Kohima

The people are very friendly and warm hearted. It had a population of 115,000 in 2011.

The name Kohima was chosen by the British as they could not pronounce the Angami name of Kewhi–ra (Tenyidie for "the land where the flower ‘Kewhi’ grows"). It is named after the wild flowering plant ‘Kewhi’, found in the mountains. Most local people prefer to use ‘Kewhi–ra’.

Most visitors to Kohima arrive by land from Dimapur. Expect the weather to get much cooler along the way, since Dimapur is on the tropical plain, and Kohima is higher in the mountains.

Walking is the best way to feel the pulse of the capital.

• Bara Basti. Supposedly the second largest village in Asia. See the traditional Angami way of life. 
• 🌍 Catholic Church on Aradhurah Hill (Cathedral Church). Located near the Little Flower School. This is the biggest church of its kind in the predominantly Christian north-eastern region of India. The view of the town from this church is outstanding. 
• The Deputy Commissioner's Bungalow. For over a month, Japanese troops battled British and Indian troops at this small bungalow in Kohima. The battle, known as the Battle of the Tennis Court, was the turning point in the fight against Japan and the bungalow still stands in this state capital. The Tennis Courts are now a part of the Kohima War Cemetery. 
• 🌍 Nagaland State Museum (Kohima Museum). Though information is somewhat limited, the museum has nice displays and some rare Naga artifacts and archaeological finds; as of April 2019, there is a very interesting photo exhibition and models of traditional sports equipment. There are also a few statues and a tank turret outside. ₹10, ₹50 for photography (you may be asked to pay both on entry). (updated Apr 2019)
• 🌍 Kohima War Cemetery, Garrison Hill. The cemetery is maintained by the Commonwealth Graves Commission for the Allied war dead. The cemetery lies on the slopes of Garrison Hill, in what was once the Deputy Commissioner's tennis court, which was the scene of intense fighting known as the "Battle of the Tennis Court". 
• Kohima Zoo. You can see the rare Tragopan bird, the state bird of Nagaland and the Mithun, the state animal. 
• Naga Bazaar. You can find nearly anything that is living and moving here on sale. Nagas have a wide-ranging cuisine encompassing the entire spectrum of living things. 

While you are visiting Kohima, you can go for a picnic/trekking in the forest. There are rivers where you can picnic and the forest are really beautiful. You can find different varieties of orchids which you will never find anywhere else in the world. Whether it is during winter or spring, the sight of the forest is breathtaking.

• Trek to the beautiful Dzüko Valley. You will never forget it your entire life. It's a valley at the top of the mountains that you can only reach by walking trail, including a portion of steep climbing through the forest. What is amazing is that you will find rivers and waterfalls in this valley which is situated at the top of the mountains. Make sure you carry very warm clothing for your stay there as this place is really very cold. There are three different routes, with one that can be done round-trip in a day if you're a stronger hiker, though most visitors opt to spend a night at the valley rim, either by camping with a tent or by staying in a very basic guesthouse there. Do your research in advance. The most popular entrance is from Viswema village.
• Trek to the top of Japfü peak, the 2nd highest in Nagaland, and also Pulie Badze Peak overlooking the suburb of Jotsoma. The views from atop these peaks are out of the world.
• Motorcycle ride - Kickstart Adventures, an adventure tourism firm, has pioneered motorcycle tours in Nagaland. This adventure motorbike tour covers not only popular places but also rural parts of Nagaland to experience first-hand of tribal cultures and traditions. Tours are conducted all round the year (season/off-season)
• There are several small billiards halls where men drink whiskey and hang out upstairs near the intersection north of the main bus station.

• Handknitting the famous Naga shawls from Naga women. One can find many women knitting these shawls in their verandahs. Just ask them to teach you and they would be most helpful in doing so. Nagas are among the most helpful people towards visitors.

The main occupation is agriculture and there are no big companies like call centre/BPO IT companies. However, there are the usual government jobs, banking sector, factories, etc. In any case, if you're not from Nagaland, you'll need a special permit to live and work here legally.

handicrafts, ethnic shawls, vests, artefacts from emporiums.

Second hand clothes are widely available if you need an extra jumper or waterproof jacket.

Pork, beef, mutton, chicken, dog meat and also lots of jungle animals are eaten. People are 100 percent non-vegetarian.

If you love pork you should definitely try pork cooked with fermented bamboo shoots in Naga style and if you love spicy food you should try the Naga chutney made with spicy green chillies and not to forget the spicy beef pickle made with Rajha Mircha (the world's hottest chilli).

Nagaland is officially a dry state, but if you ask the waiters you will get everything from Jack Daniels to local zutho (rice beer).

City buses (₹20) run to the centre during daylight hours.

The centre, war cemetery, and bazaar area are all within walking distance.

If you are visiting Kohima during winter make sure you carry warm clothing with you. The air is very cold in the morning and after 2pm.

• Go south to Imphal, the capital of Manipur. Buses and private taxis are available.
• Head off the beaten track to Tuensang, a small town deep inside Nagaland
• Drive down to Dimapur and fly out or catch a train from there.

Note that Mon District (see Nagaland article for more information), at the north end of the state, is not easily accessible via Kohima. As of May 2023, the roads through the middle of Nagaland are so bad that it's faster for buses and shared taxis to travel back down to Dimapur and through Assam, re-entering Nagaland from the north side.