7 Things to Do in Kohima, Nagaland's Hill Capital

Kohima, Nagaland's capital, sits spread across a ridge in the Naga Hills at close to 1,400 metres, considerably cooler than the plains of Assam below. It carries a significant place in Second World War history as the site of one of the war's most decisive battles, and today serves as the gateway to Naga tribal culture, from woven shawls and wood carving to a cuisine built around smoked meats and fermented bamboo shoot. Here are seven ways to spend time in and around the town.

1. Kohima War Cemetery

Maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, this terraced cemetery commemorates soldiers who died in the 1944 Battle of Kohima, a turning point in the Burma Campaign often cited by military historians as one of the decisive battles of the Second World War. The famous Kohima epitaph is inscribed on its memorial.

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2. Kisama Heritage Village

Around 12 kilometres from town, this heritage complex represents the traditional architecture of Nagaland's different Naga tribes through recreated morungs, or bachelor houses. It comes fully alive each December as the venue for the Hornbill Festival, a ten-day showcase of Naga music, dance, crafts and food that draws visitors from across India.

3. Nagaland State Museum

A compact but worthwhile stop for context before heading into the hills, with galleries covering the state's tribal artefacts, textiles and historical photographs.

4. Dzukou Valley trek

Straddling the Nagaland-Manipur border south of Kohima, this high-altitude valley is known for its seasonal wildflower blooms, most famously the Dzukou lily, and rolling, largely treeless hills reachable on a moderately demanding day or overnight trek.

5. Cathedral of Reconciliation

Built partly as a memorial to those killed on both sides during the Battle of Kohima, this hilltop cathedral is one of the largest in Northeast India and offers wide views over the town.

6. Kohima's local market

The town's main bazaar is a good place to see Naga produce and craft up close, from woven shawls to the smoked pork and bamboo shoot that define much of the local cuisine.

7. Khonoma Green Village

A short drive from Kohima, Khonoma is a terraced Angami village recognised for community-led conservation, having voluntarily turned part of its forest into a wildlife sanctuary and given up hunting practices that once defined it.

Traveller tips

• Dimapur Airport, roughly a three-hour drive away, is Nagaland's main air gateway; Kohima itself has no airport.
• An Inner Line Permit is required for Indian citizens visiting Nagaland from outside the state; it can be arranged online or on arrival at Dimapur.
• The Hornbill Festival in the first week of December is by far the busiest period; book accommodation well in advance if travelling then.
• Dzukou Valley's flowering season runs roughly from June to September; carry warm layers regardless, as the valley stays cool year-round.