Imphal, the capital of Manipur is a quaint small town and one of the prominent ancient cities situated in northeastern India. The town came into limelight when the Japanese invaded India at the time of the Second World War. It is currently a major tourist hub where mass influxes of tourists from across the globe frequently visit to witness the charm and beauty of the town. Majority of the areas located at Manipur is inhabited by local tribes. Ideally, the summer season is the best time to explore the entire city of Imphal. There is multitude of places to visit in Imphal. Some of them are discussed below.
15 Best Places To Visit In Imphal
- Kangla Palace
- Manipur State Museum
- Loktak Lake
- Three Mothers Art Gallery
- Moirang Village
- Sirohi National Park
- Shaheed Minar
- Sekta Archaeological Living Museum
- Tharon Cave
- Khonghampat Orchidarium
- Ema Keithel
- Imphal War Cemetery
- Andro
- Bir Tikendrajit Park
- Shree Govindajee Temple
- Matai Garden
1. Kangla Palace
Kangla Palace is one of the top tourist places in Imphal located beside the banks of river Imphal. This spot was believed to be the summer palace of the ex-rulers Meitei. While planning a visit to the Palace of Kangla, visitors should definitely check out one of the bustling markets in Imphal named ‘Khwairamband bazar’. The unique thing about this place is that it is owned and operated by women. It offers an excellent opportunity for a budget-conscious tourist to test their bargaining skills.
Location: Kangla, Imphal, Manipur
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2. Manipur State Museum
Manipur State Museum which is strategically located in the city of Imphal spreads the message of a glorious past and rich history. The museum was inaugurated by the late Honorable Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi. It still continues to be a favorite Imphal sightseeing spot in Manipur. It showcases some of the ancient artifacts, sculptures, paintings of eminent artists belonging to various eras. The museum is broadly classified into three separate departments such as ethnology, archaeology, and history.
Location: Kangla, Imphal, Manipur
Timings: 10 am – 4:30 pm
Must Read: 18 Popular Tourist Attractions In Manipur You Must Visit
3. Loktak Lake
Loktak Lake is one of the largest freshwater lakes and the bedrock of city of Manipur. It is nicknamed the ‘Floating Lake’ owing to the presence of organic substances like ‘Phumdis’. This lake serves as a major source of water supply to the entire city of Manipur and is also one of the major sources of income for the Government. The lake is undoubtedly one of the best places to visit in Manipur.
Location: Imphal, Manipur
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4. Three Mothers Art Gallery
Another major place to visit in Imphal is the Three Mothers Art Gallery. It is an epitome of contemporary art forms. The gallery displays the diverse art of varying sizes ranging from tiny dragon figurines to massive god idols.
Location: Thangapat Rd, Thangapat Mapal Thangjam Colony, Palace Compound, Imphal, Manipur
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5. Moirang Village
Moirang Village is yet another place to visit in Imphal city. This small town houses an ancient temple which is dedicated to ‘Lord Thangjing’. The best time to explore the Moirang Village is during the month of May where you can witness the famous ‘Moirang Haraoba Festival’. It is a major event which is performed by professional dancers dressed in ethnic outfits.
Location: Thana Leikai Mandap, Moirang, Manipur
Suggested Read: 7 Hotels In Imphal That Are Truly Homes Away From Home
6. Sirohi National Park
One of the top tourist places to visit in Manipur is the Sirohi National Park. It was erected back in the year 1982 and is home to some of the elusive and endangered species of wild animals like tigers and leopards. This National reserve park is one of the top tourist places to visit in Manipur owing to its natural habitat. This place houses a peak known by the name ‘Sirohi Peak’ where you can capture amazing photos of Sirohi lily. It is endemic to certain parts of Sirohi since the soil and climatic conditions are best suited for its production. The best time to explore the natural beauty of Sirohi National Park is during the months of April and May.
Location: Imphal-Jessami Rd, Shirui, Manipur
Timings: 6 am – 10 pm
Suggested Read: 13 Popular Manipur Festivals That Show The Cultural Diversity Of The Northeast
7. Sekta Archaeological Living Museum
One of the best places to visit in Manipur is the Sekta Archaeological Living Museum. This place showcases some of the rare antiques that belonged to the local tribes of the fourteenth century. It is currently being converted into an Open-air-living museum.
Location: SEKTA AWANG, Imphal, Manipur
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8. Tharon Cave
If you are scouting around the city of Imphal for places to visit near Imphal, then you may head straight to Tharon Cave. Tucked away from the heart of the city lies one of the famous caves in Imphal named Tharon Cave which is exclusively meant for the expedition. However, the visitors are requested to wear protected gears and helmets before venturing into the cave.
Location: Imphal, Manipur
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9. Khonghampat Orchidarium
Khonghampat Orchidarium is an ideal place for a nature enthusiast due to the presence of fragrant orchids. It is an enchanting garden which is home to diverse range of orchids. It is one of the must include places to visit near Imphal.
Location: NH2, Mantri Leikai, Potsangbam Khoiru, Manipur
Timings: 9:30 Am – 5 Pm
10. Ema Keithel
Image Credit: Dirklaureyssens for Wikimedia Commons
Ema Keithel means Mother’s market and this market is one of the most popular places to visit in Imphal. Ema Marke is the largest women market in Asia and is around 500 years old. All the vendors in this market are women and around 5,000 – 6,000 women are working in this market. Basic utilities like fruits, vegetables, toys, utensils, textiles, and spices are sold in this market. This market is located near the Kangla Fort and after exploring the fort you must pay a visit to this popular market.
Location: Thangal Bazar, Imphal, Manipur
Timings: 4:15 am – 6 pm
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11. Imphal War Cemetery
Image Credit: Herojit th for Wikimedia Commons
Imphal War Cemetery is situated in Imphal and Commonwealth War Graves Commission maintains this eminent burial place. During the second world war in the Battle of Kohima and Imphal, a lot of martyrs lost their lives. The Imphal War Cemetery is dedicated to the martyrs who fought in this battle. Around 1600 burials are present in this war cemetery. If you want to have a glance at the history of Imphal then you must add this cemetery to your itinerary.
Location: Imphal, Manipur
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12. Andro
Image Credit: Jugni for Wikimedia Commons
Disclaimer: The image is for representation purposes only.
Get ready to have an encounter with the cultural heritage of Imphal at Andro. Andro is a quaint town where the Scheduled Castes reside and you can witness their creativeness and culture by visiting this town. Famous for its pottery, Andro is located in the east of Imphal and attracts a lot of travelers who like to collect the souvenirs from the places they travel to. You can visit the Andro Gramshang Museum in Andro where different types of traditions pots like Pudond Makhong and Walomare are displayed.
Location: Imphal, Manipur
13. Bir Tikendrajit Park
Image Credit: RajkumariDayamenti for Wikimedia Commons
Known for the Shaheed Minar dedicated to the gallant soldiers, Bir Tikendrajit Park is one of the most famous places to visit in Imphal. In 1891, the Anglo-Manipuri War was held and the Shaheed Minar located in this park was made to commemorate the sacrifice of these soldiers. A tall monument with immense historical importance, Shaheed Minar is a great spot for all history enthusiasts.
Location: Paona Bazar, Imphal, Manipur
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14. Shree Govindajee Temple
Image Credit: kknila for Wikimedia Commons
Shree Govindajee Temple is a stunning Hindu temple in Imphal. It is the largest Vaishnav temple in Imphal and it lures a lot of Hindu devotees. Shree Govindajee Temple is a spectacular temple that has two domes that are gold plated and a paved court. This temple was rebuilt in 1876 and its marvelous structure will surely impress you. The main deity worshipped in this temple is Lord Krishna. The locals believe that Lord Govindajee was an incarnation of Lord Krishna.
Location: Imphal East district
15. Matai Garden
Image Credit: Achair for Pixabay
Disclaimer: The image is for representation purposes only.
Famed as the Ibudhou Asheiningthou Garden, Matai Garden was named after the Lord Matai. Lush greenery and picturesque view await you at this beautiful garden in Imphal. If you are not into historical places and want to spend your time amidst nature then Matai Garden is the perfect spot for you. This garden is one of the prime picnic spots and you will find a lot of locals spending time with their families at this serene spot. Do carry your cameras to capture the scenic surroundings.
Location: Matai Mamang Leikai, Luwangsangbam, Imphal, Manipur
Further Read: 43 Places To Visit When Travelling To North East
Imphal does not disappoint any type of tourists. There’s so much you can see and things you can try in this small city. So, plan your next trip to Imphal and get ready to have a blast with your family and friends. Do let us know all about your vacation in the comment section below!
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