Shillong is the abode of clouds. If you want to flee away from the hustle-bustle of your hectic daily schedule, Shillong will be the ultimate destination for you. This breathtaking hill station is the gateway to Meghalaya. When you visit Shillong, you can explore the tallest waterfalls, caves, beautiful landscapes, and the amazing local people and their culture. Shillong is situated amidst the Garo and Khasi hills.
The incredible beauty and the excellent weather of this place drag visitors all across India. This post will discuss the best places to visit in Shillong that will drag you more towards this place.
List of the Top 10 Best Places to See in Shillong:
1. Elephant Falls
The Elephant Falls is one of the best places to visit in Shillong. Here, you can explore three layers of the falls. All these three layers of this waterfall are accessible from various vantage points.
The Britishers named this waterfall. This waterfall got its name as it has an elephant-shaped rock on one side of the fall. In 1987, this stone was washed away due to an earthquake. Here you can spend some excellent time amidst nature. Here, you can capture some excellent pictures.
- Things to Do: Enjoy the scenic beauty, photography, and picnics.
- Best Time to Visit: March to October.
- Timings and Fees: Open from 10 AM to 6 PM and INR 20 per person.
- How to Reach: Located 12 km from Shillong, the falls are accessible by taxi or local transport.
2. Laitlum Canyons
Laitlum Canyons is a less explored but one of the most picturesque tourist destinations in Shillong. Also, it is one of the best trekking destinations in Shillong. The Laitlum Canyons are situated almost 21 km south of Shillong. From Shillong, it takes almost 30 minutes to reach this place.
Here, you can enjoy some exotic views. The panoramic views of the majestic hills and valleys truly captivate all the tourists. To enjoy the best view of this place, you should visit this canyon during sunrise or sunset. You want to plan this trip with your friends or family.
- Things to Do: Trekking, panoramic views, photography.
- Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year, but best during the dry season.
- Timings and Fees: Open from 6 AM to 5 PM.
- How to Reach: Around 21 km from Shillong, best reached by car or taxi.
3. Don Bosco Museum
Don Bosco Museum is the home of North East India’s magnificent history and culture. This museum is the largest museum of Indigenous Cultures. It presents a cinematic experience for visitors and provides a glimpse into the livelihood of the inhabitants of the North-East. Scholars, authors, musicians, and lyricists from all across the country participate in competitive activities hosted on the museum’s premises regularly.
Another notable feature of the Don Bosco Museum is its hexagon design. It towers seven floors into Shillong’s skyline, with 16 well-designed galleries showcasing items, artworks, and characters vital to Northeastern culture. Therefore, it is known as Shillong’s architectural pride.
- Things to Do: Explore North-Eastern culture, history, and artifacts.
- Best Time to Visit: All year.
- Timings and Fees: Open from 9 AM to 5:30 PM (Monday-Saturday) and INR 50 per person.
- How to Reach: Located in the city, easily accessible by local transport.
4. Mawphlang
Mawphlang (Maw Phlang) is a land of legends, tributes, and distinct cultures. The town is noted for its beautiful woods and is located in the East Khasi Hills area. It is the Sacred Forest of Meghalaya, a lovely town 25 kilometers from Shillong.
Mawphlang is a town in the Khasi Hills named after one of the Khasi Hills’ monoliths. Mawphlang lets you enjoy a glimpse of the Khasi tradition, culture, and way of life.
- Things to Do: Sacred forest, Khasi heritage, trekking.
- Best Time to Visit: March to June.
- Timings and Fees: Open during daylight hours; nominal entry fee for the sacred forest.
- How to Reach: About 25 km from Shillong, accessible by taxi or local transport.
5. Shillong Peak
Shillong Peak is considered the highest point in Shillong, rising to a height of 1965 meters above sea level. If you want a multicoloured bird’s eye view of Shillong’s splendour, the towering Shillong Peak may be the best place to explore. Wrapped in dense fog, it is undoubtedly a key reason for Shillong’s moniker of “City of Clouds” and is thus one of the top Shillong tourist attractions.
Shillong Peak is a sliver of heaven that will give you a unique feeling of quiet holiness, appealing to believers, spiritualists, and nature enthusiasts. Therefore, it is a popular tourist destination in Shillong. The summit is considered the residence of ‘Leishyllong,’ Shillong’s supreme guardian deity, as per local folklore. The divinity is said to watch over and defend the city from the hill peak. Also, it houses the Indian Air Force’s radar station, which is situated on the Air Force installation.
- Things to Do: Viewpoints, photography, local stalls.
- Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year.
- Timings and Fees: Open from 9 AM to 5 PM and INR 30 per person.
- How to Reach: Located 10 km from Shillong, accessible by taxi.
6. Sweet Falls
Sweet Falls is a magical site for outdoor enthusiasts. At this place, you can enjoy the sound of rushing water rippling through deep green trees, accompanied by the melodic chirping of birds. It is one of Shillong’s most spectacular and beautiful streams. But it is also one of the most dangerous and accident-prone. It has witnessed a lot of terrible deaths and suicides from its 96-meter vantage point. As a result, bathing in its fast-flowing water is not recommended.
It is a beautiful and serene location that is adjacent to the Butterfly Museum and Mini Zoo. It is less frequented due to its spooky history and potentially unsafe circumstances. Locals think it is also a haunted location, adding to the mystery. With a smaller throng, you can take advantage of the quiet foliage and magnificent splendour surrounding this location.
- Things to Do: Sightseeing, photography.
- Best Time to Visit: October to March.
- Timings and Fees: Open during daylight hours and INR 70 for vehicle parking.
- How to Reach: Located 5 km from Shillong, best reached by taxi.
7. Air Force Museum
Shillong is home to many prestigious museums that showcase the state’s history, legacy, diverse culture, and innovations. The Air Force Museum, situated in the Upper Shillong, is one such wonderful museum that depicts the brave storey of India’s defence history.
The Air Force Museum complex, which includes a gift shop and a café, is Shillong’s most popular tourist attraction. This museum will enlighten you about the Indian Air Force and its courageous flying warriors and illustrious history.
- Things to Do: Explore aviation history and aircraft displays.
- Best Time to Visit: Throughout the year.
- Timings and Fees: Open from 9 AM to 5 PM (closed on Wednesdays and Sundays)
- How to Reach: To reach the Air Force Museum in Shillong, take a taxi or drive from the city center (like Police Bazar) towards Upper Shillong, approximately 10-12 km away.
8. Lady Hydari Park
Lady Hydari Lake is a stunningly beautiful lake that is a popular picnic site for nature lovers. It is a well-known tourist attraction in Shillong. It is designed in a Japanese style and is surrounded by willow, orchid, and rhododendron plants.
It is a wonderful amusement site to visit with family, lovely ponds, enticing grass, and a little zoo and museum. This lake overflows with ducks and wishes. It was named after Lady Hydari, the Governor of Assam’s wife and hence its first lady. Boating on the park’s ponds will provide you with a breathtakingly magnificent vista of foliage bursting with life.
- Things to Do: Gardens, zoo, children’s play area.
- Best Time to Visit: All year, especially in spring.
- Timings and Fees: Open from 8 AM to 5 PM
- How to Reach: Located in the heart of Shillong, easily accessible.
9. Police Bazar
Police Bazaar, also renowned as Khyndailad, is Shillong’s main retail district and the best spot to rent a hotel if you’re visiting the city. Shillong’s main market, Police Bazar, is a famous shopping destination for both residents and visitors. The bazaar is a mix of the conventional and the contemporary, the elegant and the classic. It contains a flea market portion that is pocket-friendly and attracts the most number of visitors due to its unique handicraft stores. Here, you can explore local clothing and accessories, junk jewelry, and fine Meghalaya items. Also, here you can enjoy big-brand stores, an assortment of eateries, and motels.
Shopping lovers and foodies alike go to the vibrant market. Many of the lanes in Police Bazaar are car-free zones, making them ideal for street shopping. The markets are well-designed, forming a large circle (chowk) amid the police bazaar, complete with trees and plants, and encircled by seven roads leading to other parts of the city.
- Things to Do: Shopping, local food, souvenirs.
- Best Time to Visit: All year, especially evenings.
- Timings and Fees: Open from 8 AM to 10 PM
- How to Reach: Centrally located in Shillong, easily reachable by foot or local transport.
10. Wankhar Entomological Museum
Wankhar Entomological Museum is one of the most well-known tourist attractions in Shillong. It is situated on Riatsamthiah Jaiaw, next to the Christian Academy School. It is a colourful, spectacular sight and a unique sightseeing attraction. The Wankhar Entomological Museum, commonly called the Butterfly Museum, is owned or operated by members of the Wankhar family.
This museum shelters over 1600 species of beetles, butterflies, moths, and other insects. Wankhar Entomological Museum regularly holds special breeding programmes to protect unusual and unique insects by making people aware of their preservation.
- Things to Do: View insect collections, and learn about entomology.
- Best Time to Visit: All year.
- Timings and Fees: Open on weekdays during business hours.
- How to Reach: Located in Shillong, accessible by local transport.
How to reach Shillong:
By Air: The nearest airport is Umroi Airport near Shillong, about 30 km away. However, more commonly used is the Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport in Guwahati, which is about 120 km away. From Guwahati, you can take a taxi or a bus to Shillong.
By Road: Shillong is well-connected by road. You can drive or take a bus from nearby cities like Guwahati. The journey from Guwahati to Shillong by road, through the picturesque NH-40, takes about 3-4 hours.
By Rail: The nearest railway station is in Guwahati. From there, you can continue your journey to Shillong by road.
Conclusion
So, these are the best tourist places in Shillong. Hopefully, the information mentioned above will be helpful for you while you plan a trip to Shillong. Come to Shillong and lose yourself in the incredible natural beauty of this place.
FAQs About Visiting Shillong:
1. What are the top 10 places to visit in Shillong?
Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak, Umiam Lake, Lady Hydari Park, Don Bosco Museum, Laitlum Canyons, Ward’s Lake, Police Bazar, Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, and Air Force Museum.
2. Which is the most beautiful place in Shillong?
Shillong Peak offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire city and is considered one of the most beautiful spots in Shillong.
3. Where can I find the best picnic spot in Shillong?
Lady Hydari Park and Ward’s Lake are popular picnic spots in Shillong, perfect for a day out with family and friends.
4. What is the best place to visit in Shillong for a one-day trip?
For a one-day trip, you can visit Umiam Lake, also known as Barapani, which is a scenic reservoir surrounded by lush greenery.
5. What are the must-visit places in Shillong?
Must-visit places include Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak, Umiam Lake, Lady Hydari Park, and the Don Bosco Museum.
6. Are there any haunted places in Meghalaya?
Yes, Sweet Falls in Shillong is rumored to be haunted and is known for its eerie atmosphere.
7. What are the timings for Lady Hydari Park in Shillong?
Lady Hydari Park is open from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM daily.
8. What local sightseeing options are available in Shillong?
Local sightseeing includes visits to Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak, Umiam Lake, Ward’s Lake, and the Police Bazar market.
9. What are some nearby places to visit from Shillong?
Nearby places to visit include Cherrapunji, Dawki, and Mawlynnong, which are known for their natural beauty and unique attractions.
10. What places should I see in Shillong in one day?
In one day, you can cover Umiam Lake, Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak, and Lady Hydari Park.
11. What is Shillong famous for?
Shillong is famous for its picturesque landscapes, waterfalls, and cultural heritage. It’s also known as the “Scotland of the East”.
12. Which are the best tourist spots in Shillong?
The best tourist spots include Shillong Peak, Elephant Falls, Umiam Lake, Lady Hydari Park, and Don Bosco Museum.
13. What are the best places for a couple to visit in Shillong?
Couples can enjoy the serene beauty of Umiam Lake, Ward’s Lake, and the tranquil environment of Shillong Peak.
14. What are the popular attractions in Shillong?
Popular attractions include Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak, Umiam Lake, Lady Hydari Park, and the vibrant Police Bazar.
15. Where can I find a good viewpoint in Shillong?
Shillong Peak is the best viewpoint, offering a stunning panoramic view of the entire city and the surrounding landscapes.
