Shillong- Must Visit Spots In The Scotland Of The East

Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya and a hill station also well-known as the ‘Scotland of the East.’ There are several places to visit in Shillong which are Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak, Shillong Golf Course, Ward’s Lake, Laitlum Canyons, and many others. For shopping, you can visit Police Bazar which is situated at the heart of Shillong.

All throughout the year tourist visit this attractive city to spend superior time with friends and family in the lap of nature. Travelers get mesmerized by the stunning beauty of the places in Shillong. There are several tourist attractions to discover in Shillong and its outskirts like waterfalls, caves, natural parks, and lakes.

During your visit to dissimilar places in Shillong, apart from nature, you can also discover the culture, heritage, and lifestyle of the local tribals. The weather in Shillong is very enjoyable owing to its geographical location neighboring the plains of Bangladesh and the surrounding mountains.

Throughout the summers travelers visit Shillong in large numbers to relist the pleasant weather of Shillong and get a sigh of calm from the scorching heat of the plains. If you want to witness the calm breeze of the lake, greenery, and pine trees, you can visit the grand Umiam Lake and stroll on its shores.

For a walk in the serene environment, you should visit Ward’s Lake and Shillong Golf Course and shop for special handicrafts and several other local items you should confidently check in Police Bazar.

Umiam Lake

Umiam Lake also better known as Barapani Lake is a lake in the state of Meghalaya 15 km (9.3 miles) north of Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. It was formed during the early 1960s. The foremost area of the lake and dam is spread over 220 square km.

Often associated with the stunning lakes of Scotland. Umiam Lake is also a better-known picnic spot. Spread over a massive area, it delivers a treat to the eye and soul for nature lovers. The fascinating view of the lake makes you feel to stare at it for hours and hours.

This lake also comprises a water sport multifaceted, Nehru park, and Orchid Tourist Home. They deliver a variety of water sports activities. You can choose the water activities according to your skill. There are several adventurous and fun activities for kids to do at Umiam Lake. Apart from boating, there are other water sports and amusing activities that kids can indulge themselves in, under the leadership of their guardians.

Today tourists in great numbers visit Umiam Lake to spend some quality time. This mystifying lake adds a varied attraction to the attractiveness of the area which is in the lap of nature. The fame of the lake delivers a perfect stage for diverse water sports activities such as kayaking, water cycling, scooting, and boating to name a few by doing this you can have an electrifying experience on your visit to the Umiam lake

Elephant Falls

Titled after an Elephant with a stone at its foot, the Elephant Falls are amongst the most prevalent falls in the North-East, located next to Shillong. It is a tourists’ heaven with three layers of the falls available to the layman from dissimilar vantage points. The Britishers named this fall so due to the existence of an elephant-shaped rock on one side of the fall.

However, the stone crumbled and was washed away owing to an earthquake in 1897. Elephant Waterfalls is an excellent place for spending some time in nature while capturing implausible moments for your keepsake. The breathtaking Elephant falls were mentioned as ‘Ka Kshaid Lai Pateng Khohsiew’ by the local Khasi individuals, which means ‘The Three Step Waterfalls’, as these falls comprise three mesmerizing falls in sequence.

The first of the three waterfalls is inserted between the dense trees and is very broad. The second waterfall reduces to thin strands of water and is almost negligible in winter owing to the receding water levels. The third and most noticeable 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 inclines to strike the visitors as the most inspiring. Elephant Falls is an inordinate stopover destination before one head for further journeys into Meghalaya. Situated 12 km away from the capital city of Shillong, it is one of the most stayed falls in the attractive state.

Phan Nonglait Park

Once well-known as Lady Hydari Park, Phan Nonglait Park is among the foremost tourist lures in the pretty city of Shillong. It is a Japanese-style park that is attractive and verdant enough to induce fauna and flora lovers.

Apart from housing a countless range of flora and several small ponds, the park also includes a mini zoo where you can spot animals such as Himalayan Black Bear, Jackal, Porcupine, Leopard, and deer among several others. The tranquil atmosphere of the park makes it one of the must-visit locations in the city.

Laitlum Canyons

Suspended on the East Khasi Hills, Laitlum Canyons is a less traveled but one of the most attractive tourist and trekking destinations across Shillong. The canyons are situated nearly 21 Km south of Shillong which is nearly a half-hour drive away.

Accurately, translating to ‘End of hills’, this striking viewing site offers the finest panoramic views of the complete Meghalaya embraced by the royal hills and valleys. The spot is sheltered and serene, perfect for quiet and nonviolent getaways. To catch this location at its best, visit Laitlum Canyons either during sunrise or sunset.

One must hike for nearly 2 minutes via the shorter way or more than that via the longer route to reach Laitlum Canyons. This long, rocky, and verdure trail delivers a spirit of adventure to enthusiastic trekkers. From the topmost of the Canyon, one can also catch sight of Rasong, a small hamlet nestled deep in the points of the Laitlum gorge. It is a must-visit for nature lovers.

Air Force Museum

Situated within the complex of Eastern Air Command, the Air Force Museum in Shillong is yet another sight of attractiveness and wonder that makes it one of the most prevalent places to see in Shillong.

With galleries displaying several rockets, missiles, miniatures of fighter planes, badges, rank medals, and awards, this museum fascinates all types of travelers during the year. This is amongst the most stimulating tourist places in Shillong.

Sweet Falls

One of the sharpest and the most enthralling falls in the country, Sweet Falls has situated nearly 5 km from Happy Valley in Shillong. At a tallness of 96 meters, it is often touted as the most spectacular yet hazardous waterfall. The route to the waterfall is not sustained and is quite treacherous, enclosed by slippery stones resulting in some catastrophic stories.

Different from the tiered waterfalls of Meghalaya, the Sweet Falls is a thick rush of water falling from a prodigious height making it unbearable to stand below or take a bath in the falls. Ironically, Sweet Falls is supposed to be haunted by the local population – they have faith that if individuals visit the site in odd numbers, they return in even numbers.

The Sweet Falls of Shillong is a prevalent picnic spot enclosed by verdant greenery and occupied with the sounds of chirping birds. There is also a butterfly museum and a mini zoo neighboring the waterfalls. There is a balustrade at the site of the waterfall, but it is too feeble to lean on. The Sweet Falls has been noticeable a danger zone by the local government as it has been the site of some heartbreaking deaths and suicide during the past. 

Don Bosco Museum

As one of the best places to visit in Shillong, the Don Bosco Museum of Indigenous Cultures greet every tourist, art enthusiast, and history healthy with open arms. Highlighting art galleries, broad collections of handicrafts, artifacts, attires, ornaments, and weapons used by numerous tribes of North-east India, one can spectator panoramic views of entire Northeast India.

The museum is on the premises of Sacred Heart Church and is a seven-story building with seventeen dissimilar galleries. This is positively amongst the best tourist places in Shillong.

Spread Eagle Falls

Situated in the East Khasi District, 6km from Shillong Cantonment, the Spread Eagle Falls are measured to be the broadest in all of Shillong. The scintillating waterfall is also better known as Sati Falls or Urkaliar because of the belief that Ka Liar slipped into it. 

The majestic waterfall spurts down steep hills, towering 3 sides into an enormous pool of water which is perfect for the tourists to sit and lounge by. The Spread Eagle Falls, which looks like an eagle with its wings spread broad (hence the name), is a prevalent picnicking site amongst the locals of the region.

Rivers are very crucial to the sustenance of life. They act as roads that carry the water and also provide a habitat to many organisms. It is very difficult to imagine a world where rivers do not exist. Today we pay homage to the rivers around the world! Happy World River Day! pic.twitter.com/wnzYDLStrZ

— Meghalaya Tourism (@meghtourism) September 25, 2022

Police Bazar

Being located in the heart of Shillong, it is a one-stop shopping location for all forms of goods, such as Groceries, Fancy Items, Shoes, Mobiles, Laptops, Clothes, Local Handicrafts, and much more. Police Bazar, also locally well-known as Khyndailad is the favorite destination for shopping lovers among locals and tourists similar.

Variabilities of local, traditional as well as foreign products are accessible here. The market is mostly better known for urban lifestyle products involving ethnic and western outfits. Police Bazar also holds an entertainment hub for kids and adults. For the entertainment of children, a gaming zone is accessible on the topmost floor of Reliance Trends (Muda Complex).

Mawjymbuin Cave

Mawlynnong is a small village located nearly 90 km from Shillong in the East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, and is also well-known as God’s own Garden. It was professed as the cleanest village in Asia in 2003 by Discovery India which certainly makes it one of the most prevalent tourist destinations in the Indian state.

Mawlynnong village is a community-based ecotourism initiative where the complete community made communal efforts in making and maintaining the cleanliness of the village.

Mawlynnong proposes some of the most attractive natural beauty with lush green valleys, crystal clear water in the river, and a profusion of flowering orchids hanging from the trees and tremendously clean roads which makes this small village a worth-visiting destination for travelers visiting Meghalaya.

Mawlynnong village also proposes pleasant weather during the year and especially during monsoon, the village tends to encompass its elegance which makes the visitors feel such as heaven on earth. Apart from its cleanliness, Mawlynnong is also prevalent for its living root bridges, tribal locals having a 100% literacy rate with extraordinary women empowerment, and proposing warm hospitality to travelers.

How to reach Shillong? 

By Air

On the outskirts of Shillong, nearly 30 km away near a town named Barapani, is the local Umroi Airport. This minor airport only serves a few weekly Air India flights from Kolkata and Jorhat. Upon landing, one can take local buses or taxis to the center of Shillong. 

The contiguous large airport across the vicinity of Shillong is the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport of Guwahati, situated nearly 130 km away. Still, with the connectivity it proposes, most travelers opt to fly into Guwahati and then take a communal or private taxi to Shillong, as well as the state bus service.

There are flights coming into Guwahati from all foremost cities around the country, involving New Delhi, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai, and Hyderabad, proposed by national as well as international carriers such as Spice Jet, GoAir, Air India, Air Asia, IndiGo, and Vistara. Direct flights are common in most big cities, making your journey even more convenient.

By Road

Just like air travel, rail journeys to Shillong can only take you as far as Guwahati Railway Station which is nearly 104 km away. The plus point is that the station is tremendously well-linked to the rest of the country.

Trains such as Rajdhani Express, Guwahati Express, Chennai Express, and Karmabhoomi Express are prevalent options from other large cities of India such as Mumbai and New Delhi. Upon arrival, cost-effective taxis and buses are accessible for the road journey to Shillong.

By Train

For the audacious or those who enjoy road travel, one of the finest ways to reach Shillong is by road. The hill station is well linked to all foremost north-eastern states, with National Highway 40 coming in from Guwahati and National Highway 44 to Tripura and Mizoram. The Shillong Bypass links the 2 highways.

Most travelers take the road trip from Guwahati, as it is a scenic 4-hour drive that can be taken via a host of transport systems involving state-run buses, luxury Volvos, private self-drive vehicles, taxis, or shared taxis.

The choices propose varying levels of ease to picking. Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) and Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) are the local bus companies, that leave from the Terminal in Beltota, Guwahati.

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