Mizoram, with its emerald hills and misty skies, remains one of India’s most enchanting yet lesser-explored states. My recent journey from Aizawl to Champhai was not just a travel experience — it was a soul-soothing passage through nature, culture, and simplicity.

Aizawl — The Heart of Mizoram

My journey began in Aizawl, the capital city perched high in the Lushai Hills. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by how the city clings gracefully to steep slopes, its houses stacked like Lego blocks amidst the clouds. The Mizoram State Museum, the bustling markets at Bara Bazaar, and the serene Solomon’s Temple offered glimpses into both the modern and spiritual heartbeat of Mizoram.

The evenings in Aizawl have their own rhythm — golden light spilling over the rolling hills, locals sipping tea at rooftop cafés, and the hum of traffic below. The city, though compact, feels like a sanctuary in the sky.

 

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Aizawl to Champhai





















































The Road to Champhai

The journey covers roughly 190 kilometres, but it’s not about the distance — it’s about the discovery. The winding road passes through dense forests, sleepy villages, and countless viewpoints that make you want to stop everything for a few minutes.

Each turn reveals another layer of Mizoram’s beauty — hills draped in clouds, valleys carpeted with bamboo, and streams flowing like silver ribbons. I stopped at Seling and Thingsulthliah, tiny settlements that seemed frozen in time. The locals were welcoming, always ready with a smile or a curious question about where I was headed.

What stands out most on this road is the sense of calm — no blaring horns, no rush. Just the gentle hum of the wind and the song of unseen birds.

I was lucky to spot many rainbows along the way — one after another, just rainbows. I managed to capture some amazing shots; it was breathtaking. There were beautiful flowers on the way to Champhai, all yellow and purple in colour. I even got myself photographed beside the “I Love Mizoram” sign.

It rained occasionally, and the entire atmosphere felt like heaven. We drove through mountain roads and narrow passages, surrounded by dense forests and towering trees. For lunch, we stopped at a roadside stall that served a typical Mizo meal. The restaurant was called Chawate A Awm E, a name in the local Mizo language. They served beef rolls and beef with rice, which I enjoyed thoroughly. Although I am a Hindu, I pretty much eat everything — I believe that as a traveller, one should be ready to eat anything and be open to sleeping anywhere in the world. One has to be flexible.

Champhai — The Rice Bowl and Border Town

As the sun dipped behind the hills, I reached Champhai, often called the Rice Bowl of Mizoram. The landscape opened up into a vast plain — a rare sight in this otherwise mountainous state. Golden paddy fields stretched endlessly, kissed by the evening light.

Champhai sits near the Myanmar border, giving it a unique cultural flavour. The influence of cross-border trade and Mizo traditions blend beautifully here. A short drive took me to Rih Dil, a heart-shaped lake located just across the border in Myanmar, yet revered deeply by the Mizo people. Standing there, I felt as if time itself had slowed down.

People, Culture, and Simplicity

Throughout my journey, what touched me most was the hospitality of the Mizo people. Whether it was sharing tea with a family in a bamboo house or chasing rainbows down the road, I felt a strong sense of community.

Travelling from Aizawl to Champhai isn’t just a scenic drive — it’s a journey into a greater world. The hills, the mist, and the quiet dignity of the people here are truly touching. This was a journey that left a mark on me, and now I was really getting soaked into the mist and rain of this fabulous state.