Imphal is the capital of Manipur, in a wide valley at about 786 m, and its airport is 8 km from the centre. See Kangla Fort, the women-run Ima Keithel market, Shree Govindajee temple and the war cemeteries, then Loktak Lake, 45 km south. Indians need a Manipur ILP. Check current advisories before planning; we confirm conditions before booking.
Imphal sits in the middle of an oval valley ringed by hills, and on a clear winter day you can see ridge after ridge in every direction. It was the seat of the Manipur kingdom for centuries, and the old royal enclosure at Kangla, surrounded by a moat, is still the heart of the city. Manipuri dance, martial arts such as thang-ta and the game of sagol kangjei, from which modern polo developed, all belong here.
The city's best-known sight is Ima Keithel, the mothers' market, where thousands of women traders have sold fish, vegetables, textiles and household goods for generations. In 1944 Imphal and Kohima were the scene of the battles that stopped the Japanese advance into India, and two Commonwealth war cemeteries stand in the city.
We have to be direct about the situation. Manipur has seen ethnic violence since May 2023, with curfews, road blockades and internet shutdowns at times, and several foreign governments advise against all but essential travel. President's Rule ended in February 2026, but tensions remain in parts of the state. Check current advisories before planning; we confirm conditions before booking.
What makes it worth the trip
Kangla Fort
The old royal seat of Manipur, with a moat, gateways, restored temples and large grounds in the centre of Imphal. Allow 1.5 to 2 hours.
Ima Keithel
A market run entirely by women traders, housed in several large halls in Khwairamband. Go in the morning for fish, vegetables and handloom textiles.
Shree Govindajee Temple
A Vaishnavite temple next to the royal palace with twin domes and a large prayer hall. Evening aarti often includes devotional music.
Imphal War Cemetery
A Commonwealth War Graves Commission cemetery for soldiers who died in the 1944 battles, quiet and well kept.
Manipur State Museum
Galleries on Manipuri costume, weapons, musical instruments and a royal boat, near the polo ground.
DeepanjanGhosh · Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Meghroddur · Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
Haoreima · Commons · CC BY 4.0Things to do
- Walk around Kangla Fort and its moat in the morning
- Browse Ima Keithel for Manipuri handloom, black rice and dried fish
- Attend evening prayers at Shree Govindajee Temple
- Visit the Imphal War Cemetery and the Indian Army memorials
- Spend an hour in the Manipur State Museum
- Watch a polo match at Mapal Kangjeibung if one is on
- Eat eromba (fermented fish and vegetable mash) and chak-hao kheer (black rice pudding)
- Take a day trip to Loktak Lake and the INA memorial at Moirang
- Check whether the Sangai Festival, traditionally held in late November, is being held during your visit
Getting there
Flying is the practical way in. Imphal's Bir Tikendrajit International Airport is about 8 km south of the city, with direct flights from Kolkata, Guwahati, Delhi and other cities, and an ILP counter on arrival. By road, NH2 runs about 215 km from Dimapur through Kohima and Mao Gate, and NH37 comes in from Silchar through Jiribam; both have seen blockades and disruption since 2023. There is no railway to Imphal yet; the Jiribam to Imphal line is under construction. Check current advisories before planning; we confirm conditions before booking.
Where to stay
Most visitors stay in central Imphal, around Paona Bazar, Thangal Bazar and the roads near Kangla and Ima Keithel, where mid-range hotels are within walking distance of the main sights. Homestays exist in residential areas and villages on the valley edge. Choose a place with power backup, confirm the hotel is open and ask about curfew hours or restrictions at the time of booking, since these can change quickly.
Local tips
- Check current advisories before planning; we confirm conditions before booking
- Apply for your Manipur ILP online before travel or at the airport counter, and carry printed and digital copies
- Mobile internet has been suspended at times; carry cash, hotel details and offline maps
- Follow any curfew or movement restrictions and ask your hotel each morning about local conditions
- Ask before photographing traders at Ima Keithel and people at religious sites
- Keep your itinerary flexible and avoid road journeys between districts unless your local contact confirms they are safe
Rain and weather
Source: IMD 1991–2020 normals
October to March for dry, mild weather, subject to the current security situation; check current advisories before planning.
