India Myanmar road crossing

Champhai

    I was surprised to know that there is a road crossing from Mizoram to Myanmar. The road crossing is at the sleepy Indian border town of Zokhawthar. Since I had time on my hands I decided to go to Myanmar. The picture above shows India Myanmar border crossing and the bridge over river Tiau photographed from Myanmar side.

 

Zokhawthar

   From Aizwal share taxis are available to Champhai. It’s best to take the early morning departure taxis. We reached Lunglei by 3 PM. Champhai is one of the few places in Mizoram that can boast of flat terrain and is famous for its paddy crop. On of the only legal wineries in Mizoram is located at Champhai. "Champhai Grape Growers Winery" is open to visitors but it was closed when I visited the facrory. Its a small winery loacated amidst beautiful paddy fields. We slept in Champhai for the night and decided to go to Myanmar the next day

   I recommend a private vehicle to the border crossing of Zokhawthar as public vehicles are few and far between. The road journey from Champhai to of Zokhawthar through the terrible road takes over an hour. Enroute there is sign post for Melbuk. There is no sign of Mulbuk except for the christian cemetery adjacent to the signboard :) Zokhawthar lies on the banks of river Tiau. The immigration office is beside the bridge that spans river Tiau. This bridges separates India and Myanmar. Pay Rs.10 and a day pass is immediately issued for Indian citizens. Indian vehicles are also allowed to cross over into Myanmar.

Ridil (Rih Dil) lake

    On the Myanmar side about 45 min drive through unpaved road lies the holy Ridil (Rih Dil) lake. As per Mizo tradition the souls of dead people pass through Ridil Lake. During independence of India all land to the east of river Tiau , including Ridil lake, became part of Myanmar. One of the locals told me that during the days of the British Raj, Mizoram and other north eastern states were administered from Calcutta. After independence all territories administered from Calcutta became part of India.I could feel a sense of sadness that the holy lake which is an integral part of local tradition and folklore ended up in another country. We had lunch in Myanmar. Alcohol is freely available in Myanmar, while only wine is available in Mizoram. Another reason to have lunch in Mynmar :) Indian rupee is accepted in the hotels on the Myanmar side. We drove back to Champhai and spent the night there.

Myanmar farmer

Mizoram travel

Trekking in Mizoram