Imphal (Meitei: ꯏꯝꯐꯥꯜ, /eem-phaal/) is the capital city of the northeast Indian state of Manipur. It has a small population but it is a developed city that many travellers visit in transit. Imphal hosts the world's oldest Polo Ground (Imphal Polo Ground), the world's tallest topiary plant (Samban Lei Sekpil), the world's only women-run market (Ima Keithel) and the world's tallest polo player statue (Marjing Polo Statue).
With an average elevation of nearly 800 metres (2,600 ft), 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. In 2013, the British National Army Museum voted the Battle of Imphal and the Battle of Kohima together to be "Britain's Greatest Battle" or "UK's Greatest Battle".
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).
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. 1 Manipur State Museum, Kangla Rd (near the polo grounds). 10AM-4:30PM. The museum is varied. It includes portraits of Manipuri royalty, tribal costumes, polo equipment (Manipur is one of the places in the world that claims to have invented the sport) along with weapons and other tools used by the people in the past.
Khongjom War Memorial, Lamding Mamang Leikai, Thoubal, ☏ +91 94351 55104. This memorial and war complex was built the princely state of Manipur (Kangleipak) fought its last war of resistance against the British in 1891, after which it came under imperial rule.
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"). There are many budget restaurants in Imphal, most of which are near the bus stop. 1 Forage, 2nd Floor, KokSamLai Tower (oppt. Thau Ground), DM College Road, Thangmeiband, Thangmeiband Hijam Leikai, Imphal West, ☏ +91 90894 12615, forage@warakki.com. Daily noon-8PM. Diverse international cuisine with an exotic touch. Try their fermented iced teas and soybean smoked pork. (updated Feb 2018) Luxmi Kitchen, Wahengbam Leikai, Sagolband, Wahengbam Leikai, Sagolband, ☏ +91 385 244 0885. Genuine Manipuri food.
Alcohol is banned but you can still buy some of you ask hotel staff or in some small restaurants behind the polo ground in an alley. Don't hang out there at night. You pay double the list price. Mujikund. Local wine and beer. Sekmai. A traditional liquor made out of rice. Sekmai. A very strong traditional rice wine similar to Chinese baiju, often homemade. It has savoury charicteristics and the yeast is sometimes taken from local tree roots.
For over 30 years Manipur has been and is being affected by internal and international armed conflict. Imphal city is safe for travellers but it becomes dangerous to venture out on the outskirts and in the rural and mountainous areas surrounding the city; especially at night. Police may forcibly send you back to the centre of the city if you venture or try to hitchhike in these areas. The presence of "underground groups" (A mix of activists, rebels, Mafia, drug traffickers and terrorists) is large here and though tourists are generally safe you should avoid involvement and walk away if anything strange is happening. The risk of violence is higher on Indian national days such as Republic Day …
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Sep, Imphal typically sees ~30°C daytime highs and 19 rainy days.
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