Shillong Travel Guide: Places to Visit, Day Trips and Planning

Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya, 1,496 m above sea level according to the state government, and Meghalaya Tourism, the state's tourism board, says the British founded it in the second half of the nineteenth century. The sights fall into two groups: the city itself, which fills a day, and the lakes, sacred forests and canyons within about 30 km, which fill another.

Shillong Peak

At about 1,965 m, Shillong Peak is the highest point in Meghalaya, roughly 10 km south of the city and about 40 minutes by cab. The viewpoint has a telescope and wide views over Shillong and, on clear days, towards the plains of Bangladesh. It stands inside an Indian Air Force radar station, so visitors must show a valid photo ID and hand over their cameras at the gate. Meghalaya Tourism recommends September or October to March, and advises avoiding the monsoon because fog often hides the view.

Elephant Falls

Elephant Falls lies in Upper Shillong, about 12 km from the city and a drive of 30 to 40 minutes. The water drops in tiers: its Khasi name, Kshaid Lai Pateng, refers to three levels, and the English name comes from an elephant-shaped rock that an earthquake destroyed more than a hundred years ago. Railed walkways lead from the top to the pool at the base, where the water is knee-deep. Meghalaya Tourism lists it as open from 6 am to 6 pm, gives June to September for the fullest flow and advises a local guide if you do not know the terrain or the language.

Ward's Lake and Lady Hydari Park

Ward's Lake lies in the middle of the city. According to the East Khasi Hills district, Sir William Ward, then Chief Commissioner of Assam, proposed it and Colonel Hopkins built it in 1894. You can boat on it, feed the fish from the wooden bridge in the middle, and walk the cobbled paths between flower beds; a cafeteria serves snacks. Lady Hydari Park, in the heart of the city, has flower gardens, a children's play area and a display of birds and animals. Together they suit an unhurried hour or two at the end of a city day.

Don Bosco Museum

The Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures stands in Mawlai, about 3.5 km from Police Bazar, and is Shillong's best introduction to the peoples of the Northeast. Meghalaya Tourism describes a museum on seven levels, with themed galleries on the region's tribal cultures, photographs of tribal life and a rooftop skywalk with views over the city. Its listed hours are 9 am to 5.30 pm from 1 February to 30 November and 9 am to 4.30 pm from 1 December to 31 January, and it is closed on Sundays. Confirm the hours before you go.

Meghalaya State Museum

The Captain Williamson Sangma State Museum stands in the State Central Library complex and is run by the Department of Arts and Culture. The district describes it as a museum of tribal culture and traditions, with monuments to patriots and statues of Indira Gandhi and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Meghalaya Tourism adds that visitors can engage with the displays through sight, sound and touch. Neither source gives opening times, so check them locally before building an afternoon around it.

Cathedral and golf course

The Cathedral Catholic Church at Laitumkhrah is a large Gothic-style church with stained glass and artwork, and the first archbishop's grave lies near the altar. The Shillong Golf Course, set in a valley of pine trees, grew from nine holes to eighteen and is popular with walkers in the morning. Allow about an hour for each.

Umiam Lake

Umiam Lake lies about 15 km from Shillong beside the Guwahati road in Ri-Bhoi district. It was formed in the early 1960s, when a dam was built across the Umiam River for a hydroelectric project. Meghalaya Tourism lists boating and water sports, Lumpongden Island, sunset views and Lum Nehru Park, and recommends October to March for cool weather and clear skies. Lum Sohpetbneng, a sacred summit the board translates as the navel of heaven, is also nearby; its best months are February to June.

Mawphlang Sacred Forest

Mawphlang, about 25 km south-west of Shillong, holds the most celebrated of Meghalaya's law kyntang, the ancient sacred groves that the Khasi community has protected for generations. Nothing may be taken out of the forest, down to a pebble or a twig. Meghalaya Tourism advises a local guide who knows the place and the language, and gives October to April as the best season. A heritage museum of Khasi huts and tools stands at the forest's edge. Shared Sumo cars from Shillong may not run late in the day, so plan to be back in daylight.

Laitlum Canyon

Laitlum Canyon is about 25 km from Shillong, with the village of Smit roughly 5 km from the canyon and a further drive of about 15 minutes. Meghalaya Tourism lists the walk to Rai Um village as the thing to do and recommends October to May. No local buses run directly to the canyon, so hire a taxi or join a day tour. In the rains, watch the forecast for heavy-rain and landslide warnings before setting out.

Each of these needs most of a day, so do not stack two of them into one.

Cherrapunji (Sohra)

Cherrapunji, called Sohra by Meghalaya Tourism, is about 55 km from Shillong and holds Nohkalikai Falls, the Seven Sisters Falls, Mawsmai Cave and the trek to the Double Decker Root Bridge. Our Cherrapunji travel guide covers the sights, the seasons and the order to see them in.

Mawlynnong

Mawlynnong lies close to the Bangladesh border, about 72 to 76 km from Shillong by Meghalaya Tourism's two figures. The village is known as one of Asia's cleanest, with a single-decker living root bridge, the Nohwet bridge, a short walk away. A bamboo tower, the Sky Viewpoint, looks down to the plains of Bangladesh, and the Church of the Epiphany, over a century old, stands among gardens. The board describes the village as suitable for visiting throughout the year.

Dawki and Shnongpdeng

Dawki, in West Jaintia Hills near the Bangladesh border, is about 80 to 85 km from Shillong, around three hours by road according to Meghalaya Tourism. The Umngot river here is glass-clear, a suspension bridge crosses it, and boat rides run from Dawki. Kayaking, snorkelling and cliff-jumping are offered at Shnongpdeng. The listed visiting hours are 6 am to 6 pm, and the board asks visitors not to overstay. October to May is its recommended season, and it says water activities need at least two days.

IMD's climate summary for Shillong gives an average annual rainfall of 202.2 cm over 117 rainy days. July is the wettest month at 43.8 cm and January the driest at 0.8 cm, and the south-west monsoon brings about 68 per cent of the year's rain. June is the warmest month, with a mean daily maximum of 24.0°C and minimum of 17.4°C. In January the means are 14.9°C and 5.9°C. Fog occurs throughout the year and is more frequent in winter, and thunderstorms from January to May are sometimes accompanied by hail.

Meghalaya Tourism calls March and April pleasant, with evenings that turn a little nippy at higher altitudes. The monsoon fills the waterfalls, but swimming is not permitted in most places while it lasts. Winter is the busy season, so book rooms early. Match the month to the sight: Shillong Peak from September or October to March, Umiam Lake from October to March, Laitlum from October to May and Elephant Falls at its fullest from June to September. For the monsoon across India, see our monsoon travel guide.

Meghalaya Tourism names Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport at Guwahati as the main gateway, about 100 km and three hours from Shillong. The East Khasi Hills district puts Guwahati's airport 128 km and its railway station 104 km from the city, so the distance depends on where you start. Shillong's own airport at Umroi is 35 km from the centre and has limited flights. There is no railway in Meghalaya, and the nearest station is Guwahati. From Guwahati, taxis, shared cabs and buses run to Shillong along the main highway, and Meghalaya Tourism notes that entry points require government-issued ID, so carry yours. Our guide to Guwahati covers the gateway city, and domestic flights in India explains booking the leg in.