Capital of the Indian state of Nagaland
Photo: The Anonymous Earthling, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kohima is the capital city of Nagaland in North-Eastern India. Nagaland, also known as the "Switzerland of Asia", is a breath-takingly beautiful place.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Supposedly the second largest village in Asia. See the traditional Angami way of life.
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.
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.
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.
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".
You can see the rare Tragopan bird, the state bird of Nagaland and the Mithun, the state animal.
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.
By plane
Dimapur Airport is 74 km from Kohima and a 2-hour drive.
By train
Kohima is not connected by train. Dimapur, on the Guwahati-Dibrugarh line, is the closest railway station, with direct rail connections to Delhi, Kolkata, Guwahati, and Chennai.
By car
By bus
By bus Kohima is connected to Imphal, Dimapur, Guwahati, Tinsukia and other major cities of North-Eastern India.
By shared taxi
This is preferred way to get from Dimapur to Kohima for many locals. Expect to be packed tightly into the car with other travelers, but at least your luggage will be stowed in back or up top.
Walking is the best way to feel the pulse of the capital. Local taxis are widely available and typically charge Rs. 100 to 200 for destinations within the town centre (as of March 2025).
Read in the guideChoose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Dimapur · Regional · DMU
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Kohima and India.
Explore the rainy seasons in Asia month by month. Compare Southwest and Northeast monsoons, typhoon belts, dry island escapes, and travel dates.
8 min read
Spot and avoid common tourist scams in India, including fake train ticket offices, closed hotel lies, rigged auto-rickshaws, and temple donation tricks.
8 min read
Full 2026 list of visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries for Indian passport holders. Check entry requirements, stay limits, and transit visa rules.
6 min read
Discover the best places to visit in India, from Delhi monuments and the Taj Mahal in Agra to Jaipur forts, sacred Varanasi ghats, and Kerala backwaters.
6 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.