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Shillong – Scotland of the East

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Cool, misty and dense with fir and pine trees, Shillong (East Khasi Hills) is relatively a picturesque region ensconced between Bhutan, China, Myanmar and Bangladesh.

Capital of Meghalaya and home to the Khasis, Shillong is known for its salubrious climate and picturesque beauty. Also known as the ‘Scotland of the East’, Shillong is situated at an altitude of 4,908 feet above sea level.

Shillong is the place where the British moved to after they found Cherrapunji too wet. The rolling hills around the town reminded the European settlers of Scotland.

 

How to Reach:

Shillong is well connected by air and roads from Guwahati. Umroi Airport is the nearest airport. Shillong is just 104 kilometres away from Guwahati.

 

Places to visit in Shillong

 

Ward’s Lake

If you are in Shillong you cannot and should not miss the Ward’s Lake. Located in the heart of the city, this horse-shoe shaped lake is a popular spot to take a lazy walk or admire the green lawn dotted with multi-coloured flowers.

The lake is named after Sir William Ward, the then Chief Commissioner of Assam.

There is also a Botanical Garden near the lake which has various orchids, apart from the several other varieties of flora that adorn it. The bridge in the midst of the lake is the perfect place to enjoy a view of the whole lake, and even feed the fish!

 

Lady Hydari Park

A popular spot both with locals and tourist, Lady Hydari Park is located in the heart of the city with an abundance of plants and flowers. The best grown blossoms, roses and red rose beds of various colours are the highlights of the park.

Lady Hydari Park derives its name from the wife of the first Governor of Assam, Lady Hydari. Sprawling over an area of more than a kilometre, the park also features a mini zoo that comprises 73 species of birds, 140 of reptiles and other mammals. Besides, the park also houses a deer abode within it.

 

Shillong Peak

Giving you a panoramic view of the beauty of Shillong, Shillong Peak will make you witness a spectacular sight, unique and exquisitely charming. Standing at an altitude of 1,965 metres above the sea level, this peak enjoys the tag of being the highest point in the state of Meghalaya.

Shillong peak provides a breathtaking view of the city and the star-studded night along with the city lights are a treat to the eyes. An ideal retreat for visitors, the location also features a radar station of the Indian Air Force.

 

Umiam Lake

Experience the serenity of a beautiful, placid lake with the thrill and excitement of water-sports – all in one place!

Umiam Lake is among the popular tourist spots and is 17 km from Shillong. Resembling to the lakes of Scotland, the beautiful lake was formed as a part of building a reservoir. Also known Barapani, this lake is an ideal place to experience the natural splendour of Shillong. The location is frequented by thousands of travellers for kayaking, water cycling, scooting and boating.

 

Elephant Falls

If you are on a sight-seeing spree of the city, make sure this place is right at the top of your itinerary. Elephant Falls is perhaps the most popular tourist destination in Shillong.

The serene fall is a collection of three smaller falls that combine together to form the stream that falls over fern-covered rocks. The Khasi tribe named it Ka Kshaid Lai Pateng Khohsiew, meaning ‘Three Steps Water Falls’.

 

Spread Eagle Falls

Lose yourself in the splendid beauty of the green forests and the gushing white water at the widest falls in Shillong. Cutting through rocky terrains, meandering amidst the green forests of Meghalaya, Spread Eagle Falls or Urkaliar, spreads its water over a wide region, making it one of the most widest waterfall in the region.

Surrounded by steep, beautiful hills, Spread Eagle Falls looks like an eagle with wings spread. So, make sure you have your camera to capture the scenic beauty!

 

Botanical Survey of India Orchidarium

Botanical Survey of India Orchidarium, located near Ward’s Lake, is one of the must visit place for nature lovers while in Shillong. The garden has a rare collection of exotic orchids and plantations.

The Orchidarium displays not only a collection of rare orchids but also the government’s effort to preserve these rare plantations that have almost become extinct. Also, it has a mini aviary with a collection of rare and colorful species of birds.

 

Shillong Catholic Cathedral

Built on sand instead of rock, this beautiful church is also shock-proof! Shillong Catholic Cathedral is one of the most ancient churches of the region. The largest church of the province, also known as Cathedral Church of Mary Help of Christian, was built by the Germans in 1913.

Situated on top of an emerald-coloured hill, the tall arches of the church and its stained glass installations will mesmerise any tourist visiting Shillong.

 

Laitlum Canyons

Surrender yourself to the mysterious beauty of fog, which seems to be connected with the clouds above. When in Shillong, be close to nature, for you will never see any place which has so much of natural beauty in and around it.

Yes, Laitlum Canyons is one of those spots where you can have a bird’s eye view of the city of Shillong. The green hills, the orchids, the bamboo plants, the ‘cottony’ clouds – all from one point.

Laitlum Canyons is not at all crowded and commercialised like other tourist places in Shillong and is absolutely a paradise for trekkers and nature lovers.

 

Butterfly Museum

So you thought you could find butterflies only in gardens? Think again!

Shillong’s Butterfly Museum houses 1,600 species of butterflies, moths and insects of distinct patterns and colours from different parts of the region.

In addition to butterflies and moths, visitors can also spot some rare species of beetles. Furthermore, study-oriented museum also provide a rare insight on the life span and habitat of fragile species.

 

Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures

A three-in-one institution combining a museum with a research and publication centre, for promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of Northeast India, Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures is a unique fusion of all the sister states under one roof.

The museum features seven storey building with 17 galleries displaying artefacts, paintings and fibreglass items. Besides, the visitors can witness some of the rare dance forms of the Northeast at the top most storey of the museum.

 

Shillong Golf Course

One of the largest golf course in Asia, Shillong Golf Course will steal your breath with the stunning beauty that surrounds it!  It is one of the oldest and best natural golf course in the world is considered to be the “Gleneagle of the East” by the United States Golf Association and Museum.

Located at an altitude of 52000 feet, Shillong Golf Course is India’s first 18 hole golf course. Due to out-of-bounds streams crossing the paths all around the course, the course pose a challenge, even for the seasoned golfers.

 

Mawlynnong Village

Known as the cleanest village of India, Mawlynnong Village is surrounded by emerald-green trees and a variety of flora, all adding to the beauty of this place.

This picturesque village is a change from the busy and congested city-scape. With colourful orchids flowering amidst the green leaves of trees, you will be greeted with the most beautiful enchanting sight of nature.

 

Mawsynram

Making your way a bit deep inside Shillong, you can see villagers using  grass to soundproof their huts from deafening rain; where clouds are a familiar sight inside homes and a suitably rusted sign tells visitors they are in the ‘wettest place on earth’.

Yes, that’s Mawsynram – a village in the East Khasi Hills which is reportedly the wettest place on earth with an average annual rainfall of 11,872 millimetres.

Almost 56 kms away from Shillong, Mawsynram is also known for the Giant Stalagmite formation shaped into ‘Shivalinga’ inside a cave known locally as ‘Mawsymbuin’.

 

Cherrapunji

Cherrapunji has several reasons to claim. It is the second wettest place on planet and the only place in India to receive rain throughout the year. About 50 kms southwest of Shillong, the town is also known as Sohra and Churra.

Cherrapunji, which means ‘the land of oranges’, is at an altitude of 4290 ft and one can see the plains of Bangladesh from the cliffs. Cherrapunji receives a staggering 11,777 mm of rainfall annually. The town receives both south-west and north-east monsoon.

Cherrapunji is also famous for its live bridges and is also a good place for trekking. Apart from all these, one can witness the spectacular Seven Sisters Falls, Mawsmai Cave and the famous Nohkalikai Falls.

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