Dimapur

About Dimapur

Dimapur sits at 240 metres above sea level on the edge of the Brahmaputra plains, making it the lowest and most accessible city in Nagaland. It is the only city in Nagaland with a functioning airport and a railway station, which makes it the unavoidable entry point for anyone travelling to the state. Before Nagaland became part of India, the Dimasa Kachari kingdom ruled this area, and their megalithic stone ruins still stand in the heart of the modern city. Dimapur is also home to the Diezephe Craft Village, where local artisans produce traditional Naga textiles, bamboo crafts, and woodwork. Despite being primarily a transit city, Dimapur holds enough cultural and natural interest to justify a day or two of exploration before heading into the hills.

Top Attractions in Dimapur

• Nagaland Zoological Park on the outskirts of Dimapur houses native wildlife including Hoolock gibbons, clouded leopards, and various deer species in a forested setting.
• Nagaland Science Centre is a well-maintained interactive centre in Dimapur that offers hands-on science exhibits and is popular with families and school groups.
• Triple Falls Seithekema is a set of three tiered waterfalls about 20 km from Dimapur, set within a forested gorge and accessible by road followed by a short walk.
• Stone Garden (NEZCC) is a landscaped garden featuring megalithic stone arrangements and traditional Naga architectural styles, managed by the North East Zone Cultural Centre.
• The Kachari Ruins, scattered across a residential neighbourhood in central Dimapur, are the remains of the medieval Dimasa Kachari kingdom: large stone mushroom-shaped pillars whose exact purpose is still debated by historians.
• Diezephe Craft Village, a short drive from the city centre, is where Naga weavers and craft workers from multiple tribes operate small workshops and sell directly to visitors.

Why Visit Dimapur

Dimapur is the practical starting point for any Nagaland trip because all flights and trains arrive here. Beyond logistics, the city offers a grounded look at the pre-Naga history of the region through the Kachari ruins and a well-organised zoo featuring species specific to Northeast India. It is worth spending a night and a morning here before travelling on to Kohima or other hill towns.

Best Time to Visit Dimapur

October through February is the most comfortable period, with lower humidity and clear skies. Dimapur sits at low elevation and can be warm and muggy from April through September. If you are arriving for the Hornbill Festival in Kohima (December 1-10), Dimapur is where most budget flights land: a one-night stay here before moving to Kohima is a practical approach.

How to Reach Dimapur

By Air: Dimapur Airport (DIM) receives daily flights from Kolkata, Guwahati, Imphal, and Delhi. It is the only airport in Nagaland and the main air entry point for the state.

By Rail: Dimapur railway station is the only railhead in Nagaland, connected to the Northeast Frontier Railway network. Trains run from Guwahati (4-5 hours), New Jalpaiguri, and New Delhi (Dimapur Express).

By Road: Dimapur is 280 km from Guwahati via NH 27 and NH 29, approximately 6 to 7 hours by road. State buses and private vehicles operate on this route. From Dimapur, Kohima is 74 km on NH 29, about 2 hours.

Permit Requirements

All visitors to Nagaland, including Indian nationals from other states, require an Inner Line Permit (ILP). Indian citizens can obtain the ILP free of charge at the Nagaland House in Delhi, Kolkata, and Guwahati, or at Dimapur Airport on arrival. The permit is also issued at the Nagaland Secretariat in Dimapur. Foreign nationals must obtain an ILP before or upon arriving at Dimapur Airport, where an ILP counter operates during flight hours. The permit is checked at road checkpoints between Dimapur and other districts.

Nearby Destinations

From Dimapur, all of Nagaland is within reach. Kohima is 74 km away, the state capital and the base for Hornbill Festival visits and Dzukou Valley treks. Wokha is around 100 km from Dimapur, a 3-hour drive into Lotha Naga territory, known for the Amur falcon roost at Doyang Reservoir each October.

Plan Your Dimapur Trip

Dimapur pairs naturally with Kohima as a two-city Nagaland itinerary. For a full overview of what to see and do in the state, visit our explore all Nagaland destinations page.