An abode of clouds, the rolling hills around the town and the hill station of one of the smallest states of India, Meghalaya. With the best places to visit in Shillong, it is geography synonymous to heaven, is the painting hung on your drawing-room wall, a collage of memories yet to be lived.
This prepossessing land is a beauty that floats on high over vales and hills, where the tall pine trees are seen fluttering and dancing in the breeze, and the clouds find a space along the margins of a hill unfolding the enchanting blue sky. The mystique land perched on an escarpment is more than enough to leave your imagination spell-bound.
The capital city of the state Meghalaya – a perfect blend of old charm and fresh essence, this bliss of solitude carries a number of things like falls, parks, peaks, landscapes and museums to keep a traveller’s head tossing in sprightly dance.
With the best places to visit in Shillong, this surprising holiday destination will make you forget to stop the shutters of your cam. The god’s honest harvest is ready to find a space among the favourites in your travel diary.
What to see
Living Root Bridge
In Meghalaya, bridges aren’t built, they are grown. The Living Root Bridge is an example of that. About a two-hour drive from Shillong, near Mawlynnong, the bridge is made of sturdy roots and is often used by villagers. While this bridge is a popular tourist attraction because of its accessibility, the one situated in Cherrapunji is not for the weak-hearted; it involves trekking down over 3,000 steps.
Mawlynnong
You’ll pass through this village on your way to the Living Root Bridge. We suggest making a pit stop here, on your way back. The village is very clean and the people from the village are friendly and welcoming. Walk through the tiny lanes and make it a point to check out the neatly-divided residential areas, small drainage canals built along the huts and the bamboo dustbins installed every few meters. Make it a point to grab a meal at the local shacks; these offer a peek into the cuisine from the state. A vegetarian meal here consists of plain dal, rice and a curry, and a non-vegetarian meal is usually chicken cooked with bamboo shoots and served with rice and spicy pickle.
Dawki, Umngot River
Crystal clear water is not just an expression, but a reality at Dawki. Passing through the India-Bangladesh border, the Umngot River makes for an ideal spot for camping and barbecues, or just to laze around. Take a boat ride (priced at `400 per hour) along the river and go nuts gawking at the large pebbles on the river bed. Yes, you can see through the water — even 15ft deep at some places.
Mawphlang Sacred Forest
The Khasi Hills have many forests that have been preserved by local religious sanctions, which means that these forests cannot be harmed or tampered with. “Don’t even dare picking up a leaf as a souvenir,” instructed our guide. About 25km from Shillong, this sacred forest is an ideal spot for nature lovers, and those who are looking for a moment of peace and quiet. Dense trees, orchids and butterflies are in abundance, and so are religious stones that stand tall in the forest.
Elephant Falls
Named after an Elephant like stone at its foot, the Elephant Falls are amongst the most popular falls in the North-East, situated next to Shillong. It is a tourists’ paradise with three layers of the falls accessible to the layman from different vantage points. The Britishers named this fall so owing to the presence of an elephant-shaped rock on one side of the fall. However, the stone disintegrated and was washed away due to an earthquake in 1897. Elephant Waterfalls is a superb place for spending some time in the midst of nature while capturing the incredible moments for your keepsake.
The breathtaking Elephant falls were referred to as ‘Ka Kshaid Lai Pateng Khohsiew’ by the local Khasi people, which means ‘The Three Step Waterfalls’, as these falls consist of three mesmerising falls in succession. The first of the three waterfalls are tucked between the dense trees and are very broad. The second waterfall reduces to thin strands of water and is almost negligible in winters due to the receding water levels. The third and the most visible waterfall is the tallest with clear water flowing like a sheet of milk on the dark rocks in the backdrop. Out of the three, the third waterfall tends to strike the visitors as the most impressive. Elephant Falls is a great stopover destination before one head for further journeys into Meghalaya. Located 12 km away from the capital city of Shillong, it is one of the most visited falls in the beautiful state.
Umiam Lake
Umiam Lake, a mesmerizing man-made reservoir, is located at a distance of 15 kilometres north of Shillong which is the capital of the north-eastern Indian state of Meghalaya. The lake was formed after a dam was constructed to generate hydroelectric power. The scenic Umiam Lake is encircled by lush green East Khasi hills that form one of the best panoramic sights for nature-lovers in the country. The sunrise at the lake is a treat to watch and shouldn’t be missed. The Umiam Lake has a park adjoining it which is a hotspot for picnics and frequented by locals for a getaway from their busy scheduled.
The serene lake or the reservoir is surrounded by thick coniferous forests and expands over an area of about 222 square kilometres.