Explore Kohima, the Capital City of Nagaland

The hilly capital city of Nagaland, Kohima is well-known for its ethereal environs and untouched natural beauty. With several amazing places to visit, Kohima is the land of legends and folklore. Kohima is home to the Naga and Kulkis tribes who have moulded the city into a rich tapestry of colourful cultures and heritage. Located at a height of 1500 metres above sea level, Kohima boasts of verdant forests, quaint hills, and picturesque vistas. There are several great tourist places in Kohima, which suit the interests of all kinds of visitors.

Top Places to Visit in Kohima

A common inclusion in all Nagaland tour packages, Kohima is a picturesque destination that is nestled amidst the Eastern boundaries of the Himalayas. Away from the hustle and bustle of city life, Kohima offers a peaceful and serene ambiance, which makes for a great holiday destination as well. The many amazing tourist places in Kohima have something to offer for everyone, for nature-lovers, wildlife enthusiasts, adventure seekers, and those interested in culture. So, if you are planning your next trip to Nagaland, here are the best places in Kohima that you should definitely consider visiting:

1. Kohima Museum
2. Dzukou Valley and Japfu Peak
3. Touphema Village
4. Khonoma Village
5. Shilloi Lake
6. Kohima Cathedral
7. Kohima War Cemetery
8. Mokokchung
9. Naga Heritage Village
10. Ntangki National Park

Kohima Museum

The Kohima Museum is one of the good places to visit in Kohima where you can get a glimpse into the culture and heritage of Nagaland. The northeastern state represents an amalgamation of multiple tribes, and the museum takes you closer to the lives of the tribes that live in Nagaland. The museum is a popular tourist spot in Kohima, portraying the traditions and cultures of the sixteen tribal groups of Nagaland. The Kohima Museum holds many unique artifacts related to the tribes, including colourful traditional dresses, clan motifs, and displays of the dialects, practices, and traditions.

Dzukou Valley and Japfu Peak

Among the top places to see in Kohima are the Dzukou Vally and Japfu Peak. They are good places to visit in Kohima for nature lovers and offer one of the most breathtaking landscapes for you to witness. Japfu Peak is the second-highest peak in Nagaland, standing at 3048 metres above sea level. The peak offers visitors the perfect vantage point for the most amazing views of the Dzukou Valley, which is more popularly known as the “Valley of Flowers of the East” and is a sight to behold. This is also one of the must-visit places in Kohima for trekking enthusiasts.

Touphema Village

Touphema Village, built by the Nagaland Tourism Department and the local community, sits on a green , verdant hillock in Kohima. One of the best places to visit in Kohima, Touphema Village has a number of small huts that have been built and decorated based on traditional Naga sensibilities, offering visitors an opportunity to discover the feeling od living in a tribal Naga house. Touphema Village is a top tourist spot in Kohima that is an amazing tribute to the culture and people of Nagaland and is an experience in itself. You should definitely consider adding a stay at Touphema Village during your trip to Kohima.

Khonoma Village

Another one of the top places to visit in Kohima, Khonoma Village belongs to the “Anami Naga” of Nagaland. The village is a one-of-its-kind project in India. It is a green village where hunting has been abolished in all forms in a bid to create a more sustainable ecosystem. The village stands testament to the dedication of Nagaland’s tribal groups towards conserving their natural habitat. This is one of the best tourist places in Kohima for you to visit. You will go through sloping hillocks, misty valleys, and terraced farms to reach the village which has been transformed into a conservation-based, eco-friendly village that depends on nature for food.

Shilloi Lake

Among the top tourist places in Kohima is Shilloi Lake. Located amidst the Patkai Range in Nagaland, Shilloi is a beautiful foot-shaped lake that makes for a very picturesque spot for visitors. The lake is surrounded by verdant valleys on all sides and is considered to be an important landmark by the locals of Latsum Village. It is believed that the spirit of a holy child resides at the bottom of a lake, which is also why the fresh water from the lake is used by the villagers for irrigation as well as drinking purposes. This is one of the best places to visit in Kohima for the beauty and serenity that the lake has to offer.

Kohima Cathedral

Next on your list of places to visit in Kohima should be the Kohima Cathedral, which dates back to the early days of Christianity in the state. The cathedral draws inspiration from traditional Naga architectural styles and was consecrated in 1991. Also built in the memory of those who lost their lives in the Battle of Kohima during the second world war, the construction of the Kohima Cathedral began in 1996. During your Kohima trip, the places to visit should include the cathedral as well. You will be mesmerised by not only its magnificent façade but also by the amazing views it offers of the surrounding vistas.

Kohima War Cemetery

During your Kohima trip, places to visit that you would not want to miss out on include the Kohima War Cemetery. This is one of most important tourist places in Kohima, Nagaland, with a sad origin. The beautiful site has been dedicated to the ten thousand Allied soldiers who lost their lives during the second world war during the Japanese invasion. The cemetery is well-maintained with flowers and mowed lawns. On eighteen plots of the cemetery, 1421 slabs have been elected in memory of the soldiers who lost their lives in the Battle of Kohima. The soldiers were from Japan, UK, Burma, and East and West Africa.

Mokokchung

One of the most significant urban centres and tourist places in Kohima, Nagaland, Mokokchung is home to the “Ao Naga”. With more destinations for you to include in your Kohima trip, the places to visit in Mokokchung include Langpangkong, Longkhum, Chuchuyimlang, and Mopungchukit, which are all located within the district. Agriculture is the main occupation of the area, which makes it a good idea to visit during sowing and harvesting, when you can enjoy the many festivals of Kohima.

Naga Heritage Village

Another of the top tourist places in Kohima, Nagaland, s the Naga Heritage Village, which is located in the outskirts of the city. There are several reasons why you should include the village in your list of places to visit in Kohima. The village preserves and promotes the traditions and culture of the Naga people. The village was built by the government to showcase the livelihoods and values of the tribes of Nagaland and to imitate life in a traditional Naga village. If the Naga Heritage Village is on your list of places to see in Kohima, you should know that the village is opened for visitors only for a week in December, during the Hornbill Festival.

Ntangki National Park

Ntangki National Park, also known as the Intanki National Park, is another of the great places to visit in Kohima. Designated as a national park in 1993, it was first established in 1923 by the British. The park is one of the best places to see in Kohima for everyone. Covering an area of 200 square kilometres, Ntangki is considered to be one of the best national parks in the northeast. The park has thick rainforests that create the perfect habitat for a number of reptiles, birds, and mammals. This is one of the best tourist paces in Kohima for a camping and other adventure activities.

There are so many must-visit places in Kohima that you will be spoilt for choice. Make sure you check out the best of Kohima tour packages, to find the one that covers all the top destinations you want to explore.