A beautiful hill city, Aizawl, the capital of Mizoram is situated at about 1132 metres above sea level. Flanked on the north by the lofty peaks of Durtlang, the hill city is set on ridges of steep hills overlooking the sylvan valley of the river Tlawng in the west and of the river Tuirial in the east and south. This picturesque and peaceful city also commands exotic landscape of verdant hills stretching away to the horizon. Aizawl literally means “a field of wild cardamom", a name which originated during the days of the great Mizo chiefs Lalsavunga and Thanruma who had set up villages in and around the present site of Raj Bhavan in the early nineteenth century. The area, however, was deserted when the British administration established a military outpost "Fort Aijal" in the spring of 1890, following which it became a permanent settlement and eventually, the headquarters of Mizoram. Being the state capital, Aizawl is also the political and cultural centre of Mizoram. It is the seat of the state government and the public sector as well as the commercial hub of the state.The Mizo people are mostly Christians and lead westernized life-style. They are warm and hospitable to visitors. With its moderate Aizawl is an ideal destination for people looking for fresh environment and the feel of nature. There is also a great scope for adventure sports like para gliding in the Durtlang cliffs and rafting in Tlawng river.