a few more. Rih Dil Lake is another famous natural attraction known to Champhai and the state of Mizoram. Adventure enthusiast can indulge in some trekking at the Thasiama Seno Neihna which is about 83 Kms south of Champhai.

Things to do in Champhai

Rih Dil

2. Murlen National Park

Murlen National Park

3. Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary

Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary

More on Champhai Travel

Mizoram's gem, suggested itinerary for champhai, best time to visit champhai, nearby places.

Serchhip, Mizoram

How to Reach Champhai

How to reach overview, how to reach champhai by flight, how to reach champhai by road, how to reach champhai by train, local transport in champhai, champhai photos.

Champhai, Mizoram

How To Reach Champhai

Faqs on champhai, what is famous about champhai, what is not so good about champhai, who should visit champhai, what is the best time to visit champhai, what is the local food in champhai, what is the best way to reach champhai, what are the places near champhai, have a question on champhai.

champhai tourist spot

Champhai Reviews

champhai tourist spot

Similar Places

Coorg, Karnataka

Get the best offers on Travel Packages

Compare package quotes from top travel agents

Compare upto 3 quotes for free

  • India (+91)

*Final prices will be shared by our partner agents based on your requirements.

Log in to your account

Welcome to holidify.

Forget Password?

Share this page

Sorry, we couldn't find anything that matches your search.

Destination

Famous Places to Explore in Hyderabad

Famous Places to Explore in Hyderabad

A vibrant city with the imposing...

Raipur Tourist Places | Best Place to Visit

Raipur Tourist Places | Best Place to Visit

The stronghold of several erstwhile...

Ahmedabad

Declared as India's first UNESCO World...

Ananthagiri

Ananthagiri

The verdant Ananthagiri Hills is...

Basar

Located on the banks of River Godavari,...

Arang

Situated around 40 km from Raipur,...

Abhaneri

Boasting the famous Chand Baori...

Albert Hall Museum

Albert Hall Museum

A magnificent building built in...

G20

2023. The year of India’s G20...

#

Bird's eye view to Myanmar

  • Destinations

With the splendid heart-shaped Rih Dil Lake at its centre and the majestic Myanmar hills in the backdrop, Champhai, in the state of Mizoram, is an off-beat tourist destination that casts a spell upon the traveller with its glorious natural beauty. Carpeted by vibrant orchids that are kissed by a host of butterflies, Champhai looks like a little piece of heaven. Its colourful tribal traditions coupled with romantic ruins, ancient relics, memorials and monuments, make Champhai a serene relief from the bustle of the city. Champhai enjoys a salubrious climate and one of the best spots to visit is the picturesque Champhai valley that is also known as the Rice Bowl of Mizoram. It lies at a distance of about 192 km from Aizawl, the capital of the state.

Other Attractions

Lengteng wildlife sanctuary.

Located on one of the highest peaks in Mizoram with a height of 2,141 m, the Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary is a lush cover of alpine forest. Sprawled across an area of 60 sq km, the sanctuary is a birdwatcher's paradise as it shelters a diverse...

Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary

Lianchhiari lunglentlang

It is a legendary cliff that protrudes dramatically from a rugged...

Mizo Poet's Square

Mizo Poet's Square

Popularly known as Mizo Poet’s Square, Hlakungpui Mual was built to...

Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary

Located on one of the highest peaks in Mizoram with a height of 2,141...

How to get there

The nearest airport is the Lengpui Airport, about 32 km from Aizawl.

Champhai is well-connected to nearby cities by good and motorable roads.

The nearest railhead is Bairabi railway station, about 300 km from Champhai.

We use cookies to ensure that you have the best experience on our website. Continued use of the website would be assumed to be an acceptance of these conditions.

Sign up to our newsletter to receive exciting content about the tourism destinations in India.

Thank you for subscribing! Explore India with us.

Things to Do in Champhai, India - Champhai Attractions

Things to do in champhai.

  • 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • Good for Kids
  • Good for Big Groups
  • Adventurous
  • Budget-friendly
  • Good for a Rainy Day
  • Hidden Gems
  • Good for Couples
  • Honeymoon spot
  • Good for Adrenaline Seekers
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

champhai tourist spot

1. Lamsial Puk

renthlei_tetei

2. Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary

savio_pinto12

3. Mura Puk

4. thasiama seno neihna, 5. palak wildlife sanctuary, what travelers are saying.

Rajivglobaltraveller

  • Lamsial Puk
  • Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Thasiama Seno Neihna
  • Palak Wildlife Sanctuary

Top Things to Do in Champhai District, Mizoram

Places to visit in champhai district.

  • 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • Good for Kids
  • Good for Big Groups
  • Adventurous
  • Budget-friendly
  • Good for a Rainy Day
  • Hidden Gems
  • Good for Couples
  • Honeymoon spot
  • Good for Adrenaline Seekers
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

champhai tourist spot

1. Lamsial Puk

renthlei_tetei

2. Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary

savio_pinto12

3. Mura Puk

4. murlen national park, 5. thasiama seno neihna, 6. palak wildlife sanctuary, what travellers are saying.

Rajivglobaltraveller

  • Murlen National Park
  • Lamsial Puk
  • Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Thasiama Seno Neihna
  • Palak Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Group Tours
  • International
  • Middle East
  • North America

champhai tourist spot

  • Destination

BEST TIME TO VISIT

champhai tourist spot

24, Ashok Vihar Colony, Picnic Spot Road, Lucknow - 226022, Uttar Pradesh, India.

+91-9453500174

[email protected]

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

champhai tourist spot

champhai tourist spot

🗓 Best Time To Visit: October to May

⏰ Open Hours: N/A

🏞 Things To Do: Explore Murlen National Park, Visit Rhododendron Garden, Discover the history at Lianchhiari Lunglen Tlang

💰 Budget: Entry fees applicable for certain attractions like Murlen National Park

🧳 Traveller Types: Nature Lovers, Adventure Seekers, History Buffs

📌 Known For: Scenic beauty, Rhododendron Orchids, Murlen National Park, traditional Mizo culture

🚉 Distances: From Aizawl Airport - 194 km, From Silchar Railway Station - 381 km, From Aizawl City - 194 km

🍽 Local Cuisine: Try traditional Mizo dishes like Bai, Vawksa Rep and Misa Mach Poora

🎁 Shopping: Local handicrafts, traditional Mizo attire, bamboo and cane products

🏨 Accommodation: Guest houses and homestays available, limited hotels

📌 Tips: Carry warm clothing as temperature drops at night, Be respectful of local customs and traditions

Are you looking for a unique and offbeat destination in Northeast India? Do you want to explore the rich culture, history, and nature of Mizoram? If yes, then Champai is the place for you. Champai is a district and a town in Mizoram, located near the border with Myanmar. It is also known as the rice bowl of Mizoram, as it produces the most rice in the state . Champai is not only a scenic and serene place, but also a strategic and commercial hub, as it connects India with Myanmar through the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project.

In this article, we will tell you everything you need to know about Champai and its tourist attractions, such as Rih Dil lake, Murlen National Park, Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary, and Thasiama Seno Neihna. We will also provide you with some information and tips on how to visit Champai and make the most of your trip. So, let’s get started!

Photo of Champhai 1/1 by

Rih Dil Lake: The Heart-Shaped Lake of Mizoram

One of the most popular and beautiful attractions in Champai is Rih Dil lake , which is a heart-shaped lake situated in Myanmar, about 22 km from Champai town. Rih Dil lake is the largest lake in Mizoram, with an area of 1.9 sq km and a depth of 60 m. It is also considered as a part of Mizoram by the locals, as it is believed to be the passage to the afterlife for the Mizo people. According to legend, the souls of the dead have to cross this lake before reaching Pialral, the abode of the gods. The lake is also associated with many rituals and ceremonies, such as the offering of flowers and prayers to the departed souls.

If you want to visit Rih Dil lake, you will need a special permission from the Myanmar authorities, which can be obtained from the Indian embassy in Yangon or the Mizoram government. The best time to visit the lake is from October to March, when the weather is pleasant and the lake is full of water. You can reach the lake by hiring a taxi or a bike from Champai town, which will take about an hour. You can also stay at a guest house or a homestay near the lake, which will give you a chance to experience the hospitality and culture of the Mizo people.

Murlen National Park: The Home of the Clouded Leopard

Another attraction that you should not miss in Champai is Murlen National Park , which is one of the largest and most diverse national parks in Mizoram. Murlen National Park covers an area of 200 sq km and has an elevation range of 400 to 1900 m. It is home to a variety of flora and fauna, including tropical, semi-evergreen, and sub-montane forests, and more than 150 species of birds and 15 species of mammals. Some of the rare and endangered animals that can be seen in the park are the clouded leopard, the hoolock gibbon, the Himalayan black bear, the barking deer, and the wild boar.

Murlen National Park has many attractions and activities for the visitors, such as the Khampui peak, which is the highest point in the park and offers a panoramic view of the surrounding hills and valleys, the Mura cave, which is a natural cave with stalactites and stalagmites, the Hnahlan village, which is a traditional Mizo village with bamboo houses and handicrafts, and the wildlife viewing, which can be done by taking a guided safari or a nature walk. The entry fee for the park is Rs. 20 per person and the timing is from 8 am to 4 pm. You can reach the park by hiring a taxi or a bike from Champai town, which will take about 2 hours. You can also stay at a forest rest house or a campsite inside the park, which will give you a chance to experience the wilderness and adventure of the park.

Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary: The Second Highest Peak of Mizoram

If you are a nature lover and a trekker, then you should definitely visit Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary , which is adjacent to Murlen National Park and shares a common boundary with it. Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 120 sq km and has an elevation range of 400 to 2141 m. It is home to a similar variety of flora and fauna as Murlen National Park, with some additional species, such as the orchids, the rhododendrons, and the serow, which is the state animal of Mizoram. Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary is also known for its Lengteng peak, which is the second highest peak in Mizoram and a popular trekking destination.

Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary has many attractions and activities for the visitors, such as the Lengteng peak, which is a challenging and rewarding trek that offers a spectacular view of the sunrise and sunset, the Zopar river, which is a crystal clear and refreshing stream that flows through the sanctuary, the Zopui village, which is a quaint and peaceful village that showcases the rural life of the Mizo people, and the trekking and camping opportunities, which can be done by taking a guided tour or a self-guided trail. You will need a special permission from the forest department to visit the sanctuary, which can be obtained from the Champai town or the Aizawl city. The best time to visit the sanctuary is from October to March , when the weather is cool and dry. You can reach the sanctuary by hiring a taxi or a bike from Champai town, which will take about 3 hours. You can also stay at a forest rest house or a campsite inside the sanctuary, which will give you a chance to experience the thrill and beauty of the sanctuary.

Thasiama Seno Neihna: The Table Top of Mizoram

The last attraction that we will mention in this article is Thasiama Seno Neihna , which is a flat-topped mountain with steep cliffs on all sides, located about 86 km from Champai town. Thasiama Seno Neihna covers an area of 12 sq km and has a height of 1920 m. It is also considered as the abode of the gods and the origin of the Mizo people, as it is believed that the first Mizo clans were created here by the god Pathian. Thasiama Seno Neihna is also associated with many myths and stories, such as the flood that submerged the whole world except this mountain, and the rainbow bridge that connected this mountain with the heaven.

If you want to visit Thasiama Seno Neihna, you will need a special permission from the forest department, which can be obtained from the Champai town or the Aizawl city. The best time to visit the mountain is from October to March , when the weather is clear and the visibility is high. You can reach the mountain by hiring a taxi or a bike from Champai town, which will take about 4 hours. You can also stay at a guest house or a homestay near the mountain, which will give you a chance to interact with the locals and learn more about their culture and folklore.

Champai is a district and a town in Mizoram that offers a unique and offbeat experience to the visitors. It is a place where you can witness the blend of nature, culture, and history, and explore the attractions such as Rih Dil lake, Murlen National Park, Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary, and Thasiama Seno Neihna. Champai is also a place where you can connect with Myanmar and learn more about the cross-border trade and relations.

If you are looking for a destination that will surprise you and enrich you, then Champai is the place for you. So, what are you waiting for? Book your trip to Champai with Tripoto, the leading online travel platform that offers the best deals and packages for your travel needs.

FB Pixel

Champhai Valley

Champhai Valley Tourism

  • Champhai Valley
  • Best time to visit
  • Tourist Map
  • within 25kms
  • within 50kms
  • within 100kms
  • within 150kms
  • within 200kms
  • within 250kms
  • within 300kms
  • within 500kms

Opening and Closing time of Champhai Valley

Disclaimer: It's important to check the most current information before planning your visit, as opening hours can vary and might be subject to change due to special events, maintenance, or unforeseen circumstances. A reliable way to confirm the opening hours is to contact the local tourism board, check the official website (if available)

Entry Ticket Pricing for Champhai Valley

Disclaimer: Please note that prices are subject to change, cross check required .

Tips when you are visiting to Champhai Valley

Murlen National Park

Other Suggested Reads for Champhai Valley

  • Best time to Visit in Champhai Valley
  • Champhai Valley Tourism History
  • FAQS about Champhai Valley
  • Champhai Valley Tourist Map

Discover Northeast India

Champhai- The Rice Bowl of Mizoram

Champhai

Champhai is a small sub-divisional town in Mizoram and is the headquarters of Champhai district. The town is well connected to other major towns in Mizoram, making it an ideal getaway from the hustle and bustle of Aizawl. The name, Champhai, is believed to be derived from the Mizo language, where ‘chambo’ means ‘rice’ and ‘ai’ means ‘place’. Thus, Champhai means ‘rice bowl’. The town is surrounded by lush green paddy fields and is nicknamed the ‘Rice bowl of Mizoram’.

Champhai, located on the Indo – Myanmar border is an ideal tourist destination due to its beautiful landscape, rich history and folklore, and modern comforts that blend in a subtle way to make it an ideal place to plan time off for relaxation and recreation.  In addition to its breathtaking beauty, this bustling town is a treasure trove of ancient relics, monuments, legends, and folklore. It is also known as Mizoram’s burgeoning “fruit bowl.” Vineyards, passion fruit, and recently introduced kiwi fruit plantations in the surrounding hill slopes provide a diverse collection of colours that are visually appealing.

Champhai Mizoram

The Champhai district is considered to have served as the first point of entry and settlement for Mizo migrants to India. Champhai has a rich heritage; monuments and monoliths depicting war success, hunting, personal grief, and achievements can be found in small hamlets and villages. Landmarks, where legends and folklore were spun, are also preserved. The Champhai Valley is located near the town’s outskirts, near the Myanmar border. Surrounded on all sides by undulating hills, a vast expanse of rice fields, popularly known as Mizoram’s “rice bowl,” provides one of the most spectacular views in the region.

Champhai has a number of tourist attractions, the majority of which are in natural settings. These include the Kungawrhi Puk cave, the Tiau Lui river, Lianchhiari Lunglen Tlang, and a few others. Rih Dil Lake is another well-known natural attraction in Champhai and Mizoram. Trekking enthusiasts can go to the Thasiama Seno Neihna, which is about 83 kilometres south of Champhai.

Things to do in Champhai:

Rih Dil

Rih Lake is the largest lake in Mizoram and is frequently claimed to be in Myanmar. It is a beautiful heart-shaped lake 14 miles from Champhai in Mizoram and 63 miles from Falam, a town in Myanmar, and is believed to be the passage of souls to their eternal abode.

Rih Dil cannot be visited unless the Deputy Commissioner’s Office grants permission.

2. Murlen National Park

Murlen National Park

Murlen National Park, which covers 100 square kilometres and is known for its subtropical evergreen forests, is home to animals such as the hoolock gibbon and the Himalayan Black Bear. Leopards, tigers, and a variety of other species have been spotted here.

The tiger, leopard, sambar, barking deer, Malayan giant squirrel, Himalayan black bear, serow, hoolock gibbon, rhesus macaque, Hume’s pheasant, kalij pheasant, grey partridge, hill myna, and dark-rumped swift can all be found here. There have been reports of hunting and poaching in Murlen National Park.

3. Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary

Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary

Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Mizoram’s eastern region, north of Murlen National Park. The Sanctuary covers an area of 8,000 ha, with elevations ranging from 400 to 2,141 metres. Mizoram’s second-highest peak is located here. Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Mizoram’s eastern region, north of Murlen National Park (another IBA). The Sanctuary covers an area of 8,000 ha, with elevations ranging from 400 to 2,141 metres. This IBA includes Mizoram’s second-highest peak.

This sanctuary is home to animals such as the barking deer, rhesus macaque, wild boar, and leopard. Tigers and gorals can also be found here.

Champhai’s climate is warm and temperate. The annual average temperature is 18 degrees Celsius. Because the climate is temperate, this place can be visited all year, but it is best to avoid the rainy months (June to September), as it rains heavily during these months and may cause your tour to be canceled.

Champhai, the ‘Rice bowl of Mizoram’, is a beautiful, charming, and hospitable town. The town is ideal for those looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of Aizawl and explore the lush green paddy fields and the thriving rice cultivation industry in Mizoram. Visit Champhai during the winter and experience a truly charming and memorable trip.

Indian travelers need to obtain an Inner Line Permit (ILP) before entering the state. (Details on how to obtain an ILP are discussed in one of our earlier articles )

You Might Also Like

Falkawn

Falkawn: A Unique Mizo Experience

Aizawl

Aizawl: The Home Of The Highlanders

Read more about the article Serchhip: Hidden Gem of Mizoram

Serchhip: Hidden Gem of Mizoram

Lunglei

Lunglei: Mizoram’s Fascinating Off-Beat Destination

Leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

  • Post author: Editorial Team
  • Post published: October 23, 2022
  • Post comments: 0 Comments

champhai tourist spot

Tale of 2 Backpackers

Tourism in Mizoram – Things to know before you go (Travel Guide)

Mizoram , Featured , India , Northeast India

Mizoram Travel Guide

Last Updated on: Feb 10, 2023  

Mizoram, also known as the Land of Blue Mountains and the Land of Lushai Highlanders is an exceptionally beautiful place. Covered with lush green forests, tourism in Mizoram is known for its breathtaking views from cliffs, stunning waterfalls and picturesque villages set amidst seas of morning mist that enfold the hills and peaks in its embrace. Here is our complete Mizoram Travel Guide that will help you to plan a trip to Mizoram. Mizoram runs at its own rhythm. This is what we understood on our week-long trip in Mizoram. Literally tucked in one corner of the country, tourism in Mizoram has not yet seen the rush. Thus the beautiful mountain villages and the verdant valleys beyond Aizawl remains quite a tempting destination for off-the-beaten-track travellers like us. The Mizos are friendly and helpful; they lead their life on their own terms.

Vantwang Waterfall - tourism in Mizoram

The hills of Mizoram are often shrouded in a perpetual mist and cloud. They look simply magnificent. Even at nights, you can see a layer of cloud hovering near the hills. That led us to think why this state was not called the abode of clouds! With diverse natural beauty and gorgeous countryside, the land of Lushai highlanders welcomed us with open arms. BUSY NOW? CLICK HERE TO PIN THIS FOR A LATER READ ! The plan to visit Mizoram was a sudden one. The time was during the October holidays and flights to Aizawl were at a sky-high price. So we decided to do a little detour to Aizawl. We reached Silchar and from there took a shared Sumo to Aizawl. It was a long journey, but Mizoram is worth all the trouble on the road.

Where is Mizoram located?

Mizoram is located in the southern corner of Northeast India and shares its borders with Myanmar and Bangladesh. Assam, Manipur and Tripura are its neighbours in the Indian side.

The land of Lushai Highlanders

Mizoram has very interesting folklore about their origin. The majority of Mizo tribes believe that they had originated from Khul, a mythical cave in south China. Most of these beliefs were passed on oral traditions. These tribes then migrated towards Manipur and Assam and Myanmar. Mizo literally means highlanders and so Mizoram is practically the land of the Highlanders. Anthropologically, the Mizos belong to the Mongoloid race and were the original settlers in the Shan state of erstwhile Burma. Two of their tribes, the Lushais and the Hmars migrated to their present land crossing the Tiau River bordering western Burma in the early eighteenth century. After the Indian independence in 1947, Mizoram was originally a part of Assam. Later it became a union territory in 1971 and finally, Mizoram became the 23rd Indian State in 1987.

Handicraft of Mizoram

The Mizos are divided into several sub-tribes having their own dialect. In the past, the Mizos were animists and worshipped nature. Later with the advent of Christian missionaries, they embraced Christianity. Now, the majority of them are Christians and almost every village and city of Mizoram has a beautiful church. Infact, Aizawl can be called a city of churches, as we found so many of them there. The Mizos take their Sundays very seriously. Almost everything is closed on Sundays. The Mizos attend the church dressed in their best attires on Sunday morning and evening for mass and prayer. We arrived Aizawl on a Sunday when all the shops and market were closed, the sumo stand was also closed and we could not get any sumo to our next destination! But on the road, we saw pretty ladies and handsome men in their best dresses and suits. It reminded us of our stay at Shnongpdeng in Meghalaya .

Night view of Aizawl city

Why should you visit Mizoram?

You should visit Mizoram because tourism in Mizoram is completely unadulterated and off the beaten track. The natural beauty of the state is unparalleled. Verdant rolling hills stretch across the horizon. Different shades of green gradually get toned down towards a bluish tint as you keep looking at them.  No wonder Mizoram is also known as the land of blue mountains. In the early morning, the mists from the valleys envelop the hills and mountains in such a way that it feels like a milky white sea. Mizoram also has a number of lakes and waterfalls. Come down to the valleys and you will see stretches of paddy fields surrounded by small hills.

Did you Know? Mizoram has 22 hill ranges of diverse heights.

The Mizos have a rich and culture and they are passionately drawn to singing and dances. The festivals are quite colourful and their songs and dances depict their joyful nature. With so many places to visit in Mizoram, I hope you will definitely find your reason to visit this remote state of India.

Mizoram Tourism | How to reach Mizoram?

The easiest way to reach Mizoram would be by taking a flight to Aizawl, the capital city. Aizawl is connected by direct flights from Kolkata, New Delhi and Guwahati. Other ways to reach Mizoram is long and tedious. Get your flight tickets done early because they usually get costly.

Guwahati to Aizawl If you do not want to spend on flights, then the next easy way is to reach by road. Overnight buses are available from Guwahati , almost 470 km away. Although Google Maps will show you that it takes about 15 hours to cover this distance, rest assured, buses will take almost 20 -22 hours to reach. Buses to Aizawl are available from the ASTC  Bust stand near Guwahati Railway Station and ISBT, Guwahati. I know people who have spent almost 24 hours on the bus. Roads on mountains are highly unpredictable and so keeping buffer time is highly recommended. Shared sumos are also available from Guwahati to Aizawl.

Silchar Airport

Silchar to Aizawl You can also reach Aizawl from Silchar, Assam. Shared sumos are available from Silchar Sumo Stand just opposite to the Mizoram House in Silchar. The distance between Silchar to Aizawl is about 175 km. Here again, do not get fooled by the time G-maps show you. We had taken this route to Aizawl. Sumo takes about 7-8 hours to Aizawl. Sumos from Silchar to Aizawl is available at 6.30 AM, 11.30 AM, 3 PM and 6 PM. The times are subjected to changes. We arrived at Silchar from Kolkata in the morning and took the sumo at 11.30 AM. The journey started at 12 noon and we reached at 9.30 PM. But our sumo had broken down just 10 km before reaching Aizawl town and we lost about an hour there. Even then, keep aside 7-8 hours for this ride. The conditions of the road are fine as long as it is in Assam. The last stretch of roads to Aizawl is quite bumpy. There are other ways to reach Mizoram as well. From the Silchar stand, we saw sumos available to Champhai and Kolasib as well.

Sumo to Champhai - Tourism in Mizoram

There are sumos available from Imphal, Manipur to Aizawl as well. But we heard the road conditions to be very bad. There is absolutely no guarantee when you would reach your destination and the ride is very bumpy. If you are coming from Manipur to Mizoram, I would suggest you make the journey via Silchar. Take a sumo from Imphal to Silchar and then another one to Aizawl. You might take a little more time, but the journey will be a bit better. By Train There are no railways in Mizoram. The nearest railway station is at Silchar in Assam. From Silchar, take the sumo as I mentioned in the earlier para.

Mizoram Tourism | Getting around Mizoram

Mizoram has a hilly terrain, so some of the roads are not at all good. Mizoram does have a robust sumo service. Almost all the major towns and district headquarters are connected by daily sumos that leave at regular intervals. The villages are also connected by sumo, but their numbers are generally very less. Mizoram is also one of the northeast states where we found that sumos ply also in the night time. And believe me, they are quite safe. We ourselves were a bit sceptical about the night sumo, having known about the treacherous road conditions of the mountains. But believe, the night sumos in Mizoram are quite safe. We had taken night sumo from Champhai to Aizawl and later from Aizawl to Silchar. As far as we had heard, accidents usually do not happen.

How to get around Mizoram

So from Aizawl, you will get sumo to almost all the major towns and destinations of Mizoram like Champhai, Thenzawl, Kolasib, Lunglei, Saiha, Serchip, Lawngtlai etc. Sumos are available from Zarkawt Main Street. There are a number of Sumo counters on the street. Just go to one and book your tickets from there. From Zarkawt , there is a flight of stairs that comes down to the market area. Sumos from Champhai are available from there. Wherever you want to go, just go to any sumo counter and ask about the place. They will help you with the time, fare and other details of the sumo. From Zarkawt, you will also get sumos to Silchar. However, sumos to Guwahati is available from some other stand. But there is a sumo counter right at Zarkawt. There is the bus counter also from where you will get bus tickets for Guwahati. While considering our return option, we asked about the bus service. The buses leave at around 2.30 PM and reach Guwahati not before 11.30 the next morning. Volvo buses are available . We saw a couple of them on the road. Renting cars in Mizoram Renting cars in Mizoram can be quite a costly affair. It is unlikely that you will get a small car for rent. Mostly, SUVs are available and they charge Rs30-35 per km. So if you have your own car, it is well and good, otherwise, be ready to pay the high price.

Tourism in Mizoram

Nevertheless, sumo services in Mizoram between the main towns are quite reliable. Try to get the seats in the front or second row. The third row becomes a bit uncomfortable for people having long legs like me! A word of caution: For going offbeat destinations and villages, get to know about your sumo timings beforehand. Also, go to the counter, meet the driver or any representative and get your seats booked. I am telling you this from our personal experience. I will narrate the experience later. Bike taxis in Aizawl Aizawl has a fleet of bike taxis, i.e there are riders on scooty who will take you to your destinations. They usually charge about Rs20 -30 depending on the destination. But they can ask more from tourists.

Bike taxis in Aizawl - Mizoram Tourism

Do you need an Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Mizoram?

Yes, you would need Inner Line Permit (ILP) for Mizoram .  And no, you would not get it online . Indian tourists need Inner Line permit to visit Mizoram and they can be obtained from Liason Officer in Mizoram House in Kolkata, Silchar, Shillong, Guwahati and New Delhi. ILP can also be obtained from Lengpui Airport at Aizawl, Mizoram for tourists coming in by flight. Tourists entering from Bairabi and Vairengte can obtain ILP from Sub-Deputy Commissioner, Bairabi and Sub-Divisional Officer Vairengte respectively.

Filled up ILP form for Mizoram

You will need to fill up the ILP form and submit copies of your ID and address proof and two sets of passport-sized photographs. ILP Fees : Rs.120 (Rs.20 for the form and Rs.100 Processing fees). Please note, that citizens of Assam need to show the NRC certificate while obtaining ILP. Validity of ILP: Well, on the website, it is written that ILP can be obtained for 15 days and renewed for another 15 days. But the reality is a bit different. Let me tell you about our experience of getting a Mizoram ILP.

Getting Mizoram ILP

We applied at the Mizoram House at Kolkata located at Singhi Castle Building at Gariahat Road.  I had already downloaded the ILP form from the website , filled it up with the details to submit it there. But there I was told I have to fill it up in the form provided by them. So again I filled up the form and submitted to the officer at Mizoram House. Here again, I arrived at the office at 1 PM. The officer there told me that ILP form can be submitted only till 12 PM. After much request and apologies, she took my form. I had requested for an ILP for 10 days. But there again I was told that ILP will be given only for 7 days. You usually get the ILP on the next working day. However, I think the officer took pity on me and arranged for the ILP on the same day. The Mizoram Houses remains closed on Saturday, Sundays and Public Holidays. If by any chance, you have not got your ILP done, you can get your ILP also at Vairengte Checkpost. Our sumo from Silchar stopped at the Vairengte Gate. There were a few passengers who did not have ILP. But getting ILP from the Vairengte Checkpost is a long process. For 3 passengers, we had to wait for almost 1.5 hours there. Further, the officials here want details of your sponsorship. It becomes difficult to make them understand that a tour is self-sponsored. There was a guy in motorbike who was getting his ILP from the checkpost. He had a hard time getting the ILP. And the passengers from Assam who did not have their NRC certificate were simply denied ILP.

Vairengte Checkpost - you can get Mizoram ILP from here

Getting the ILP renewed

If you want to stay for more than 7 days, you need to get your ILP renewed. Renewal can be done at District Commissioner’s Office located at Treasury Square, Aizawl. We went to the Champhai DC office to renew our ILP. There again, we got a new form, filled it up and submitted again (also paid another Rs 140). We wanted to renew for 7 days, but there they renewed the ILP for only 3 days! The lady there simply told us that they cannot renew the ILP for more than 3 days. Fancy wasting an entire day for getting only 3 days permit! I am not quite sure what happen in Aizawl Office. But will you come back to Aizawl again to renew the ILP? So I will recommend you to get different ILPs for your dates. Having said all these, our ILP was not checked even once in our entire trip, even at the checkpost. But the irony is you need to have an ILP. I often wonder why would I need to get a permit to travel within my own country. Even if I had to, I wish the process was easier and online as the ILP in Arunachal Pradesh. For Foreign tourists Foreign tourists no longer require Protected Area Permit for Nagaland. However, they must register themselves at the local Foreigner Registration Office (FRO) of the districts they visit within 24 hours of arrival. But residents of Pakistan, Afghanistan and China are still banned from visiting the PAP restricted area.

Rainbow on road

Our Mizoram Itinerary

Day 1 | Kolkata – Silchar (by flight) – Aizawl (Sumo) We started from Kolkata, reached Silchar by flight. Flight to Silchar was really cheap compared to Aizawl. Silchar Airport is a small one located quite away from the main town. ASTC buses are available from the airport to the main town. There is an ASTC Bus Counter at Silchar Airport. Otherwise, you can hire a car from the airport to the town and you will cross through the beautiful and green tea gardens of Assam before entering the small town of Silchar. The car fare is Rs1000.

View of Aizawl city

The Sumo stand is just opposite the Mizoram House at Silchar. We booked our sumo tickets, had our lunch and started our journey towards Mizoram at 12 PM. We reached Aizawl at around 9.30 PM after our car breakdown. It was my second car breakdown after Basar .

Day 2 | Aizawl This was a Sunday and so everything was closed in Aizawl. We stayed in the city, roamed around the streets visited the churches and admired the handsome men and beautiful ladies. Later in the afternoon, we visited K V Paradise and Solomon’s Temple.

K V Paradise, Aizawl - Mizoram tourism

Day 3 | Aizawl – Champhai We took a sumo early in the morning to Champhai. We reached in the afternoon. Champhai is an extremely beautiful place connected to tourism Mizoram. Located near the Indo-Myanmar border, Champhai district is also known as the Rice Bowl of Mizoram . The place is full of green paddy fields and is so pleasing to the eyes. We stayed at the Champhai Tourist Lodge .

Rice fields at Champhai, Mizoram tourism

Day 4 | Champhai – Zokawthar – Rih Dil (Myanmar) – Champhai The main attraction of Champhai is definitely the Rih Dil, a lake situated in Myanmar but revered by the Mizos. Zokawthar is the border town just like Moreh in India. We had not thought that after crossing the Indo- Myanmar border last year, we would again visit Myanmar , even though it is only for some time.

In the morning, we took shared sumo to Zokawthar. From there, we crossed the border bridge across the Tiau River. The River forms the natural boundary between the two countries. On crossing the boundary, we had to keep our Adhaar cards with the border security of Myanmar. While we were wondering on how to go to Rih Dil , we found that scooty are available that will take you to the Lake. The distance is hardly 3-4 km and we rode on the back of the rider and they dropped us to Rih Dil, waited there and also brought us back. The scooty took Rs250 per head.

Rih Dil is the most important lake in Mizoram but is located in Myanmar

After our visit to Rih Dil, we came back to Champhai and visited the wine factory. We wanted to see the vineyards, but it was not the season. The vines were all dried up. So we scrapped the plan. If you want to see the vines in season, visit during August.

Day 5 | Champhai – Aizawl We explored Champai area on foot and also went to the DC office to get our ILP renewed. We were supposed to leave for Vangchhia in the afternoon. Well, then the sumo fiasco happened!

Markets of Champhai

Our sumo fiasco It so happened, that we were at Champhai and had planned to visit Vangchhia next. We asked a local person about sumo to Vangchhia and he gave us the phone number of the sumo driver. We called him, but could not understand a word of what he said. He was speaking in his own dialect and did not understand English. So we again got hold of another local and asked him to talk to the sumo driver on our behalf. He talked with him and told us that sumo to Vangchhia is available the next day and it will pick us up from Champhai Tourist Lodge at 1 PM. So we were quite happy that our next sumo was arranged and we did not have to visit the sumo counter. But that was the mistake we made. What happened the next day was totally uncalled for. The next morning, we requested the manager cum cook cum caretaker of the Champhai tourist lodge to speak to the Vangchhia sumo driver to confirm. He spoke to the driver and got the confirmation. So we checked out of the tourist lodge at 12 PM and were waiting for our sumo. It was going to pick us up from the Tourist Lodge itself. It was 1 PM, then 1.30, the sumo did not arrive yet. I started calling on the drivers’ number and he did not pick up the call. It was 2 PM and then 3 PM, yet no news of the sumo driver and he refused to pick up our calls. We were in Champhai for already 2 days, our next plans were almost fixed and we checked out of the lodge too. We were just sitting at the lobby with our backpacks without knowing what to do. Finally We called up at the Aizawl sumo counter (the number we got while coming to Champhai). They told us that the sumo to Vangchhia already left. Well, he went without taking us! It took us a moment to sink in. So that day, we have nowhere to go and we have to also look for a place to stay. I called up the sumo counter again to ask about the next day’s sumo. And he had another bad news for us. The next day, there was some sumo owners’ convention and so no sumos will be running! Well, now that was another problem as our leaves were limited! I think I sounded really sad and desperate on the phone. The person on the other end suggested that we might consider going to Aizawl that night itself as night sumos to Aizawl were available. We were a bit sceptical to take the night sumo but then decided to take it. We asked him to book two seats for us in the sumo. This time also, the guy at the sumo counter said whether he will pick us up from the Tourist Lodge. I almost shouted “No”. Once bitten, twice shy. I am not going to repeat the mistake. So we took our baggage and went straight to the sumo counter in the market area. We bought our tickets, identified our sumo and finally sat down after taking a long breath! Whoa! What a day of misadventures! Vangchhia was cancelled for this trip.

Mizoram Itinerary

The road to Thenzawl goes through a place where the Tropic of Cancer passes through . The sumo driver was good enough to stop the sumo there for some time so that we can take some photographs. He was so good after the one who stranded us at Champhai. We reached Thenzawl and booked a car there and visited the Vantwang Falls and the Tuirihiau Falls .

Vantwang Falls in Thenzawl Mizoram Tourism

Vantwang Falls is a vision. You cannot really go close to the waterfall and have to see it from a distance at the viewpoint. Even from a distance, it looks amazing. Tuirihiau falls is special because we could go behind the falls. Both of them were extremely gorgeous. From Thenzawl, we came back to Hmuifang. We had a hard time getting sumo for Hmuifang as it was almost late. We had to wait a long time before we got a car that dropped us to Hmuifang. Hmuifang is a small hill station and has some great views of the mountains and valleys. Hmuifang lies between Aizawl and Thenzawl. We stayed at the Hmuifang Tourist Lodge for the night. Day 7 | Hmuifang – Aizawl Early mornings in Hmuifang is beautiful with the mist rolling in and clouds hanging over the hills. We felt that we could spend the entire day there simply looking at the clouds coming and going. There is not much to do here. This is a place to relax. And well, we enjoyed the stay after all our hectic sumo journeys. Later in the afternoon, we returned to Aizawl.

Hmuifang Tourist Lodge Mizoram tourism

Here again, we found it difficult to get a vehicle for Aizawl a bit difficult. All the sumos that were coming from Thenzawl or Serchhip were already full. We had to wait a long time before we got 2 seats in sumo. Day 8 | Aizawl – Reiek – Aizawl So we had another day and we decided to give a visit to Reiek. We hired a car for Reiek as we could not find any proper public vehicle for Reiek that would suit our time.

Reiek Peak Mizoram Tourism

Reiek is another delightful place and is also the venue of the Anthurium festival. The festival was celebrated just a few days back and so Reiek was decorated quite beautifully. A model Mizo village was also built for the visitors there. We climbed up Reiek Peak and took a visit to the model village. After that, we were back at Aizawl. From Aizawl, we took night sumo to Silchar. Now that we had already done a night journey, we had no qualms in doing it again. The only problem that we faced was that the sumo dropped us at Silchar at 3.00 AM and our train to Agartala was at 8 AM. We had to wait for 5 long hours at the railway station which did not even have a proper waiting room.

 Mizoram Tourism | Where to stay?

The best places to stay in Mizoram are Tourist Lodges run by Mizoram Tourism department. They are located at strategic locations and are quite cheaper compared to hotels. Aizawl has a number of hotels, but we found the hotel rent to be comparatively higher compared to the service and standard. Well, the Mizoram is quite remote and understandably the cost of living is higher here. There is a travellers Inn at Aizawl that has single rooms for Rs350. But the hostel is quite basic. Champhai also has a few hotels.

Champhai Tourist Lodge run by Mizoram Tourism

Phone number of some Tourist Lodges run by Mizoram Tourism

  • Chaltlang T/L (Aizawl) : (0389) 2341083/ 2349421
  • Champhai T/L : (03831) 235866/ 9436143518
  • Hmuifang T/L : 9436379544
  • Reiek T/L : 9366078543
  • Thenzawl T/L : 03838-261489/ 9612065527/ 9863352362
  • Zokawthar T/L : 8415841566

Mizoram Tourism | What is the best time to visit?

You can visit Mizoram throughout the year. The best time will be between October to March. The monsoon season should be avoided as the roads get treacherous during the rains.

View on the way to Hmuifang

Tourism in Mizoram & Travel Guide (FAQ’s Answered)

Q. Is it safe to travel in Mizoram?

Mizoram is absolutely safe to travel. The people are friendly and there are usually no issues in the state.

Q. How is mobile and internet connectivity?

The main cities and town have proper mobile and internet connectivity. Vodafone and Jio work fine there. The remote places do not have proper connectivity though. We did not have any mobile connectivity at Hmuifang and a very poor one at Reiek and Thenzawl.

Q. Is permit required to visit Mizoram?

Yes, ILP is required to visit Mizoram. It has been already covered. Q. Are there ATMs in Mizoram? The main towns have a number of ATMs. We found sufficient ATMs in Aizawl, Thenzawl and Champhai. Reiek and Huifang did not have any ATM.

Q.How is the local transport in Mizoram?

You need to take a sumo to travel across Mizoram. The sumo services are quite robust and covers almost all the areas of the state. In Aizawl, taxis and bike taxis are available for commuting. We even saw a few buses, but they were less in number.

Q. How is the food? Is vegetarian food available?

The food is quite tasty. The best thing we found in Mizoram is community dining. The hotels (I am not talking about fancy restaurants here) will provide a sumptuous meal at a fixed rate. All the places we ate on the road charged Rs150 per head. A table would have 6-8 chairs. They would provide a large array of dishes on a table and all the people sitting at the table would have to eat together. They would fill up the bowls and dishes again with food if it finished. You can eat as much as you want. But you have to eat together with a few strangers on the road. I found this concept of community eating quite interesting.

Food in Mizoram

Q. What to carry in Mizoram?

Carry your ID cards and keep it safe. As for clothes, do carry some woollens and jackets whenever you plan to visit Mizoram. And in winters do carry sufficient woollens and scarves.

Q. Is Mizoram expensive?

Travelling in Mizoram by rented car is a tad bit expensive. Hotels also are expensive compared to the price of the room. We had travelled across Mizoram in shared sumos and stayed at the Tourist Lodges. They are fairly priced. We had food at the local restaurants and as we mentioned before, these places provide a meal for Rs150 per head which consists of chicken, pork, rice and vegetables in a large amount.

Q. What are other places of interest in Mizoram?

Mizoram is known as the land of the Blue Mountains . And this Blue Mountain can be seen at Lawngtlai. The Phawngpui Peak is the highest peak in Mizoram and is known as the Blue mountain. Another interesting place is Tam Dil , a lake located in Saitual, a village, about 110 km from Aizawl. Vangchhia , the place that we missed is known for its archaeological findings. A lot of menhirs had been found there that might have a link with Mizoram’s past. Vangchhia is located near Champhai.

View of Aizawl City

Q. Anything else that we should know?

  • Mizoram practically remains full closed on Sunday. Fewer sumos run on Sundays. So plan your trip and itinerary accordingly.
  • The local people are no doubt very good and honest. But for renting cars, bike taxis etc from the road, they quote a high amount, that they usually do not charge from the local population. Like the other states, they also try to get a maximum amount from the tourists. So you have to bargain with the taxi drivers and bike taxi drivers for a fair price.

Mizoram is really a beautiful and interesting place. Take time to visit this northeast state of India. You might not find the best of infrastructure here, but the experience will be worth all your trouble. We also faced a few problems with the ILP, sumo service and all, but all these are a part of travel. Inspite of all these, we loved Mizoram and would visit the place again. We will also recommend you to take a visit to the land of the Lushai Highlanders. Did you like the post? Please let us know in comments below. Pin this for a later read!!

Mizoram Travel Guide

Book Your Trip

Enjoy this article? Please share on social media

Agni Amrita Travel Blogger

Agni Amrita

Related posts.

Kibber, Gette & Tashigang – Exploring Remotest Corners of Spiti

Kibber, Gette & Tashigang – Exploring Remotest Corners of Spiti

Chicham Bridge, Spiti – Visiting the Highest Bridge in Asia

Chicham Bridge, Spiti – Visiting the Highest Bridge in Asia

Langza, The Fossil Village of Spiti –  A Comeplete Travel Guide

Langza, The Fossil Village of Spiti – A Comeplete Travel Guide

Hikkim & Komic (Spiti) – Visit to The Highest Post Office in The World

Hikkim & Komic (Spiti) – Visit to The Highest Post Office in The World

Mud Village in Pin Valley (Spiti) – A Complete Travel Guide

Mud Village in Pin Valley (Spiti) – A Complete Travel Guide

Dhankar Monastery and Dhankar Lake Trek in Spiti Valley

Dhankar Monastery and Dhankar Lake Trek in Spiti Valley

23 comments.

Thank you for the very informative post, making me excited to travel. I was wondering if foreigners (non-Indian) would be allowed to cross the India-Myanmar border to visit the Rih Dil lake?

Nice blog author. Thank you. Keep it up.

Thanks for the well detailed itinerary and sharing your wonderful experience. Heading to Mizoram tomorrow and looking forward to the experience.

Thank you so much Saurav. Have a great trip to Mizoram.

Very good mizoram trawling and helpful thanku so much

Thank you so much.

Great travelogue. Great details

Extremely helpful article. But I am having some queries regarding Mizoram tour. How can I reach you?😊

Thank you so much. Please reach to us at [email protected] or connect at Instagram @taleof2backpackers

Hey guys….great post and lots of information. I am planning to travel to Mizoram hopefully next year. Just wanted to know if a solo trip for a girl is safe?????

Thanks in advance!

Thank you, Anita! Yes, Mizoram is quite safe for solo women travellers.

Thanks for the info. Helped me to plan a trip to Mizoram.

Superb Post.. This post is more helpful to me for planning to visit Mizoram in next january

Thank you so much. Glad that you liked the post.

Extremely helpful and elaborate description. All informations are covered so nicely. Expectation is now high from you friends. It will be very nice if you explore and write about some cultural sides of this remote areas too.

Thank you so much. We do plan to write about the cultural aspects of Mizoram in a separate article. Thank you for stopping by. Keep reading!

Hey Agni and Amrita, loved the article. It has everything from places to food, stays and more. This blog is really useful for someone who needs brief details about the state. Also, I like how you have included the Inner Line Permit:). Keep traveling, keep writing.

Oh, yeah, this is what I need the brief details about it. You are really amazing about providing information on the travel i really liked it. Thank you so much for providing amazing information about it. And I’m also waiting for next to your blog.

Thank you so much Amir. Glad that the post helped you!

Superb post with stunning pictures! These are actually most beautiful places in Mizoram. In India there have many beautiful places to visit for sightseeing. Thanks for sharing great information with us. Thanks for your amazing travel guide.

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Submit Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Pin It on Pinterest

logo

35°C / Clouds

  • Places to visit
  • How to reach

There are a total of eight districts in the state of Mizoram and Champhai is one of them. It majorly consists of four rural development blocks which are famous for its flora and fauna.

Champhai is also home to Murlen National Park and Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary. Thus, for wildlife photographers, it is a great opportunity to capture some of the most unforgettable moments of their lives here.

Best Time to Visit Champhai

The peaceful beauty of this place is what will move you the most. And talking about the weather, the temperature here is pleasant mostly. On an overall basis, the average temperature of this place can reach up to 18-degree Celsius thus, it would only add to the fun quotient of your journey.

So, it won't be wrong to say that Champhai can be visited at any time of the year. However, it is specifically advised to skip the rainy months as it can be a real mess.

History of Champhai

Apparently, Champhai was considered to be the headquarters of Lalbura Sailo who was a Mizo chief and son of Vanhnuailiana. It was against him that the aggressive British expedition of 1871-1872 was directed. And in the British era, Champhai was accorded the status of a fort.

It was also during this time that the soil of this region was still untouched in terms of cultivation. So, precisely in 1898 irrigation of rice was initiated which was backed by the British Colonial Authorities. The primary reason for doing this was to supply rice to the British soldiers as well as the labourers.

Major Attractions In and Around Champhai

1. murlen national park.

In this lush and dramatically beautiful park, you will find a great variety of some of the most endangered species of animals. This place is spread around a vast area of around 100 sq km. Here, you will also get to witness the hills standing tall and proud shining in their amazingly raw beauty. Thus, not visiting this place might be a cause of regret for you.

As the name suggests, this is a heart-shaped lake which holds the true beauty of nature. What is really exciting about this place is the fact that even though it is located in Mizoram, a part of this lake is located in Myanmar. This is due to the political boundaries between the two countries. We bet that you didn’t know this! Did you?

3. Mura Puk

For history lovers, this is the kind of place which they must not absolutely miss. Here, you will be finding a total of six caves to explore and experience the rush similar to that of Indiana Jones adventures. However, there are no authentic historical records about the origin of Mura Puk. But that won’t be an issue for you unless you are a historian, isn’t it? 

4. Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary

This wildlife sanctuary is spread in an area of about 80 sq km and here you will be finding a great variety of plants and animals to discover. This place is just the perfect travel getaway for people who love nature as they would be finding so much of abundance in terms of scenic views and dazzling spectrum. Plus, you always have the possibility to spot some animal which you may not have seen before.

How to Reach Champhai

Champhai is quite an interesting place to travel, especially, if you are looking forward to discovering something unheard and unseen before. It is located at a distance of 2,550, 3,396,1,651, 3,597 km from Delhi , Mumbai , Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Here is how you can reach Champhai by the following means of public transportation. 

If you are planning to visit Champhai via flight then you should know that the nearest airport to Champhai is situated in Aizawl i.e. Lengpui Airport (AJL) situated about 215 km away. It is fairly well connected to the other regions. Once you deboard, you can easily get a cab or some other means of public transportation to reach your respective destination. 

Here is a list of Indian cities from where flights are available to Champhai

  • Kolkata to Aizawl Flight
  • Guwahati to Aizawl Flight
  • Imphal to Aizawl Flight
  • Delhi to Aizawl Flight

The nearest train station from Champhai is Bairabi which is located at a distance of about 300 km from Champhai. After deboarding at the station, you will need to hire a taxi or a bus to reach here. You can avail transportation services from - 

  • Nuremi Counter, Vengthlang
  • Tesanga Counter, Vengthlang
  • Chawngi Counter
  • Sawma Sumo Counter

You can also traverse to Champhai via road networks and depending upon the route taken, the hours to reach here can differ. From the nearby regions, you can easily avail buses, cabs to reach here. However, if you want to travel without any hassle in a slow and steady manner, then the best way to travel here would be via your own vehicle.

  • From Aizawl - 187 km via Champhai -North Vanlapaihai Road
  • From Darlawn - 229 km via NH2
  • From Sairang - 203 km via NH306

Frequently Asked Questions about Champhai

Q. Where is Champhai located? A. Champhai is a town located in the state of Mizoram, India

Q. What are the popular tourist destinations in Champhai? A.  Some popular tourist destinations in Champhai include Rihdil Lake, the Mount Everest of Mizoram, and the Champhai Wildlife Sanctuary. 

You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here

Champhai mizoram Place to visit

Chapchar Kut

Looking for a unique festival in India? Don't...

Mim_Kut_Sightseeing

Celebrated after the harvest season, Mim Kut is a...

Pawl_Kut_Attractions

Essentially a straw harvest festival of 3 days, Pa...

Orange_&_Tourism_Festival_Attractions

Orange & Tourism Festival

Welcome to the vibrant world of the Orange & T...

Garia_Puja_Attractions

Observed on the seventh day of the month of Vaisak...

Get a customized travel plan

Flight Booking

Popular packages.

5fdb451977

Romantic Goa

Starting price from 12500.00 view details.

62d1313874

Starting Price from 13200.00 View Details

62c3e14378

Goa Special Package

Starting price from 11825.00 view details, nearby stays.

["5c76703f7ac4f.j

Hotel Regency

B-49, mac donald hill, zarkawt, aizawl, mizoram 79....

["5c76704d3da37.j

The Grand Hotel

G-47, chanmari, opposite to kfc, zarkawt, aizawl,....

["5c76705bf0570.j

David's Hotel Clover

G16, chanmari, aizawl, mizoram 796001.

["5c766fd1a849b.j

Sangai Continental

M.g. avenue, thangal bazar, imphal, manipur 795001.

["5c766fe995dc8.j

The Classic Hotel

North aoc petrol pump, imphal, manipur 795001.

adotrip

Subscribe Our Newsletter To Get Exclusive Discounts & Offers In Your Inbox

Download Adotrip App Or Simply Subscribe To Get Exclusive Offers On Flights, Hotels, Buses And More

Adotrip Awrad

© Designed by Adomantra.

search

Change Password

champhai tourist spot

May I Help you

  • Tourist Attractions

Champhai Tourism

This is a town for tourism and business. It is one of the best business getaways between Myanmar (previous Burma) and India. The Champhai district has an altitude of 1678 meters. The Champhai town is one of the ancient districts. But when you are visiting Mizoram, you should make sure to find the right time. Also, there is a certain temperature for Mizoram that you must consider when visiting here.

If you are interested in enjoying simple things, you should visit this city because this is a simple town. This is a strategically placed town in the district of Mizoram. You will encounter scenic hills, colorful wisp, and much more breathtaking sites.

Apart from the beautiful surrounding, the city has a lot more things to do so you would never get tired of enjoying. The attractions include Kungawrhi Puk, RihDil Lake, Tiau Lui, Lianchhiari Lunglen Tlang, and more. You can enjoy all these attractions along with a pinch of adventure. The Thasiama Seno Neihna is ideal for adventure. You will get a package of things to enjoy in this city, and this is why you shouldn’t think twice about visiting here! The Champhai is indeed a must visit one for any tourist.

Filter Options

  • National Parks 1

Rating From

Places to visit in champhai.

 Sort By:

  • Most Recent

Travel Guide Murlen National Park Champhai

Murlen National Park

The Murlen National Park in Mizoram covers about 200 km square and lies nearby Chin Hills. Lengteng is another wildlife sanctuary that lies north of this park and is about 245 km from Aizawl.

the capital hills Uttarkashi

Booking Enquiry

Most rated destinations.

Most Rated Destinations Suryanarayana Temple Domlur

Suryanarayana Temple, Domlur

Most Rated Destinations Guru Dattatreya Temple Girnar

Guru Dattatreya Temple

Most Rated Destinations Rani Ki Vav Patan Gujarat

Rani Ki Vav

Most Rated Destinations Nidhivan Vrindavan Mathura Uttar Pradesh

Sidhbali Temple

Most Rated Destinations Gujari Mahal Hisar

Gujari Mahal, Hisar

Most Rated Destinations Jageshwar Jyotirling

Jageshwar Dham

Most Rated Destinations Patal Bhuvaneshwar

Patal Bhuvaneshwar

Most Rated Destinations Arwah Cave Cherrapunjee Meghalaya

Heritage Park

Most Rated Destinations Dol Ashram Almora, Uttarakhand

Buddha Vihar

Top Things to Do in Champhai, India - Champhai Must-See Attractions

Things to do in champhai.

  • 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
  • Good for Kids
  • Good for Big Groups
  • Adventurous
  • Budget-friendly
  • Good for a Rainy Day
  • Hidden Gems
  • Good for Couples
  • Honeymoon spot
  • Good for Adrenaline Seekers
  • Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity.

champhai tourist spot

1. Lamsial Puk

renthlei_tetei

2. Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary

savio_pinto12

3. Mura Puk

4. thasiama seno neihna, 5. palak wildlife sanctuary, what travellers are saying.

Rajivglobaltraveller

  • Lamsial Puk
  • Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Thasiama Seno Neihna
  • Palak Wildlife Sanctuary
  • SKIP TO MAIN CONTENT
  • MIZORAM SAWRKAR
  • Government of Mizoram

Search Icon

  • A+ Font Size Increase
  • A Normal Font - Selected
  • A- Font Size Decrease
  • A High Contrast
  • A Normal Contrast - Selected

State Emblem of India

SWADESH DARSHAN

Glimpse of Champhai

Swadesh Glimpse of Champhai

Champhai, a bustling commercial town at the Indo-Myanmar border is a beautiful place that offers plenty of tourist attractions. Besides its breathtaking beauty, Champhai is a store house of ancient relics, monuments and memorials of legends and folk lore. Located 180.9 kms via NH-6 from Aizawl at an elevation of 1678 mts, Champhai is also the fruit bowl of Mizoram. It is the capital of Champhai District which covers an area of 3185.83 sq.kms. Well tended vineyards, passion fruit and the recently introduced ‘Kiwi’ fruit plantations in the surrounding hill slopes that provide a kaleidoscope of colour are captivating scenes worth visiting. Believed to be the entry point & settlement of the first Mizo migrants to India, Champhai has a rich heritage background, scattered in small hamlets and villages are monuments and monoliths that depict success in war, hunting, personal grieves and achievements. Its beautiful landscape, the mingling overawe of history and legend and images of modern day development that subtlety blend together makes Champhai an ideal tourist destination both for the adventurous and the holiday maker opting for relaxation and recreation. At the base of the town, towards the Myanmar border, surrounded on all sides by undulating hills, is a wide expanse of rice field, popularly known as the rice bowl of Mizoram, which offers spectacular and one of the most awe-inspiring views of Mizoram. The Department of Tourism has constructed a Tourist Lodge and Tourist Cottages for the convenience of tourist visiting the town.

...

Mystical Mizoram

A Paradise for everyone

...

Saitual District

destination image

Keivawm Puk

Khawzawl District

destination image

Lungkhawdur

Serchhip District

cashback

  • Place to Visit
  • Things to Do
  • Plan your Trip
  • Incredible India!
  • NIDHI – Ministry of Tourism
  • SAATHI - Ministry of Tourism
  • Tourism Department, GoM
  • Thenzawl Golf Resort

utsav

  • Refund Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Admin & Hotel Login

playstore

IMAGES

  1. Champhai Tourism

    champhai tourist spot

  2. Champhai : History, Sightseeing, How To Reach & Best Time To Visit

    champhai tourist spot

  3. Champhai : History, Sightseeing, How To Reach & Best Time To Visit

    champhai tourist spot

  4. Champhai : History, Sightseeing, How To Reach & Best Time To Visit

    champhai tourist spot

  5. Champhai : History, Sightseeing, How To Reach & Best Time To Visit

    champhai tourist spot

  6. Champhai,Mizoram-Pic-Ardent-Tours

    champhai tourist spot

VIDEO

  1. CCN (Champhai News

  2. Champhai Silver Jubilee Lawmna

  3. CCN (Champhai News

  4. CCN (Champhai News

  5. CCN (Champhai News

  6. CCN (Champhai News

COMMENTS

  1. Places to see in Champhai: Complete Guide

    There is a stone at this beautiful tourist spot which says that Thasiama Seno Neihna was inaugurated by Rooney Lalrinawma Ralte, project director, DRDA, Champhai on 15.6.2003. As is the case with most of the major natural wonders of Mizoram, there is a legend associated with Thasiama Seno Neihna as well.

  2. THE 5 BEST Places to Visit in Champhai (UPDATED 2024)

    The rivers, peaks, plains and the lakes are the treasures of Mizoram. It is full of high ranges running from north to... 3. Mura Puk. 1. Caverns & Caves. By savio_pinto12. Other gem to visit near champhai district is mura puk. There are six caves which are situated at this site.

  3. Champhai Tourism (2024)

    Champhai has a number of tourist attractions mostly including natural settings. These include a cave called the Kungawrhi Puk, a river called Tiau Lui, Lianchhiari Lunglen Tlang and a few more. Rih Dil Lake is another famous natural attraction known to Champhai and the state of Mizoram. Adventure enthusiast can indulge in some trekking at the ...

  4. Champhai Tourism (Mizoram) (2024)

    Champhai offers a blend of exquisite natural beauty and historical significance. It is home to ancient relics, monuments, and memorials that narrate stories of past heroes and legendary tales. A significant landmark is the Murlen National Park, which is rich in flora and fauna, offering a sanctuary for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers.

  5. Places to Visit in Champhai: Tourist Places in Champhai, Champhai

    Champhai Travel Guide : Know Tourist Places to Visit in Champhai, Best Time to Visit, Attractions, Nearby Places to visit, Sightseeing, Weekend Getaways, Things to Do and How to Reach. Take a look.

  6. Champhai

    Champhai, a bustling commercial town at the Indo-Myanmar border is a beautiful place that offers plenty of tourist attractions. Besides its breathtaking beauty, Champhai is a store house of ancient relics, monuments and memorials of legends and folk lore. Located 192 kms from Aizawl at an elevation of 1678 mts, Champhai is also fast emerging as ...

  7. Champhai

    Champhai enjoys a salubrious climate and one of the best spots to visit is the picturesque Champhai valley that is also known as the Rice Bowl of Mizoram. It lies at a distance of about 192 km from Aizawl, the capital of the state. ... varied flora and fauna. The country is the most preferred tourist destinations for tourists from all across ...

  8. THE 5 BEST Things to Do in Champhai

    Things to Do in Champhai, India: See Tripadvisor's 7 traveler reviews and photos of Champhai tourist attractions. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in May. We have reviews of the best places to see in Champhai. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions.

  9. Rih Dil, the Heart-Shaped Lake and Champhai Travel Guide

    The tourist lodges in Mizoram are usually quite good and clean having proper service. It was in Champhai Tourist Lodge that we found that the service faltered a bit. The cleanliness also could have been improved. Nevertheless, it was a satisfactory stay. We got a double bedroom for Rs600 and the cottages were only for Rs1000.

  10. 5 BEST Places to Visit in Champhai District (UPDATED 2024)

    Murlen National Park is located 245 kilometers away from Aizawl lying close to the Indo - Myanmar border in Champhai district. The area is protected and preserved by the state government and is the home for precious and endangered faunal population of Tiger, Leopard, Himalayan Black Bear, Serrow, Hollock Gibbon, Sanbar, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Peacock Pheasant, Hill Myana and many varieties ...

  11. Champhai

    Champhai, a bustling commercial town at the Indo - Myanmar border, is a beautiful place that offers plenty of tourist attractions. Besides its breath-taking beauty, Champhai is a store house of ancient relics, monuments, legends, and folklore. It is also considered as the fast-emerging 'fruit bowl' of Mizoram.

  12. Champai: The Rice Bowl of Mizoram and a Gateway to Myanmar

    Champai is a district and a town in Mizoram that offers a unique and offbeat experience to the visitors. It is a place where you can witness the blend of nature, culture, and history, and explore the attractions such as Rih Dil lake, Murlen National Park, Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary, and Thasiama Seno Neihna. Champai is also a place where you can connect with Myanmar and learn more about the ...

  13. Champhai Valley Tourism (Champhai) (2024)

    Champhai Valley, situated in the northeastern Indian state of Mizoram, is a picturesque destination that offers stunning views of the surrounding hills and the lush landscapes typical of the region. Nestled close to the Myanmar border, Champhai is a vibrant town that serves as a commercial hub and cultural center for the region.

  14. Champhai- The Rice Bowl of Mizoram » Discover Northeast India

    Champhai has a number of tourist attractions, the majority of which are in natural settings. These include the Kungawrhi Puk cave, the Tiau Lui river, Lianchhiari Lunglen Tlang, and a few others. Rih Dil Lake is another well-known natural attraction in Champhai and Mizoram. Trekking enthusiasts can go to the Thasiama Seno Neihna, which is about ...

  15. Tourism in Mizoram

    To book the Tourist Lodges, simply make a call and inform them about your requirement. They usually take up booking on the phone. If by any chance, you are not visiting, please inform them that also. Phone number of some Tourist Lodges run by Mizoram Tourism. Chaltlang T/L (Aizawl) : (0389) 2341083/ 2349421; Champhai T/L : (03831) 235866/ ...

  16. Champhai

    Champhai is the third largest town in Mizoram, northeast India and is one of the oldest settlements founded by the Mizo people, that initially served as a capital for the Hmar dynasty. Located near the India-Myanmar border facilitates cross-border trade, it serves as a hub for trade and commerce in the region.. Unlike most urban places in Mizoram, Champhai is situated in a valley and on top ...

  17. Champhai : History, Sightseeing, How To Reach & Best Time To Visit

    Champhai is quite an interesting place to travel, especially, if you are looking forward to discovering something unheard and unseen before. It is located at a distance of 2,550, 3,396,1,651, 3,597 km from Delhi , Mumbai , Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively.

  18. Places of Interest

    This space highlights the tourist places to visit in the district. It also displays the information such as description, how to reach, where to stay, packages and other activities at tourist place. ... Located at Vaphai, a village about 86 kms. Away from Champhai, and a visit to this site is a thrilling experience. According to legend the ...

  19. Champhai Tourism, Hill Station, Wildlife, Places

    Champhai Tourism Places, Travel Guide, Sightseeing, Holidays Tours, Hotels and Packages. Tourist attractions in Champhai with Images and Reviews. Best things to do in Champhai, Mizoram.

  20. THE 5 BEST Things to Do in Champhai

    Top Things to Do in Champhai, India - Champhai Must-See Attractions. We perform checks on reviews. 1. Lamsial Puk. The war took the lives of hundreds of warriors. Historical evidences of this gruesome war are also present. The caves... 2. Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary.

  21. SWADESH DARSHAN

    Glimpse of Champhai Champhai, a bustling commercial town at the Indo-Myanmar border is a beautiful place that offers plenty of tourist attractions. Besides its breathtaking beauty, Champhai is a store house of ancient relics, monuments and memorials of legends and folk lore. Located 180.9 kms via NH-6 from Aizawl at an elevation of 1678 mts, […]

  22. Tourism in Mizoram

    Sakawrhmuituai is a tourist spot about 21.7 km from Aizawl, Mizoram, India. With an elevation of 1,535 metres. Lakes Palak Dil. Palak dïl (lit. ... Murlen National Park is a national park located in the Champhai district Mizoram in India. The size of the park area is 200 km 2. The park is situated about 245 km east of Aizawl, ...

  23. Mizoram Tourism

    Welcome to Mizoram. Mizoram is sprawled across 21,087 sq kilometres and shares a border with Bangladesh to the west and Myanmar to the east and south. Given that it has an international boundary of 722 kilometers, the state's location is of great strategic importance. It boasts about 21 hill ranges with an average height of 12,00 metres above ...