To experience the beauty of Kohima, you will have to go to places ranging from historical places to natural views and glimpses of tribal culture.
Table of Contents
1. Places To Visit in Kohima
Kohima: Confluence of history, nature and culture
Kohima, the capital of the beautiful state of Nagaland in North-East India, is a wonderful confluence of natural beauty, rich history and vibrant tribal culture. If you are planning to travel, then Kohima can prove to be a great option for you. Come, today let us tell you about some of the major tourist places of Kohima:
1.1 Historical sites:
Kohima War Cemetery: This cemetery, built in the memory of the soldiers martyred in the Battle of Kohima between Japan and the Allies during World War II, is a must-see place for history lovers. The peaceful atmosphere and the monuments built here will help you understand the horrors of that war.
Kisama Fort: Located about 12 kilometers away from Kohima, Kisama Fort was built by the people of Angami tribe. Although now this fort has been turned into ruins, but it is a symbol of bravery and valor.
1.2 Natural Attractions:
Japfu Peak: Japfu , located about 30 km from Kohima, is a paradise for trekking and nature lovers. From here you can enjoy picturesque mountain views. In winter, these hills get covered with fog, which creates a different view.
Shilloi Lake: Located about 12 kilometers from Kohima, this beautiful lake is an ideal place for a picnic. Here you can enjoy boating or sit on the banks of the lake and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
1.3 Cultural sites:
Naga Heritage Village: Naga Heritage Village, located in Kohima, showcases the culture and lifestyle of various tribal castes of Nagaland. Here you can see traditional houses, buy handloom products and even watch tribal dance performances.
Kohima Cathedral: Kohima Cathedral is a major religious place in the city. This cathedral is part of the Roman Catholic Church and people come from far and wide to see its beautiful architecture.
1.4 Museums and Galleries:
Kohima State Museum: Kohima State Museum has a collection of objects related to the history, art and culture of Nagaland. Here you can see tribal weapons, clothes, jewelry and craft artefacts.
Government Art Gallery (Rajkiya Kala Dirgha): Paintings and sculptures made by local artists are displayed in the Government Art Gallery. If you are fond of art, then definitely visit this place.
2. Things to Do in Kohima
A unique journey of adventure and culture in Kohima
The beauty of Kohima is not limited to just sightseeing, there is a lot to do here too. So today let us tell you about some fun activities in Kohima, which will make your trip memorable:
2.1 Trekking and Hiking:
The hills of Nagaland are no less than a paradise for trekking and hiking lovers. Japfu 峰 is located at a short distance from Kohima, where you can enjoy exciting trekking. Seeing the fog covered hills from above will be an unforgettable experience for you. Apart from this, Dijphu Gorge is also a great option for trekking.
2.2 Wildlife Viewing:
Do you like seeing wild animals in their natural habitat? Then Kohima can be a good option for you. In Intaki National Park, located about 80 kilometers from here, you can see elephants, rhinos, hornbills and many types of birds.
2.3 Shopping and Market:
If you have come to visit Kohima, then shopping is a must! Here you will find beautiful Naga handloom clothes, bamboo handicrafts, jewelery and sculptures. You will get all kinds of things at cheap prices in Kohima Market and Ladies Market. The special thing is that here you can also bargain with the shopkeepers, which is a different experience in itself!
2.4 Cultural Experience:
The real beauty of Kohima lies in its tribal culture. It is really interesting to see the traditional clothes, food and way of living of the castes like Angami, Lotha, and Rengma living here. During the Hornbill Festival you can see the performance of folk dances, music and art of all these castes. Even if you miss this festival, there is no need to worry. There are many such villages in Kohima, where you can meet the people of the tribal community and know their culture closely.
Kohima is a special place full of natural beauty, exciting activities and rich culture. So next time you plan to visit a hill station, definitely include Kohima. You will remember this journey for the rest of your life!
3. How to Reach Kohima
Kohima: ways to reach the city of dreams
You have read about the beauty of Kohima, but it is also important to know how to find a way to reach there. So, today let us tell you about the different ways to reach Kohima:
3.1 By air:
Kohima does not have its own airport, but the nearest airport is Dimapur Airport (DMU), which is located about 65 kilometers away. Regular flights are available to Dimapur from major cities like Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati and Imphal. You can easily take prepaid taxis or cabs from Dimapur Airport to Kohima.
3.2 By Train:
If you want to enjoy the journey, then going to Kohima by train is also a good option. Kohima does not have its own railway station, but the nearest railway station is Dimapur. Trains run to Dimapur from Guwahati, Delhi, Kolkata and other major cities. You can take taxis or buses from Dimapur to Kohima.
3.3 By Road:
Kohima is also well connected by road. If you are fond of road travel, then you can travel to Kohima in your car. National Highway NH 31 connects Kohima to Guwahati and Dimapur. You will get to see beautiful hills and greenery on the way. Apart from this, government and private buses also run from many cities to Kohima.
To reach Kohima, you can choose any option by plane, train or road. Along with introducing you to the beauty of Kohima, this route will also make you see the beautiful views along the way.
4. Best Time to Visit Kohima
The beauty of Kohima is unique in every season, but all three seasons have their own advantages and disadvantages in terms of visiting:
Garmiyan – Summers – March to June:
Pleasant weather: The weather of Kohima is quite pleasant in summer. Neither too hot, nor too cold. This weather is perfect for traveling and outdoor activities.
Unseasonal rain: However, sometimes unseasonal rain can occur, which can spoil your plans.
Overcrowding: Summer is also the tourist season, so hotels and tourist places may be a little crowded.
Monsoon (July to September):
Natural Beauty: During monsoon, the hills of Kohima are covered in green sheets. Greenery is visible everywhere.
Land subsidence: The ground may become a little slippery due to rain, so be careful.
Danger of landslides: Sometimes there is a danger of landslides due to heavy rains, due to which roads can be closed.
Winters (Sardiyan – November to February):
Pleasant Weather: The weather of Kohima is quite pleasant in winter. The sky remains clear and there is mild winter.
Hornbill Festival: If you visit Kohima in December, you can enjoy the Hornbill Festival. This is a colorful celebration of tribal culture.
Fog: There is a lot of fog in the morning in winter, which may reduce visibility for some time.
So overall, the best time to visit Kohima is considered to be between October to May. During this period the weather remains pleasant and there is no problem in travelling. But if you want to see beautiful views of rain, you can go during monsoon also, you just have to be a little careful.
5. Kohima Tourism History
History of Kohima Tourism: A journey from past to present
Even though Kohima is a beautiful hill station attracting tourists today, its tourism history is not very old. In fact, Kohima’s real identity has been as a historical city.
The Battle of Kohima during World War II put this city on the world map. The Kohima War Cemetery, built in the memory of the soldiers martyred here after the war, attracts history lovers.
But even after this, for years Kohima remained behind in terms of tourism. One reason for this was the limited means to go here. There was neither any major airport nor railway station.
The real change came in the 1990s, when the peace accord was signed in Nagaland. After this the state government took several steps to promote tourism. Road and transport systems were strengthened. Besides, hotels and resorts also developed in Kohima.
Gradually Kohima’s natural beauty, rich tribal culture and historical importance started attracting people towards it. The Tourism Department also started many programs to attract foreign tourists.
Today Kohima has become a major tourist destination of North-East India. Every year thousands of tourists come here to enjoy the natural beauty, participate in exciting activities and know the tribal culture closely.
The Hornbill Festival, which is held every year in December, has become a major attraction of Kohima tourism. The culture, art, dance and music of Naga tribal communities are showcased in this festival.
This is a small glimpse of the history of Kohima tourism. It is certain that this city will attract even more tourists in the future!
6. FAQs about Kohima
6.1 Weather and climate:
The beauty of Kohima is worth seeing in every season, but it is important to pack clothes according to the weather.
Summer (March to June): The weather remains pleasant. Take light cotton shirts and pants with you. Don’t forget to keep rain gear too.
Monsoon (July to September): It rains often. Keep raincoat and umbrella with you. Wear shoes which have good grip.
Winter (November to February): Mild winter occurs. Keep woolen clothes, jacket and hat with you. There is a possibility of fog in the morning.
6.2 Security and Salute:
Kohima is considered a safe city. Still, some precautions should be taken while traveling:
Avoid walking alone at night.
Always keep valuable items with you.
Make sure that the taxi runs on a meter.
It is better to take a local guide along while going trekking.
6.3 Local customs and etiquette:
The tribal culture of Nagaland is very rich. Keep these things in mind while visiting here:
Respect the culture of the local people.
Be sure to seek permission before taking someone’s photo.
Remain calm in temples and places of worship.
It feels good to roam around wearing traditional clothes, but avoid wearing too revealing clothes.
Before going to visit Kohima, these were some important things, which would be beneficial for you to know.