April 20th, 2018 by Lipika Sharma

Breathtaking mountain peaks and crystal clear lakes make Shillong a place of tremendous beauty. Encircled by pine trees and clouds waiting to burst into a downpour, the soothing climate here makes it suitable for a visit in all the seasons.

The rolling hills around the town bestowed it with the title ‘Scotland of the East’. Known for its picturesque sights and traditions, a trip to this hill station is nothing short of a cultural extravaganza.

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Best Time to Visit Shillong

Summers are pleasant in between September to May making them ideal time to visit Shillong. Monsoons (June-August) bring heavy rainfall, making it difficult to travel during this time.

Places to Visit in Shillong

We have compiled up some of the best places to visit in shillong on your next trip.

(i) Dotted with a few islands and girdled by lush green East Khasi Hills, Umiam Lake proves to be a panoramic sight for nature lovers. Good for strolling and picnics, there are also opportunities for thrilling water sports like kayaking, boating, water cycling and scooting.

(ii) Shillong Peak lets you capture a 360-degree bird’s-eye view of the distant hills, waterfalls, Shillong city, and the plains of Bangladesh. This place is best suited for photography enthusiasts.

(iii) Elephant Falls is a great stopover destination with clear water, flowing like a sheet of milk over the dark rocks.

(iv) Mary Help of Christians Cathedral is one of the most famous churches in Shillong featuring high arches and stained glass windows housed in a white marble building. If you are visiting on a clear day, do not miss the superb vista of the Brahmaputra River and Himalayan Peaks from the Cathedral.

(v) Ward’s Lake is surrounded by cobblestone walkways, towering trees, shrubs and lawn grass. Take an evening stroll and watch dancing fountain shows by the lake.

(vi) Visit the Don Bosco Museum featuring art galleries, wide collections of handicrafts, artefacts, attires, ornaments, and weapons used by various tribes of North-east India.

(vii) Take a casual walk in the Lady Hydari Park comprising of a sprawling and manicured garden including beautiful rose beds and children’s play area.

(viii) Take a close look at a display of various rockets, missiles, miniatures of fighter planes, badges, rank medals and awards at the Air Force Museum.

(ix) All Saints Cathedral reflects a colonial style architecture along with wooden roofs surrounded by lawns all around.

(x) Breathe in fresh air, clear blue skies, waterfalls and lush greenery at Mawsynram. This tiny village in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya is reportedly the wettest place on Earth.

Where to Eat in Shillong

(i) Hit Cafe Shillong for its vegetarian momos, delightful shakes and steaks.

(ii) Choose the trendy Ginger Restaurant in Hotel Polo Towers for a comfortable dining experience and delicious Indian and Continental cuisine.

(iii) La Galerie in Hotel Centre Point serves lip-smacking Indian, Chinese and Continental food.

Where to Shop in Shillong

(i) You can buy a variety of regional specialities from the Lewduh Bara Bazar including seasonal vegetables, fruits, exotic spices, and handicrafts.

(ii) Lanes of Police Bazar are filled with street shops selling Bamboo and cane decor pieces, tribal art products, traditional Khasi dresses, trendy headgear and hand-woven shawls.

Marked by parks bright with flowers and rills, steep winding lanes, charming cottages and a vibrant presence of folk culture and music, Shillong is the place to have a spectacular vacation for culture vultures.

How to Reach Shillong

If you’re travelling by air, you can fly to Guwahati which has the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. This is located approximately 115.1 kilometres away from Shillong. The journey is very nice indeed. There is also the smaller Umroi Airport which is 39 kilometres away from Shillong. Taxis/Cabs are readily available to help you reach Shillong from either of the two airports.

If you’re traveling by train, you can try accessing the Guwahati Railway Station which is situated around 96.3 kilometres away from Shillong. In similar fashion, you will have to board a cab/taxi from here. There are several buses that ply between Shillong and Guwahati as well along with many MTC (Meghalaya Transport Corporation) buses.

The journey between Guwahati and Shillong usually takes around 2 ½ to 3 hours depending on the road conditions.

What Shillong Offers

What Shillong offers above everything else is a state of peace, calm and serenity. This is one of the most beautiful places you will ever visit, with its glittering waterfalls and the enchanting landscape all around. There are pristine lakes where you will lose yourself in the harmonious melody of the gurgling water and surrounding majestic mountains along with several fabulous viewpoints and of course, the highest point in Shillong which is called the Shillong Peak. There is of course, the Shillong Golf Course with 18 holes to boot!

Shillong is great for shopping and dining and you will love the experience at the Lewduh Market where there are several lip-smacking dishes, handicrafts, shawls and other garments on offer. Tourist places in Shillong offers travel experiences for nature lovers.

 

About Lipika Sharma

Fast learner, slow eater with an itch for travel and fashion. Always ready for long drives, offbeat destinations and cake. Often sarcastic, mostly joking. Still learning how to be a morning person.