Dimapur to Shanghai Flights

  About Dimapur

A fast-growing and flourishing city in Nagaland that is certainly worth exploring is Dimapur. It is not the most popular tourist spot, but you won't regret taking a trip here. From resting by the Dhansiri River to exploring the 10th-century Kachari Ruins, there is quite a lot that you can do in this city. Since the city is only used in transit because of its airport, even just a day is enough for you to get around the city. The Triple Falls, located in Seithekima village, is a sight for sore eyes. You can also visit the Kachari Ruins that was created by the Dimasa Kachari Kingdom of Dimapur. You can also shop for handmade products that are made by the Naga tribes. Dimapur is the perfect destination if you want to enjoy some alone time with nature. If you are planning a backpacking trip across North-East India, it is highly recommended that you add Dimapur to your list.

Best Time to Visit Dimapur

Since Dimapur is surrounded by hills, the weather is quite moderate throughout the year. However, October to June is considered to be the best time to visit Dimapur. October to March are also suitable months to plan a trip to Dimapur. You can book a hotel in Dimapur that has a view or even a decent homestay. You will find several homestays and good flight deals to Dimapur, too. The people are quite friendly and will make sure that you have a wonderful vacation.

October to March is when the city experiences winter. The temperature ranges from 13 to 18 degree Celsius. The climate is very soothing and pleasant during this time, which makes it a suitable time to plan a trip here. The view of the hills and the waterfalls during this season will leave you mesmerised. The summer is from March to June. The maximum temperature reaches 38 degree Celsius. The weather remains pleasant even during summer and also makes for a decent time to be in the city.

Dimapur experiences heavy rainfall from July to September, making it a less favourable time to plan a trip here. Since it is offseason and a lot of activities that you can otherwise do remain closed, you might get cheap flight tickets to Dimapur. However, you can sit at a cafe or in your hotel room and admire the beautiful city post the downpour.

Places to Visit in Dimapur

The Triple Falls is one of the highly recommended places in Dimapur. It's an apt sightseeing spot, especially if you are a fan of waterfalls. You get to see three waterfalls rush and converge down at the same spot. The waterfalls are maintained by the Government of Nagaland and are a major tourist attraction here. Whenever you are in Dimapur, you must certainly visit the Triple Falls. This is also a trekking point for all you adventure and nature lovers out there.

If it is archaeology and history that has your attention, do visit the Kachari Ruins. According to beliefs, these monoliths shaped like mushrooms were created by the Kachari Kingdom in the 13th century. Though a lot of it is ruined, the ones that still stand erect make for a breathtaking view. The interesting part about the ruins is that no one knows about the purpose and origin of the pillars. This is also an apt place to take lots of pictures. Visit the beautiful Chumukedima Village to enjoy its tranquillity and the magnificent waterfalls near the village. You can book a hotel in Dimapur that is around Chumukedima village.

Dimapur also has a Zoological Park which is touted to be one of the best places to go to in the city. The Rangapahar Reserve Forest is another popular tourist attraction for sightseeing. Not only will you spot animals like bears, deers, wild goats and so on, but you will also find medicinal plants in the forest. It is advisable to hire a tour guide when you plan to visit the forest. You can also visit the Intanki Wildlife Sanctuary. The Shiva Temple in Dimapur also has religious significance. It is believed that the village was built in 1961 by the villagers. You can also visit the Nagaland Science Centre, which is one of a kind. It is quite a unique experience, and if you are travelling with your kids, they will definitely love it.

Things to do in Dimapur

If you are in the city in December, do visit the Hornbill Festival that is organised by the Government of Nagaland. Since the state has a lot of different tribes living together, the government organises the festival to get the different tribes to interact with each other and promote their culture further. Make sure you also visit the Museums in the city to know more about Nagaland's culture and the tribes that reside there. The wildlife photographer in you will love the visits to the wildlife sanctuaries.

Go for a trek at the Triple Falls or any other waterfall of your choice. It will undoubtedly be an experience of a lifetime. You can even try out waterfall rappelling at Amsoi. Make sure you listen to all the safety protocols, too. Take a Nagaland Rural Experience tour. Get to know more about the lifestyle of the people of Nagaland. You can also participate in the festivals and be a part of the celebrations. Go shopping at the Hong Kong Market or any other shopping markets for that matter. This is like a paradise for all shopaholics. You will get foreign goods here that are imported from Thailand and Myanmar, at a cheaper rate. If it is souvenirs that you are looking for during your shopping spree, you will find a lot of those, too.

You will also find a lot of packages and readymade itineraries online if you are unsure about how to plan the trip. There are quite a few adventurous outdoor activities, too, for nature lovers and adventure seekers but you will have to make sure that you pick the right season for it. Monsoon might stop you from venturing out and trying out a lot of activities that you would have tried otherwise.

Food and Restaurants in Dimapur

The ILI-AH Restaurant is a place you must go to for delicious food and relaxing, long conversations over the meal. It is known for its pork sizzlers with mashed potatoes. Not only will your taste buds be satiated but you will also feel rejuvenated, thanks to the scenic view. Tibetan Canteen is a favourite joint among people in Hong Kong Market. You can stop by here after your shopping spree. There aren't too many items on the menu, but you'll enjoy whatever it is that you do order from the menu. Beef Dimsums and Thukpa are highly recommended dishes here.

Rusoki's Kitchen is a fancy restaurant that serves a fusion of Naga and oriental cuisine. The seafood here is also highly recommended. You can sit inside comfortably or choose the outdoor seating. Ruby's Cafe is a cosy and small cafe for you to hang out for some time and chill. You can order something from the resort's bakery or beverages of your choice. Zephyr Lounge restaurant serves South-East Asian cuisines, and you'll get the best Thai or Korean food at this restaurant.

How to reach Dimapur (Transportation)

By Air

There is only one airport in Nagaland, and it is located in Dimapur. Due to a lack of dedicated runway and airlines, the flight connectivity from Dimapur is limited to Guwahati and Kolkata. The nearest international airport is in Guwahati. The international routes to Dimapur for tourists travelling from different countries connect from Guwahati. The domestic routes from Dimapur are also quite limited to Kolkata, Guwahati, Dibrugarh and Imphal. If you book in advance, you might even get cheap flight tickets to Dimapur or a good flight deal online that is combined with hotel accommodation.

By Rail

Dimapur is also the only city that is well-connected to other major cities from Dimapur Railway Station, in Nagaland. Though travelling by air can get a little bit tedious because of the poor connectivity, it is a convenient option. Taking a train will be a treat to your eyes, courtesy the beautiful view outside till you reach Dimapur station. The trains run quite frequently from these cities. As an important city in Nagaland, Dimapur is the centre for all kinds of transport connection from air to rail. However, travelling within the state will not be that big a problem since transport is easily available to reach the nearby cities within the state.

By Road

It is easier to reach Dimapur by road from neighbouring North Indian states. You can either opt for the bus services or hire a private taxi. The National Highway 39 is a popular route to Dimapur that connects from Kohima and Imphal. A road trip from any one of these cities is also not that bad an option. Of course, you will have to be quite careful and mindful of the roads if you travel during monsoon.

  About Shanghai

Shanghai is one city that believes in 'Change is the only constant' and actually implements it. If the old restaurants in the city aren't changing their decor or remodelling, they get replaced by a new store. Shanghai is a city that has been developing rapidly. It is one of the most dynamic cities in China and has a vibrant nightlife. You will also find a lot of tall buildings and skyscrapers in the city. Shanghai is also known for its rich history, trendy architecture and several Michelin star restaurants. There is very little chance of you finding vegetarian food in the city, but otherwise, the culinary experience here is stunning. Even if you are not an art lover, you will find yourself appreciating the art museums and galleries in the city. Shanghai also has a lot of water towns in the city, which offer a tranquil getaway. Shanghai has a lot of towns that represent places like Great Britain, Italy, Germany, Spain and Sweden. The city is also well-connected to other cities in China if you are planning to explore them.

Best Time to Visit Shanghai

Autumn is the peak tourist season for Shanghai. April and May is the spring season in the city with the temperature ranging from 10 to 23 degree Celsius. There are several national festivals celebrated in the city during this time, which means there will be a surge in hotel prices. Make sure you book your hotel in Shanghai well in advance if you are planning to visit during these months. You must also book your flight tickets to Shanghai well in advance. However, it is advisable to not plan your trip to Shanghai in April or May. You can attend events like the Qingming Festival and Youth Day. It's also May Day or Labor Day on 1st May. This is not the busiest time for the city, but you will get to witness beautiful blossoms in the parks in the city.

June to September is the peak travel season in Shanghai and the busiest time for the city. The temperature ranges from 20 to 31 degree Celsius, and the weather is not very pleasant. The room rates are quite high, and you will find a lot of tourists in the city, too. There are also possibilities of typhoons in the city during late summer. It also rains quite a lot in the city during this time. You can attend events like the Dragon Boat Festival and Army's Day. The city also celebrates International Children's Day on 1st June. Since this is peak tourist time, hotels will be completely booked. Make sure you book your hotel in Shanghai several weeks in advance, so you get a decent deal and for a low price. There are slim chances that you will get cheap flight tickets to Shanghai during this season.

The fall season begins in October and lasts till November. The temperature ranges from 8 to 22 degree Celsius and hotel prices drop considerably. While the days are warmer, the nights are quite chilly, so make sure that you pack a couple of warm clothes, too. The weather provides quite a relief from the scorching summer heat. The rainfalls also reduce quite a lot in the fall season. The first week of October attracts a lot of Chinese tourists, owing to the public holiday. December to March is the winter season in Shanghai. It doesn't get as cold as it does in Beijing, but it is still not the best time to visit the city. With Chinese New Year in January/February, the hotel prices and flight tickets to Shanghai witness a surge. The temperature ranges from 0 to 13 degree Celsius. It is best to avoid travelling to Shanghai during this time since there will be a lot of traffic and it will be difficult to enjoy a vacation in Shanghai during this time. It goes without saying that you will also find it difficult to get good flight deals to Shanghai in winter.

Places to Visit in Shanghai

While Shanghai seems like it is just a concrete jungle, but it has quite a lot of sightseeing options in store for you. The Bund is a very attractive building in Shanghai. While it is a very common site for the locals, if you are visiting the city for the first time, you will be completely blown over. Try to visit the building at sunrise for the best experience. You will find a lot of pensioners flying kites and practice tai chi. The Propaganda Poster Art Centre is an art museum that you can visit even if you are not interested in art and history a lot. Eight ancient water towns surround Shanghai. You can either visit them all, or you can just stop at Qibao to experience it all. It is known for its delicious street food, and you can also go on a shopping spree here without burning a hole in your pocket. Fuxing Park is another popular spot in the city. It was one of the largest parks in the city and is a common hangout spot for the senior citizens in the locality. M50 is an architectural landmark which is short for Moganshan 50. It is a very hip and happening contemporary art district. You will find some of the best art galleries in the neighbourhood.

Caojiadu Flower and Bird Market is another popular place where you can go on a shopping spree. While the first floor has a lot of outdoor plants, herbs, birds, turtles and other animals, you can shop for wedding supplies and home decor items on the second floor. You can also head to Shanghai Disneyland. The speciality of the amusement park is that the rides have been modified to cater to the Chinese audience. Shanghai Science and Technology Museum is dedicated to nature, earth, robotics, space travel and is a popular place to visit. You can also head over to the Longhua Temple. You will find a lot of peace here. Chongming Island is another popular tourist attraction in the city that is worth visiting. If you want to go on a shopping spree, you can also head to Xintiandi, a very popular mall in the city. You cannot leave Shanghai without checking out the Shanghai Circus World.

Things to do in Shanghai

You can opt for a sightseeing tour of the city or explore it on your own. However, it is advisable that you hire a tour guide to get to know the city better. The city has a lot of museums that you can head to whether or not you love art and history. If you love science, you must definitely head to the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum. Zhujiajiao is like the Venice of Shanghai and is worth a visit. Shanghai is also known for its unique cuisines. You can either sign up for a food tour or join a cooking class to learn how to make a few Chinese cuisines. If you want a spiritual experience, you can head over to Longhua Temple. You can also offer your prayers as you learn more about Buddhism. Catch an acrobatics show at the Shanghai Circus World.

Food and Restaurants in Shanghai

Local street food is highly recommended if you are visiting Shanghai for the first time. However, you will also find a lot of fine dining, Michelin star restaurants in the city. It might be a tad expensive, but completely worth it. It will be quite difficult to find vegetarian food on the menu here or at local food joints. However, if you love meat or seafood, you can try the Xiaolongbao here or Liang pi. While the street food here is quite famous, a lot of locals prefer it for breakfast only. Aura Lounge and Jazz Bar at The Ritz-Carlton is a popular place to head to for dinner. The ambience and service here are impeccable. You can also head to The Roof for a couple of drinks and delicious food. Jin Xuan Chinese Restaurant is another restaurant at The Ritz-Carlton where you will find a variety of Chinese and Asian food. Yi Cafe at Pudong Shangri-La is another popular place to try seafood and Asian cuisine. Sakemate is another restaurant that you must try. The menu includes Japanese, Peruvian, Latin and Asian cuisines.

How to reach Shanghai (Transportation)

Shanghai Pudong International Airport serves the city. The flight connectivity to Shanghai from India is excellent. Singapore Airlines, Thai Airways, ANA All Nippon Airways and Cathay Pacific Airways have frequent flights to Shanghai from India with layovers at Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo and Hong Kong. If you travel during the offseason, you might get cheap flight tickets to Shanghai. You will get taxis or car rental services from the airport quite easily to your hotel. However, it is best that you book your tickets and hotel in advance so you don't end up paying a high price and make the most of the deals you might find online.