Kohima War Cemetery

n a terraced hillside where one of the fiercest battles of the Second World War was fought hand-to-hand across a tennis court, 1,420 headstones now rest in perfect, silent rows.

Set on the slopes of Garrison Hill in the heart of Kohima, the Kohima War Cemetery is among Asia's most moving war memorials — a garden of remembrance for the Commonwealth soldiers who fell in the Battle of Kohima in 1944, the clash that halted the Japanese advance into India and was later voted Britain's greatest battle. Manicured lawns step down the hillside past bronze-plaqued graves, many of men barely eighteen, while white lines still mark the contested tennis court. At the base stands the 2nd Division memorial and its unforgettable epitaph. Birdsong, valley views and profound stillness make this a place for quiet reflection amid Nagaland's vibrant tribal energy.

Best time to visit: October to May for cool, clear weather; visit around 13 April for the Battle of Kohima anniversary service.

Traveller tip: The cemetery is open dawn to dusk and usually closed on Sundays — go early on a weekday morning for soft light and near-solitude, and take a moment to find the epitaph stone before you leave.

Plan your visit via Nagaland Tourism.

This attraction sits right in Kohima town and is easily covered in BreakBag Holidays' customised Nagaland tour packages, often paired with the Hornbill Festival.