Shirui Hills, near Ukhrul, are home to the Shirui lily, a strikingly rare pink-and-white flower found nowhere else on Earth outside this specific range, making the hills a globally significant, if geographically tiny, b…
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Introduction
Shirui Hills, near Ukhrul, are home to the Shirui lily, a strikingly rare pink-and-white flower found nowhere else on Earth outside this specific range, making the hills a globally significant, if geographically tiny, botanical hotspot. The flower's brief and unpredictable blooming window each year draws dedicated visitors specifically timing their trip to catch this rare natural event, alongside the hills' broader appeal as scenic trekking terrain.
Beyond the lily itself, Shirui Hills offer sweeping views over the surrounding Ukhrul district and a genuine sense of remoteness that has helped protect the flower's extremely limited habitat from broader disturbance, though its rarity has also made ongoing conservation a significant local priority.
History
The Shirui lily was first documented by British botanist Frank Kingdon-Ward in the 1940s, and its extraordinarily restricted natural range — confined essentially to this single hill range — has made its conservation a particular priority for both local and national botanical authorities.
Best time to visit
April to May, for the unpredictable but narrow lily blooming window.
How to reach
About 90km from Imphal, near Ukhrul, roughly 3-3.5 hours by road.
