World War II Cemetery
The Kohima War Cemetery located in the center of Kohima city, is a memorial dedicated to soldiers of the 2nd British Division of the Allied Forces who died in the Second World War in April 1944 fighting the Japanese invasion. The soldiers died on the battleground of Garrison Hill in the tennis court area of the Deputy Commissioner’s residence. The cemetery is sited at the exact location where the battle was fought, and provides a panoramic view of Kohima. The cemetery is set in peaceful surroundings and is very well maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
At the lower part of the cemetery, a bronze plate carries an epitaph which reads:
“When you go home tell them of us and say for your tomorrow we gave our today”
Dzukou Valley
The enchanting Dzukou valley with its emerald green rolling hills, interspersed by gentle flowing stream, is tucked away at an altitude of 2,438.4 metres. It is about 30 km south of Kohima. It is a trekker’s delight. Though Dzükou is known for its bio-diversity the predominant plant is the tough bamboo brush. It looks likes a fully mown lawn from afar.
This valley is well known for its natural environment, seasonal flowers, flora and fauna. The enchanted valley will leave you mesmerised with its scenic beauty. The North Eastern Valley of Flowers is a sight to behold and a trekker’s delight.
Khonoma Green Village
Khonoma ‘Green Village’ is a Rs. 3 crore project sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and the department of Tourism, Government of Nagaland. Since its inauguration by Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on 25th October 2005 it has become a model for all villages in Nagaland and other states to follow. Khonoma, one of the oldest Angami Villages has shown the way for others to follow.This Village lies 20 km west of Kohima . The beautiful terraces which are carved out of the hill slopes surrounding the village are a sight to behold. These terraces grow over 40 types of paddy at different elevation. The Khonoma people fought a series of battles with the British intruders and finally in the famous battle of Khonama in 1879 thier resistance fell and they made peace with the British. The Blyth’s Tragopan, an endangered pheseant of the state is protected by the Khonoma Nature Conservation and Tragopan Sanctuary. This sanctuary which covers an area of over 30 sq km now comes under Khonoma Green Village Project.
Japfu Peak
This is the second highest peak in Nagaland and stands 3048 metres above sea level. It is about 15 kms south of Kohima. The best seasons for climbing this mountain are from November to March. In the Japfu range, one can find the tallest Rhododendron tree, which is featured in the Guinness Book of world records. It is over 109 ft tall and the girth at the best measure more than 11 ft. it is a thrill to experience the sunrise from the hump of Japfu peak in November.
Kisama Heritage Village
Kisama is 12km from Kohima on the National Highway number 39. The gentle slope at the base of a steep mountain peak is the venue for the famed Hornbill Festival.The Heritage Village is designed in the form of an ancient Naga village to give an authentic feel of a true Naga village and the experience of traveling back in time.
The Hornbill Festival is a major event that take place within the confines of this heritage village . It is a yearly feature held from 1 to 7 December, where a visitor gets an opportunity to get a ring side view of the richness and uniqueness of the Naga heritage, Its people and culture.
Tuophema Tourist Village
This village which is 41 km from Kohima is chosen by the Tourism Department for the promotion of the common Angami Sekrenyi festival celebration during February 25-27 every year. Sekrenyi is a festival of purification and revolves around rituals and ceremonies of cleansing the village well. It is believed that the purified water washes away the diseases and misfortunes. Thereafter begins the celebration of the festival, which includes singing, dancing and feasting throughout the day. The village has a conserved area where one can trek and get an exhilarating experience.
Tseminyu
This town, which is the ancient migration route of many Naga tribes heading northwards looking for new settlements and cultivation grounds, is the home of the Rengmas. Old sites of abandoned villages with the remains of graveyards, gravestones, broken pottery etc still tell the ancient tales of the people that inhabited this town over the centuries. This offer perfect sites for archaeological tourism and preservation, but time is running out for such activities because every cycle of Jhum (Terrace) cultivation exterminates a slice of this ancient heritage.
Dzulekie
Mithun (Bos Frontalis) or Bison has been the witness of the Naga Culture and civilization over the centuries. From embellishing headdresses to house walls, from being domesticated to being hunted, these magnificent animals have found their way to being dubbed as the State Animal of Nagaland. The hilly terrain of Dzulekie, located 40 km west of Kohima at a height of 2133.6 m, is dotted with these animals peacefully grazing on the wayside and the fields. The stream that cuts through this terrain provides habitat to a rare species of Rainbow Trout.