New Delhi, July 25 -- By the time I climbed up the narrow staircase leading to 14 Beans, one of Aizawl's best-known rooftop cafes, nearly every table facing the hills had been claimed. Everyone was waiting for the sun to go down and the city lights to take over the skyline.

Hidden among the city's winding lanes are cafes that have become destinations in their own right, many competing for rooftop views that now dominate Instagram. Tourism has accelerated the movement, particularly after the Guwahati-Sairang railway line opened last year, making Mizoram easier to reach. Social media has done the rest, turning glowing nightscapes, boutique homestays and cafes into compelling reasons to visit.

Yet Aizawl's cafe culture feels unlike the boo...