Bird’s-eye View of Shillong
Located in the East Khasi Hills District, Shillong is the capital city of the State of Meghalaya, India. The nearest link to it is from Guwahati (103 km) both by air and train.
Shillong is a beautiful hill station, and in India, it is accessible from all sides. It has many educational institutes. Meghalaya is the smallest state in India, and Shillong its capital lies 4,908 feet above sea level. The hills around it attract tourists, and it is known as “Scotland of the East.” It has a rejuvenating climate. Shillong still retains its colonial charm.
Points of Interest in Shillong
Lady Hydari Park
Lady Hydari Park is not only popular with the locals but also the tourists. It is in the heart of Shillong city. The park attracts many visitors during April and October. That is the flowering season, and the garden displays a riot of colors with pretty butterflies flower hopping.
Don Bosco Center for Indigenous Cultures
The center preserves the rich cultural heritage of North East India. It has a publication center, a museum and an institution under its umbrella. Don Bosco Center occupies an area of 56,000 sqft. It has seven stories. It is designed uniquely with a hexagonal shape. Each floor of the center represents the seven states of North East India.
Don Bosco Centre has a well spread out display of cultural artifacts and paintings throughout its seventeen galleries. It showcases the cultures of the communities inhabiting North East India. The museum here has an extensive collection of books, a conference hall, and a media hall. This area of Don Bosco Center for Indigenous Cultures is a paradise for the anthropologist.
Spread Eagle Falls
These falls are in the cantonment area of Shillong. It lies on the outskirts of the city. The waterfall’s visual effect as it flows down is like an eagle with wings spread out. All around the tourists find tranquility amongst unspoiled nature. The meandering fall from the hills is a treat to the eyes.
Sweet Falls
Sweet Falls is eight kilometers from Shillong. They are near the Happy Valley. It is a straight vertical fall from a distance of two hundred feet. With your family, it’s an ideal picnic place.
Elephant Falls
The tourists watch these falls set in the fern-covered rocks. They are at a distance of 12 km in Upper Shillong. They beautifully descend from a mountain cliff. In the vicinity of Elephant Fall, you will also find the Wei Laplam Falls and the Wir Phang Falls. It is an easy reach to these falls with a paved footpath and a wooden bridge.
Shillong Peak
The Shillong Peak is located in Upper Shillong. It is 10 km from the city. It lies 1,965 meters above sea level. The peak offers the tourists spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. In the state of Meghalaya, it is the highest point. At night, the lit city below looks pretty. Every spring a ritual is held here to pay obeisance to U Shillong at the sanctum.
Shillong Golf Course
This golf course is among the few natural golf courses in Asia. The entire stretch of the golf course is set amongst a valley. It looks beautiful and colorful with the rhododendron trees and pine trees. Shillong Golf Course is the Gleneagles of the East. It is an 18-hole course carpeted with green grass, and streams crisscross the golf course.
Shillong has many other tourist attractions. There are a vast number of museums, and the Entomological Museum is the only known museum devoted to butterflies in India. You can also visit the “Stone of France.” From Shillong, the tourists can take the tour of their interest and visit Cherrapunjee. A journey to Kaziranga is worth your visit. Elephant rides, jeep safari and a stay at Kaziranga overnight will let you remember the calls of the jungle. Go cave exploring in Shillong visiting the beautiful mystic limestone caves.
Shillong offers sporting activities to its many adventurous tourists. Follow the Mountain biking trails and enjoy the peace and calmness of the beautiful mountains. The trekkers can explore the green hills, cottony clouds, and the beautiful flora as they trek along in and around Shillong. Get down to water rappelling for your adrenaline rush at Elephant Falls. You look like a Spiderman wading through the waterfall.
Shopping cannot be left out, so visit the famous markets of Shillong and buy a colorful handicraft and local, rare and beautiful artifacts. Shillong offers many good staying options. There are luxury, mid-budget and economy hotels. Try the homestay as your dwelling place while in Shillong.
Restaurants in Shillong are cosmopolitan, buzzing and offer good food. Try the hot momos on the streets of Shillong. Visit Shillong in winters as they are cool and dry. October and November and March and April are the months best suited to visit Shillong. Transport is no problem in Shillong. Shillong Airport is located at Umroi, which is 30 km from Shillong. The tourists from outside India can arrive at Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport Guwahati and then take a domestic flight to Shillong.
