Champhai: Small Wonders

This green valley in Mizoram is nature's playground

The scenic  Champhai Valley bathed in greenery
Champhai: Small Wonders
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Champhai District is small, yet magically beautiful with its pristine valleys resplendent in a carpet of rhododendrons and well-maintained vineyards, passion-fruit orchards and kiwifruit plantations around the settlements soaring over smaller hills. Its picturesque hills turn greener as one heads higher, towards the Myanmar border. With River Taui flowing nearby and the fabulous view the rolling Letha mountain ranges present, Champhai promises stunning views of the hills in Myanmar – reason why it is called the most attractive place in the state. The untouched beauty of this place makes it a great destination for a perfect summer getaway.

Saitual town, located on the road to Champhai serves as a good stop-over, though Champhai itself is a good base for trekking and camping especially during spring.

AROUND CHAMPHAI

Champhai is 27km from Zokhawthar, the border township through which the Indo-Myanmar trade is conducted. Hence, shopping can be a rewarding experience here.

The Murlen National Park, known for hoolock gibbon, is also nearby. The Lengteng Wildlife Sanctuary near Murlen National Park abounds in flora and fauna and one can spot tiger, leopard, sambar, goral and serow here. Five kilometres away from Champhai is the Ruantlang village where glimpses of the ancestral way of life of the Mizos can still be seen. Close by is the Rih Dil lake (situated in Myanmar), which is closely associated to Mizo culture. The many myths about this lake have been a source of inspiration for several Mizo writers and music composers.

The scenic  Champhai Valley bathed in greenery
The scenic  Champhai Valley bathed in greenery
Courtesy Mizoram Tourism

Visit Hnahlan, a small village in Champhai District, which is famous for its production of grapes and grape wine called Zawlaidi (meaning the love potion). About 80 per cent of the families at Hnahlan are grape growers, and cultivations here are done under the aegis of Hnahlan Grape Growers Society. For the adventurous tourists, caving can be done at Tluangtea Puk, located near Kawlkulh village in Champhai District.

This is the second longest cave in Mizoram with a length of 119m, and its vertical range is 19m deep. The cave site can be reached by driving for a few minutes along the road towards Pawlrang and also by trekking for about 12 long hours on various overgrown footpaths and faint jungle trails. However, the cave is most likely to be accessible only in the dry season as there is great chance of it being filled during the rainy season.

Many natural caves in Mizoram originate from mass dislocation by gravitation or tectonic forces.

WHERE TO STAY AND EAT

Tourist Lodge (Cell: 09436143518; Tariff: ₹600–1,000) at Champhai is the best place available. You may also opt to stay at Forest Rest House (Cell: 09436156252; Tariff: ₹100–150). There are three rooms on offer, and they are decent options for stay.

THE INFORMATION

When to go September to May

Tourist/ Permit Offices

Director, Directorate of Tourism, Aizawl, Mizoram, Tel: 0389-2335690, 2335677

GETTING THERE

State Mizoram

Location In eastern Mizoram, bordering Myanmar

Distance 194km SE of Aizawl

Route from Aizawl NH54 to Aizawl-Seling-Champhai Road

To Aizawl & Champhai

Road NH37 and NH40 from Guwahati to Shillong; from Shillong take NH44 to Silchar via Jowai. From Silchar drive straight down NH54 to Champhai via Sonaimukh, Kolasib and Mualvum Taxi You can hire a taxi (Sumo) from Aizawl to Champhai