Imphal

Understand

thumb|Imphal from above at dusk With an average elevation of nearly , Imphal has a cooler and more pleasant climate than most places of India. It can drop below freezing in the winter. The summers are much wetter and more humid with the monsoon rains at their peak in June and July. October is an ideal time to visit as the rains turn the whole town a lush green.

Some tourists pass straight through but it's worth staying a day, if only to see Kangla fort, buy supplies and recover from long bus rides.

Get in

Imphal city is one of the most important cities in India, and is to be the most important city in eastern side of India, as the "Imphal-Mandalay-Bangkok" Route of 1,813 km is being constructed to enable Indian trade (focusing on Imphal) with Myanmar (focusing on Mandalay), Thailand (focusing on Bangkok) and other ASEAN nations.

Get around

Minivans take common routes around the city and to neighbouring villages, tuk tuks are common and should cost ₹10-20 for short trips (though they frequently ask ₹100).

See

Matai Garden- The garden is in Matai, Imphal east district about 5 km north on NH-39. The garden is also called Ibudhou Asheiningthou Garden, taking the name from Ibudhou Asheiningthou (local God of Matai). The garden is known for its myriad Duranta plant, well shaped and decorating the entire garden. Sambal- Lei-Sekpil garden. The garden is in Sagolband, Kwakeithel, Imphal, toward the Tidim road. The place is world-famous for Sambal- Lei-Sekpil. Literally sambal means fence, lei means flower, and sekpil means topiary. The flower was featured in the Guinness Book of Records in 1999 (at the height of 50 ft, 35 steps). The garden is open to visitors. Shree Govindajee Temple- This place was considered to be the highest place for any cultural activity during the times of the maharajas. Located at a place near the royal palace of past maharajas, it has two domes and a raised congregation hall.

Buy

thumb|The women's marketPaona market has a wide selection of local and imported items, it has a distinct South East Asian vibe and you can find vegetables, garments, and a few food stalls. A good place to buy anything made of bamboo.

Eat

Preparations of bamboo shoots are delicacies here, along with other common dishes of northeastern India. Try out the local variety of hot chilly (locally known as "Umorok"). thumbnail|Manipuri lunch means white rice, vegetable curry, cucumbers, groundnut gravy and onions.