The Mao Gate is the official border between Nagaland and Manipur, located a few kilometres north of the town on National Highway 2. The gate itself is a modest concrete arch, but the setting is striking: the highway descends from this point through heavily forested hills, and on a clear day you can see considerable distances in both directions.
For travellers moving between Kohima and Imphal, the gate is a natural pause point. The surrounding area offers some of the most intact subtropical forest in the region, with good birding in the early mornings. A small market sometimes operates near the gate, selling forest produce, local vegetables, and Naga specialities.