Phawngpui Tlang / Phawngpui National Park, is the highest Mountain in Mizoram. It is a continuation of the Himalayan Range. The name Blue Mountain was given during the Lushai Expedition in 1887-1888 by the British. Seeing the majestic mountain in front of them, with lush thick forest which looks bluish from a distance, thus naming it the Blue Mountain. It has always been a home for wildlife and various birds. If you are lucky enough, you might witness Serow and other wild animals basking in the sun.

It also has many beautiful floral and fauna, like Rhododendron in bloom in the month of March, and many varieties of Orchid. The Phawngpui National Park provides habitat for a range of birds including the rare Blyth’s tragopan, falcon, sunbirds, dark-rumped swift, and Mrs. Hume’s pheasant, which is the Mizoram state bird, and also rare animals like the mountain goat, slow loris, tiger, leopard, leopard cat, serow, goral, Asiatic black bear, stump-tailed macaque and capped langur. Victoria Babax Bird , the rarest of the rare, is also found only at Phawngpui National Park. Since it is on a very high altitude winters are biting cold, and temperatures can go to as low as -5 degrees. It is situated in Lawngtlai District,inhabited by the Lai Tribe, They are known for their hospitality,hunting skills and their ferocity. They speak a different dialect known as Lai.

The best time to visit Phawngpui Tlang is from November – March. Phawngpui Tlang would be the best recommendation. If you’re a hardcore traveller looking for a rejuvenation for your heart and soul do visit Mizoram the land of rolling hills.
Picture: Some of the birds found in Phawngpui National Park.