mountainside at silver creek With an oversized foyer better suited as a car showroom, Hotel Arun Subansiri (%2212806; Zero Point;

Some 3km west on Mahatma Gandhi Marg is Ganga Market, landmarked by a red, triple-spired temple mountainside at silver creek and nearby mountainside at silver creek clock tower. The market itself is a busy clash of peoples from across mountainside at silver creek the borderlands as well as piles of colourful fruit and some other decidedly exotic food items. The good-value Hotel Blue Pine (%2211118; s 300-500, d 500-600) mountainside at silver creek is here, with well-maintained rooms and a mix of common and private bathrooms. Don t mind the caged receptionist, he s quite tame and helpful.

With an oversized foyer better suited as a car showroom, Hotel Arun Subansiri (%2212806; Zero Point; mountainside at silver creek s/d 1100/1320; a) has comfortably large rooms with soft beds. It s within walking distance of the decent mountainside at silver creek State Museum (Indian/foreigner/camera/video 10/75/20/100; h9.30am-4pm Sun-Thu) and the brightly decorated Centre for Buddhist Culture gompa set in gardens on the hill above.

than a geographical area. Most foreigners fly into Imphal; it is also possible to drive in from Kohima (Nagaland) or Silchar (Assam) if you have a guide. Travelling east of Kakching towards the Myanmar border is not permitted.