Mizoram, the land of the Mizos or the Highlanders who belong to the Mongoloid race, exudes an exotic charm of its own. Mizoram is a mountainous state nestling in the southern tip of the north-east region of India. From the lush forests dominated by thick bamboo groves, numerous waterfalls that gush down the narrow gorges to confluence into large meandering streams in the deep valleys, dotted with unique landmarks of myriad folklores and picturesque villages of houses built on stilts, Mizoram is a land of dramatic seas of morning mists that enfold islands of hills and peaks. Aizawl is the state capital, and also the political and cultural centre of Mizoram, and is still one of the least-frequented cities in India. Mizoram has a moderate and pleasant climate throughout the year, and is an idyllic land of great natural beauty having rich variety of flora and fauna which is an added attraction to the nature lovers. To the more adventurous spirit, the rugged terrains and rivers are ideal for various outdoor sports and activities. Solomon’s Temple, Chawlhhmun, Aizawl One of the most beautiful churches was constructed by Kohhran Thianghlim, a non-denominational church founded by Dr L.B. Sailo in 1984. Intended as a re-creation of the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem, it's a white-marble square with towering facades on each of its 37-metre sides and steeples at each corner. The Temple area accommodates 2,000 people within the main hall and ten thousand people within its courtyard. The complex has a natural park covered by various forest trees to provide shade and fruits for bird and small animals. The Mizoram State Museum, Aizawl It was established in 1977 by the Tribal Research Institute and is now maintained by the Art and Culture Department. It is an ethnographic museum with multiple Mizo tribal artefacts and collections on display. There are five galleries: Textile Gallery, Ethnology, History, Anthropology, Natural History and Archaeology terrace. The collection occupies four floors. The galleries have undergone a lot of renovation under the care of Indian Museum, Kolkata. Financial assistance was also received from Victoria Memorial, Kolkata. KV Paradise, Aizawl Situated at a hilltop in Durtlang near Aizawl city, K V paradise was a monument built in the memory of Mrs Rosangpuii Varte, who died in a tragic road accident in 2001 and completed in 2006 by her husband Mr Khawlhring. It is a two-storey structure and the ground floor hosts the erected memorial, along with a huge painting of Mrs Varte, and the upper floor has a gallery where her accessories like her footwear, dresses and photographs depicting various phases of her life, including her marriage, are kept. Reiek, Mamit District The foot of the famous Reiek Peak has a tourist complex, which houses a recreation of a typical Mizo village consisting of traditional huts of the different Mizo sub-tribes: the Chief’s house, the bachelor’s dormitory etc. These traditional huts are fully furnished giving the visitor a peek into the glorious past of the valiant highlanders. This is also the venue for the annual Anthurium Festival, which is held when anthurium flowers bloom in early October. The place also offers adventure activities like high rope course, ziplining, shooting range, rock climbing gym, mountain biking, etc. Tuirihiau Falls, Thenzawl, Serchhip District On the way to Lunglei, a few minutes’ drive after Thenzawl, Tuirihiau is a beautiful waterfall located upstream of Vantawng Falls, which is the highest in Mizoram at just a minute’s walk from the main road. The uniqueness of this waterfall is that one can look from behind the cascades as it caves in behind the falls like an arc. Vantawng Falls, Thenzawl, Serchhip District Of all the waterfalls and cascades in the rough and fast-flowing rivers of Mizoram, Vantawng Khawhthla or Vantawng Falls is the highest at 750 ft and the most spectacular one, located in Vanva river near Thenzawl. The name comes from the local legend of Vantawnga, an excellent swimmer, whose spirit took the form of the waterfall after being accidentally killed in a diving feat. A viewing tower has been constructed where one can watch the falls gushing from a height between the valleys and the dense jungles surrounding the place. Thenzawl Golf Course And Resort, Serchhip District It was constructed under Ministry of Tourism’s Swadesh Darshan scheme and is owned by Tourism Department of Mizoram. One of the few golf courses in North East India, it features an 18-hole, international design 72 par golf course with automatic irrigation system. It is an eco-friendly resort; boasting a modern Convention Centre, Tourist Reception Center, Cafeteria, 30 fully furnished Eco - Log Huts, a Food Court & Watch Tower. Kawtchhuah Ropui, Vangchhia, Champhai District Kawtchhuah Ropui (literally meaning the great entranceway) is Mizoram’s first site under the protected monuments of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). It measures about 45 sq. km and has yielded pictographs on over 100 large stone slabs (menhirs), depicting human, animal and floral etchings. Remains of a necropolis and an ancient water pavilion exist, among other artefacts. The ancient dwellers also carved terraces on rocks for settlement: the main excavated site consisting of 15 such terraces. Recently, ASI has discovered neolithic caves near Vangchhia, indicating that the lost civilization could be much older than its initial estimations. Hmuifang Tourist Resort, Aizawl District Located 50 km south of Aizawl, Hmuifang mountain (1619 m) is covered with virgin forests reserved since the days of the Mizo chiefs. Hmuifang Tourist Resort, located at the scenic peak of the mountain, has been created and maintained by the Government. The resort was built on the former land of the erstwhile Mizo chief and offers an ideal getaway destination. To nature lovers, the surrounding forests abound with fascinating rare orchids and wildlife, especially avifauna. From here, one can visit the villages situated on the hillsides: Hmuifang, Sumsuih, Lamchhip and Chamring to experience the Mizo rural life. Zokhua (Mizo Typical Village), Falkawn, Aizawl District The Mizoram Government has set up a cultural centre: a typical village called Zokhua at Falkawn, 18 km from Aizawl in 1992. The centre is a mini live-museum where Zawlbuk (Dormitory), Lal In (Chief’s House), Pum (Blacksmiths) and other typical houses are erected and displayed. There are also memorial stones erected to commemorate freedom fighters like the famous Mizo warrior Taitesena.
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