Tuensang
Tuensang is one of the major districts of Nagaland in the North-Eastern India.
Understand
Tuensang has some of the most undiscovered beauty in Nagaland. Mount Saramati, which is the highest mountain in Nagaland, is located in Tuensang district.
Tuensang is home to four major tribes: the Yimchunger, Chang, Sangtam and Khiamniungan.
Get in
By bus or by private cars or hired taxis. To get to Tuensang Town one has to first reach Dimapur, which is the only city in Nagaland connected with railways and airlines.
By car
Maruti van and Long Jeep are good for comfortable journeys, but be careful of the steep hills and sharp turns.
By bus
From Dimapur you have to take a bus which cost around ₹300 and takes 8hrs to reach. Government-operated buses are cheaper then private cars.
Get around
Getting around in Tuensang is very easy. Walking is the best option, as you can see the scenic beauty of the mountain range surrounding the town.
See
Tuensang Village is ancient and intact. Chingmei village is also one of the biggest villages of the Chang tribe, with beautiful views of Mount Saramati. Nature is the only thing that you will see, purely virgin forest. Going hunting and fishing with the locals is great fun.
Learn
- Learning the local dialect such as Yimchunger, Chang, Sangtam and Khiamniungan if you are eager to learn it will be very helpful, and it is very easy to learn too.
- Knitting, weaving,gardening are common among the local women and they will happily teach you if asked.
Buy
Hand made craft in various designs like spoons, plates, cups, hand woven hand bags, slangs, vest coat with traditional design, shawls and mekhalas (wrap round) and lot more exotic designs, chairs made of cane etc.etc..
Eat
There are restaurants where you will get Indian and Chinese dishes. Otherwise, you will get the authentic local dishes which are mainly cooked with local delicacies, like pork made with kidney beans and fermented soy and beef and buffalo meat.
Drink
Tuensang district is good for the scenic beauty for nature-lovers, but people who love to party will not find much entertainment, as discothèques are banned in Nagaland by a factional group. You will find virtually no alcoholic drinks, though you might find some local rice beer.
Sleep
No hotels or guest house; the only lodging is the Circuit House and Tourist Lodge set up by the state government, or else you will have to know some locals to stay in their house. People are very hospitable and kindhearted in nature.
Stay safe
There are a lot of factional clashes in and around Tuensang, so you have to be very careful, and make sure not to get into fights.
Carry warm clothing as the weather is cold year-round.
Go next
Take a bus or private car (which is costly) to Dimapur, and from there you will either find a train or flight for your onward journey.