Places to visit in Shillong

Umiam lake is the beauty of Shillong. My first preference to all visitors to visit the lake. The beauty and shining view of surrounding is fabulous you will enjoy the view and the memory will remind you of Shillong and its nature. Umiam Lake lies between Guwahati and Shillong. It is about 20 km from the capital, Shillong. Tourists usually visit Umiam Lake as a stopover on their journey from Guwahati to Shillong, but it is recommended to spend a night here to fully appreciate this beautiful lake. 
On the way from Guwahati to Umiam Lake, there are various of hotels and  restaurants which serves the delicious food especially the peaches and momos. The taste of the momos is very good. Just try it once when you visit.
Lake Umiam is commonly known as Lake Balapani. Located 15-20 km away from Shillong, it is part of a dam built by Assam Electricity Board as Meghalaya’s first Heidel Power Project.
Umiam Lake is a very important water source for irrigation, fishing and drinking water. There are many winding roads on the access road to Umiam Lake, and you can see the lake in the distance from the road. Due to military surveillance, it is forbidden to park vehicles on the roads or take pictures on the roads. It is a 2-minute walk from the car park through the lush gardens to the lake. The first spot at Umiam Lake was breathtaking. He’s huge and incredibly handsome. As far as the eye could see there was a stretch of clear water surrounded by hills on all sides. A wooden gazebo was built on the shore of the lake. There are water sports where you can rent speed boats and bass boats for a fee.

The Don Bosco Center of essential Culture, also known as the Don Bosco Museum, is a great intro to the people and culture of Northeast India. The 3-4 hours spent here will be very beneficial as you will learn about the ceremonials, customs, dressing, occupations, food, etc. of the different tribes of Northeast India. The restored replica is easy to understand, and children will be happy to visit. The skywalk at the top also offers great views of Shillong city. Anyone can go in the Don Bosco Museum and explore it.
If you want to know Shillong and its culture from closely you must have to visit the Don Bosco Museum. The Museum is privately owned under the catholic church which shows the culture and history and so many things of Northeast India and Shillong too.

One of the many must-see attractions on your itinerary is Lake Ward, a man-made jewel in the heart of Shillong. Also known as Pollock Lake, it is surrounded by extensive gardens overlooking the mountains. Named after Chief Assam and Sir William Ward, the lake was first created in 1894. The best time to visit the lake is from June to July, but the pristine atmosphere and greenery make it a great place to visit any time of the year. Shillong’s Warda Lake is shaped like a horseshoe and is surrounded by lush flower beds and paved paths. If you are tired after a long day exploring the city, head here to enjoy the sheer beauty of the lake.
The lake is surrounded by a botanical garden that also grows exotic and colourful orchids. A charming fountain on the shore of the lake makes you stop and listen to the murmur of the brook. A wooden bridge in the middle of the lake offers magnificent views of the lake and nature. You can also feed the fish here. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a boat on the lake and walk through the lush valleys that surround it. A small cafeteria by the lake offers a variety of delicious food and beverages. The colourful cherry blossoms popular in Japan are also home to Shillong. In November, the trees change colour, and the hill stations turn a calming pink. One of the best places to see this magical flower is Wards Lake in Shillong. Sailing hours are 8:30 AM to 6:30 PM. However, in winter it closes at 4:30 PM. Entrance fee is INR 10 per person. The lake is closed on Tuesdays. The Wards lake in Shillong is located near police bazar the distance from police bazar to Wards lake is of few minutes and you can also go by walking.

As a conquering Christian nation, Meghalaya needs several churches. The Cathedral of Our Lady in Shillong is one of the largest and oldest churches built by the British in 1912. Known for its magnificent architecture, it is revered by many Khasi and Jaintiya peoples. The cathedral is built on a hill overlooking the boulevard. It is painted blue and has high arches and stained-glass windows. People of other religions also come here to worship and seek blessings. We happened to visit the Cathedral on a Sunday. It was full of people worshiping and caroling and praying.

Shillong Golf Course that you have seen many times in movies. The largest golf course in India and Asia, it sits at an altitude of 5200 feet. Due to its beauty and unique location, it has been compared to the Glen Eagle Course in the United States. The 18–20-hole course is surrounded by several pine and rhododendron trees. Families with children were seen running around and playing with happy hearts and happy laughter. This beauty is also suitable for family weekend getaways departing near Shillong. During my short stay, I was fascinated by the fresh air and greenery.
Travelers who just want to take a walk on the green golf course can do so for free at any time. The golf course has a public road with green grass on both sides for easy access. If you want to play golf, please contact Shillong Golf Club for detailed information.

An image of Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets you at the entrance to Elephant Falls and conveys its beauty. The British called this waterfall “Elephant Falls”. Because the rock next to the waterfall looked like an elephant. However, in 1897 it was destroyed by an earthquake. Most waterfalls in the Meghalaya region are fed by rainwater and dry up after months of rain, but Elephant Falls never dries. However, the rainy season (June-September) or just after the rainy season (October-December) is the best time to visit because the water level is lower than in other months. Elephant Falls is also known as “Sandan Falls” because the waterfall falls in three stages, and it is said that there are three vantage points on the way down. At the first point, a large stream of water drops onto a steep, flat plateau. It’s the only thing that can tell if you’re older and have a hard time climbing stairs. The other two levels need to be lowered. The second level looks like a continuation of the first waterfall, and the last level is the most beautiful, with crystal clear water flowing over the rocks creating a bubble effect. As I heard from others on the 3rd floor, I think my heart will be at ease listening to the gentle sound of the waterfall. The waterfall, the surrounding lush vegetation, and the souvenir shop in front of the entrance were well maintained and beautiful. A trip is incomplete without visiting Elephant Falls. Please come and visit it.

The Air Force Museum is a great place to learn about the Indian Armed Forces, defense history and warriors. There are photos and replicas of the fighters and planes used in the India Pakistan War and India Bangladesh War. It also showcases a bit of Northeastern culture through costumes and jewelry. Life-size decommissioned planes, helicopters and IAF jets are parked right in front of the museum, and you can even click pictures of them.

This is the highest point in Shillong, and you can enjoy watching the Shillong’s beauty. The access road passes through the Air Force Base Station. A lot of security and identity checks are done before you are allowed to visit the summit. The summit is on Air Force property, so you must present a valid photo ID. But after all this hassle, Shillong Peak offers a stunning, 360-degree panoramic view of the city of Shillong. A giant pair of binoculars has been installed at one corner of Shillong Peak, allowing visitors to see the distant hills, waterfalls and plains of Bangladesh. At the summit shop, you can rent traditional costumes and accessories for your photo shoot.

Music is very important to Shillong, and house parties and celebrations with campfires and jam sessions are common. Shillong Town is a cafe center for coffee and music lovers. The city has several unique cafes, and no tour of Shillong is complete without exploring some of the cafes and eateries. The Polis Bazaar and Bada Bazaar are Shillong’s main markets, attracting merchants from different parts of Meghalaya to sell everything from Khasi handicrafts and jewelry to clothing and shoes.

The waterfall is located about 10-12 kilometers from the capital Shillong. It is known as one of the “most beautiful” waterfalls in Meghalaya. Sweet Falls is a less popular, bohemian and picturesque waterfall. However, due to numerous drownings and deaths, it is considered one of the most dangerous waterfalls in Meghalaya. It’s pretty steep, and you can hear splashing water in the distance. The Valley of Happiness has a beautiful lookout point, and it is not recommended to go beyond this point. Just sitting on the observatory and looking at the waterfall while the wind blows, and the birds chirp is healing. You can also visit the Ever-Living Museum on the way to Sweet Falls.

There’s no better place to see Shillong’s spectacular surroundings than Latilum Canyon. It is an hour drive (25 km) from Shillong town. What does Laitlum mean – The End of Hills is a fitting name for a canyon, leading to vast gorges, golden meadows and stunning green trails. The hike to the village requires about 3000 steps. It takes about 4-5 hours for a round trip. The village offers breath taking views of lush gorges, embracing mountains, and  flowing creeks here and there. The rope carts still used by the villagers to carry groceries and other necessities are antique and very interesting.
That said, Lady Hydari Park is a hit with kids, but adults might not find it interesting. A relatively new trekking trail, the Rhododendron Trek, is slowly gaining popularity. You can also visit seasonal waterfalls and other museums if you have time.

Mawlynnong, also known as God’s Own Garden, is a small village located about 90 km from Shillong in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. Declared the cleanest village in Asia by Discovery India in 2003, he is one of India’s most popular tourist destinations. Mawlynnong Village is a community-based ecotourism initiative where the entire community works together to ensure and maintain cleanliness in the village.   Mawlynnong offers the most scenic natural beauty such as lush green valleys, crystal clear river water, abundant flowering orchids hanging from the trees and very pretty streets, making this small village It makes it a must-see destination for tourists visiting Meghalaya. The village of Mawlynnong also offers a pleasant climate all year round and especially during the monsoons the village tends to magnify its elegance, making visitors feel like they are in heaven on earth. Aside from its cleanliness, Mawlynnong is also renowned for its living root bridges, 100% literate tribal natives, extraordinary empowerment of women, and warm hospitality to its visitors.

Dawki is a border crossing between India and Bangladesh, so we were very happy to visit this place as it is our first visit to the Indian border. He envisioned the Wagah border between India and Pakistan. This is a prerequisite for all pomp and ceremonies. Crossing the border from Dauki seemed pretty easy. There was nothing to indicate that this was a frontier, and all the Javanese who ruled the area were at ease. There were no border fences either, and looked more like a day fence than a border. It was interesting to see because I always heard that there are many undocumented border crossings from Bangladesh to India. It looks friendly.
What’s a bit disappointing is the lack of drama in Borders. But it was good to go there. Unfortunately, the road from Shillong is very long and winding, so we moved very slowly due to poor road conditions. Our driver said we would be late if we stopped to take pictures. As we approached the border, we crossed a very picturesque bridge overlooking the river that separates India and Bangladesh. The flat lands of Bangladesh were very different from the hilly country we were in. For security reasons, photography was not permitted here either. It was the Daukhi border crossing. This is one of those places where the road to it was more beautiful and impressive than the road itself.

Traveling from Dawki to Mawlynnong, you can witness the stunning natural beauty in the form of waterfalls known as Bophill Falls. The water falls with incredible force, forming rivers in the Sylhet border region of Bangladesh, making the water appear milky.

Also known as Dawki Falls, this waterfall is considered a hidden gem of Meghalaya and is another waterfall near the border road when going to Mawlynnong village which is very popular with tourists.

Also known as the Skywalk, the site is a popular attraction at the sugarcane and bamboo village of Mawlynnong, which together with the village overlooks the India-Bangladesh border. INR 10 per person will be charged to visit this 85-foot pagoda that offers a beautiful panoramic view of the countryside, the India-Bangladesh border and the locals engaged in their daily activities.

The village itself has another medium-sized waterfall and is considered a perfect picnic spot for tourists to enjoy a quiet afternoon with the shimmering sound of the falls as a backdrop. The waterfall is surrounded by beautiful flowers and plants that make the surroundings more beautiful.

The Living Root Bridge in Riwai Village, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. If you thought the Umngot River was Meghalaya’s only specialty, think again!    On the way from Shillong to Dhaukhi, you come across this ‘living root bridge’ near Liwai village next to Maurin Long.   The Living Root Bridge requires descending stairs and following a rocky path.   Bridge is a 15-minute walk but may be difficult for older people.   Visitors are not allowed to stay long on the bridge to take pictures as it may damage the bridge at the base of the fig tree.   Fig tree aerial roots are used to create the railings for bridges.   Believed to be over 300 years old, this building was painstakingly built by generations of Khasi people.   November is the best time to visit this attraction.   You can also click the photo below this bridge as the waters of the Tyllong river recede.   The Tyrone River turns into a beautiful stream at Liwai from November to February.   There are several homestays in Liwai and the village of Mawlynnong, 2 km from here.

Our ancestors are believed to have lived in caves, and the paintings and graffiti found in these cases are widely interpreted as talking more about their way of life. Although controversial, caves are an important link to reach out to our ancestors and their lifestyles.There are thousands of caves in India, which attract many tourists with different interests every year. increase. Mozinbuin Cave in Shillong is he one of such caves in India, known not only for its geological importance but also for its exquisiteness. The Mawjymbuin Cave is located in his Mawsynram village in the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya. The village of Mawsynram  is reportedly the wettest place on earth (Cherrapunji is recorded as the wettest place for statistical purposes, as there is no Meteorological Department office in the area).   The unique stalagmite occurrence is of interest to geologists who do a lot of research here. An impressive pair of caves and a huge stalagmite within the Siblinga-like cave make this cave a sacred place for Hindus. This will get you a large number of followers all over the country. The cave also has a flat-topped domed rock called Shimmer Rock. It is also a recommended spot for those who like photography.   A small stream runs beneath the eastern side of this cave. The cave has many chasm entrances and passageways, some of which are difficult to enter. Caves also have something to offer the adventurous. A flood of tourists, pilgrims and historians has made this cave a major tourist attraction in Meghalaya.