History

The capital of Mizoram state in India is Aizawl. Aizawl is the largest city of Mizoram with population of 291,822. All important government offices, state assembly house and civil secretariat are situated in Aizawl. The population consistsof different communities of the special Mizo people.

In the year 1890, Colonel Skinner’s troops were involved in a British military operation against the tribal. At that time Officer Daily of the Assam Police and his 400 men arrived at present Aizawl to support the troops. Order was passed to Colonel Skinner to build a fortified post at Aizawl.

The troops built enclosures and houses at the site.

A tribal revolt took place in 1890 at Aizawl.  It occurred from 9 to 28 September.  Robert McCabe, Deputy Commissioner of the Lakhimpur district, re-established order and made it possible for 15 tribal chiefs to surrender. There was another uprising in the year 1982 and it was also suppressed by McCabe.

Later Aizawl became the headquarters of the first Assam Rifles (AR). In March 1966 Mizo National Front revolt took place. At that time the city was under the control of Mizo National Front (MNF) members and the AR headquarters was surrounded by them. The Indian Air Force fought with them and thus they moved away.

How To Reach

Air

Aizawl is well connected through air. The nearest airport is Lengpui which is very near to Aizawl. The airport is well connected with Kolkata (Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International) Airport, Guwahati Airport and Imphal Airport. The three airlines which operate daily flights to and from Lengpui Airport are Air India, Kingfisher Airlines and Jet Airways.

Rail

Railway services are available in Mizoram up to Bairabi. Plans are there to connect Bairabi with Sairang through Broad Gaurge Railway Track, near Aizawl.

Road

Aizawl is well connected with Silchar through National Highway 54, with Agartala through National Highway 40. National Highway 150 connects Aizawl with Imphal. Taxi services are there in Aizawl- yellow and white taxis are found.  Maruti taxis are also used.

Location Map

Places To Visit

Luangmual Handicrafts Centre

Luangmual Handicrafts Centre is a place which one must visit at Aizawl.  People can travel the distance of 7 km by car. Waterproof “hnahthial” leaves are used to make “Khumbea” ceremonial bamboo hats. These hats are the special items of Luangmual Handicrafts Centre.

Mizoram State Museum

Mizoram State Museum is situated at Mc Donald Hill which is at the center of the town. It reveals an interesting collection of historical objects, ancient dresses and traditional instruments.

Durtlang Hills

From Durtlang Hills, one can get a beautiful view of Aizawl. The beautiful spot will definitely attract visitors.

Berawtlang Tourist Complex

Berawtlang Tourist complex is located 7km away from Aizawl city center. Restaurant facilities are available here. There are also tourist cottages nearby.

Weather And Best Time To Visit

Summer

Max - 30 deg C; Min - 20 deg C

Winter

Max - 21 deg C; Min - 11 deg C

Rainfall

3,000 m.

The Best time to Visit Aizawl is Novembers to March.

Language And Culture

Mizos are mainly Christians and the majority of them are English-speaking. The literacy growth is very high which is 87% and it is the second highest in India.

Unlike most Indian women wearing sarees, ghagras, salwar kameez etc., Mizo women wear Puan which is very colourful.

People living in Aizawl mostly speak Mizo, English and Hindi.

Video

Accommodation

Aizawl offers lodgings which are quite cheap. There are some good hotels like Hotel Ritz, Hotel Chef, Hotel Royale and Ahimsa.  Apart from these there are options like Tourist Lodge Chaltlang, Tourist Home Luangmual, Tourist Lodge Lengpui, Berawtlang Tourist Recreation center etc. There are dormitory accommodations available also.

Tourist Lodge

Chaltlang, Aizawl, India

Kolasib Tourist Lodge

Colasib, Aizawl, Aizawl 796081, India

Festivals And Activities

Opportunity is there around Aizawl for adventure activities and trekking.

Phawangpui or Blue Mountain offers some great trekking tracks for the visitors. People can enjoy the beauty of the blue hills and valleys.

Chapchar Kut

Chapchar Kut is a festival where fields and jungles are cleared and cleaned. The next sowing process begins. It is celebrated in the months of February-March.

Pawl Kut

Pawl Hut is a harvest festival which is celebrated in December.

Mim Kut

Mim Kut  is another harvest festival where homage and thanks giving are paid to ancestors. It is celebrated during September.

Christmas and New Years’ Day are some other festivals which are also celebrated.

Hotels

Ritz Hotel

Dawrpui, Aizawl 796001, India

Royale, Hotel

Bara Bazar, Aizawl, Aizawl 796001, India

Chawlhna Hotel

Zarkawt, Aizawl, India

Imperial Hotel

Zarkawt, Aizawl, India

Tropicana Hotel

Near Shumkuma Point, Zarkawt, Aizawl Dist. India

Ahimsa Hotel

Hazari Khot, Zarkawt, Aizwal, India

Get Around

Mizoram State Transport connects the entire State as the means of Public transportation in Mizoram termed MST. There are various bus terminuses that generally carries the operation throughout the state. The depots are located in the capital Aizawl, Lunglei, Saiha and Silchar. The facility provided by the State transport is very reasonably priced and relaxed to the community. Moreover, MST runs various types of transportation in the state as common, exclusive and mini buses also assist in support for transportation of public.

Get Out

Saiha

Saiha is treated as an angler's haven on the Chhimtuipui, where the Mizoram's greatest stream, 378 km runs from Aizawl.

Dampa

Dampa is situated in Western Phaileng region and is 127 km away from Aizawl. It is better ‎to publicize the govt villa well in progress. You need permit from the forest official ‎staying in Western Phaileng to get into the Dampa naturalenvironment. This can also be acquired from naturalenvironment‎department in Aizawl. This Refuge has different kinds of wildlife and creatures, like lions and ‎elephants.

Reiek

This is a very awesome position near Aizawl and is a must-see. If you seek the services of a complete cab (Maruti 800/ Alto), it ‎would price you about Rs. 1300-1400. A employed non AC little car (you never need an AC car in ‎Mizoram!) like Chariot R, Indica, Santro etc., will price you roughly Rs. 1800/-‎

Shopping

Bara Bazaar

garments, cosmetics, shoes, vegetable and poultry.

Zohanco In Zarkawt

Handicraft items, shawls, puan, bags and home furnishing materials.

MKVI, Sales Emporium In Zarkawt

Bamboo worked handicrafts, bamboo baskets and all kinds’ bamboo items.

Solomon’s Cave

Imported garments, cosmetics and shoes.

Luangmual Handicrafts Centre

Handicraft items and the specially made 'Khumbeu'hat.

Photo Gallary