Home of the Konyaks Nagas, Mon provides tourists with a unique and quite mesmerizing view of tattooed faces wearing feathery loincloths.
The District, with the exception of the foothills, has a difficult terrain with steep slopes. Even though Mon doesn’t have a lot of sightseeing points, but it still attracts a lot of people from all around the world. The people, their culture, their dressing is very colorful and different and it is probably the most interesting aspect of this town.
There are numerous villages nearby which are very pretty and might offer you a closer picture of the life of the Nagas. Veda Peak and Naganimora are among the famous tourist spots here. One can see a waterfall near the Veda peak and this would be one of the most pristine places in the region. Veda peak is located around 70 kilometers from Mon. Among the few villages in the region that are worth visiting are Chui, Longwa and Shangynu.
Tourist Attractions
Veda Peak: This is the highest peak in Mon district. Located almost 70 km from district headquarters, this peak gives a clear and absolutely stunning view of the Brahmaputra river as Chindwin river (which runs through Burma) when the skies are clear.
Another attraction at Veda peak is the famous waterfall. This area is considered one of the best locations in the district.
Shangnyu Village: One of the prominent villages of the district. The Angh’s house (chief’s house) is located here is believed to be more than 500 years old. The uniquely carved structure still stands tall. The memorial stones are also found in front of Angh’s Palace.
Chenloisho Village: This is one of the biggest villages in Chen area. Located near the India-Myanmar border, this village has a small museum which houses all kinds of traditional ornaments of the region. Human skulls which are of the “head-hunting” days are displayed in a place called Waloo.
Longwa Village: One of the largest villages of Mon district, this is a highly interesting place. The Angh’s house here lies half in India half in Myanmar. Even though the village lies in two countries, the entire village is ruled by the chief.
The villagers have dual citizenship. The natural beauty is immense as a total of four rivers flow through the village – two in India and two in Myanmar.
Local food
The food here is simple yet both rich and filling. Try the popular and authentic Noodles and Momos, having a distinct local flavor to them. One might also find a number of popular local Naga dishes such as dried pork, smoked pork stew, boiled vegetables, bamboo steamed fish, chicken rice soup, Naga ghost chillie sauce as well as a local beverage, Rice beer.
Best time to visit
October to May is the best time to visit Mon and other parts of Nagaland as the weather is pleasant. However, it is not very hot during the summers as well and one can visit Mon in the remaining part of the year as well.
How to reach
The town of Mon is located at a distance of 300 km from the town of Dimapur and 368 km away from Kohima. Dimapur is the nearest transit point and one can reach the place using taxis. The airport at Dimapur is the best choice for those who are planning to travel by air. The airport is connected to places such as Guwahati, Kolkata and Dibrugarh and Imphal. The town of Dimapur has the only major railway station in the region
