Scenic Places in Shillong That Will Take Your Breath Away
About Shillong
Shillong is a hill station, situated in the north eastern part of India. It is a city in Meghalaya. Shillong is very famous for its polished gardens at Lady Hydari Park.Popularly known as the Scotland of the East, Shillong is the first capital of the Indian state of Meghalaya. Featuring a subtropical highland climate, the weather in Shillong is pleasant, pollution free and cool throughout the year. Shillong houses a number of theatres, newspapers, magazines, local radio and television stations
If you are planning to visit somewhere, Shillong will be worth spending your money on. You can book your tickets in the luxurious busses through Redbus, and don’t forget to check Redbus offers or Redbus online booking while you book your tickets through its app or personal website.
A home to many waterfalls, this place also offers numerous natural spectacles.There are lots of places to explore in Shillong – Elephant falls, Ward’s Lake, Shillong view point – Laitkor peak, Spread Eagle falls and many more places to explore.
Why go there: Natural Views | Adventure Activities | British Architecture
Ideal for: Everyone
Trivia: Shillong is also called as “India’s Rock Capital” because the locals there have a great passion for music.
Things to bring back: Traditional Bamboo Handicrafts, Woollen Handmade Shawls, Bamboo Shoot Pickles
Places to visit in Shillong
There are numerous places to visit in Shillong, some of them are listed below, you must check out these places once:
8. Laitlum Canyons: A Naturophile’s Paradise
Truly what a clean and green place looks like, this hidden Canyon, nestled in the East Khasi Hills of Shillong, offers a bird’s eye view of the beautiful valleys. Shillong offers the serpentine stairways and a bewitching view of the hilltops. Walking on the rocky trails and narrow paths of this gorge, one can see the mesmerizing mist shrouded cliffs, offering a picture perfect view of the valley below. Once atop this beautiful canyon, you can also see an old ropeway pulley that transports food grains and commodities of daily use to the small hamlet – Rasong that is nestled deep in the lush green ridges of this gorge.
Distance from the City: 23 Km
Time required: 1-2 hours ideally, but you’ve got all the time when you’re blending in with the nature
Ideal for: Nature Lovers | Photo Fanatics | Experience Seekers| Adventure Seekers
Best time to visit: Throughout the Year
7. Umiam Lake: A Hot Favourite Of Adventure Buffs
Enveloped by the green hills and small islands, offering a scenic view of the East Khasi Hills, Umiam Lake is one of the most favorite picnic spots for all the nature lovers and adventure buffs. Originally a reservoir that stored water for hydroelectric power generation, this lake is now one of the prominent places to enjoy activities like kayaking, water cycling, scooting and boating. Once here, one can also enjoy canoe rides, rides of the river bus, sailing boats, speed boats and cruise boats too. Covering an area of 10 sq. km, Umiam Lake is also known as Big Water or Barapani.
Distance from the City: 15 Km
Time required: 1-2 hours
Ideal for: Nature Lovers | Experience Seekers | Fun Lovers | Adventure Buffs
Best time to visit: Throughout the Year
6. Elephant Falls: Waters As Clear As Milk
One of the most popular tourist destinations in Shillong, Elephant falls is a naturally crafted 2-tiered waterfall that lies in contrast to the thick greenery enveloping this place. Popularly known as Ka Kshaid Lai Pateng Khohsiew by the local Khasi people, this place was renamed by the British, who found it difficult to pronounce the local name. Believed to have been named after the elephant like rock formation near these waterfalls, which were later destroyed by earthquake, the cascading water is as clear as milk, gushing down its stony steps.
Distance from the City: 12 Km
Time required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Ideal for: Nature Lovers | Photo Fanatics | Fun Lovers
Best time to visit: July – October
5. Shillong View Point: A doting tourist destination
A perfect spot to capture the panoramic cityscape of Shillong, this tourist destination offers a bewitching spectacle of the sweeping vistas of the Shillong city below. Located at a high altitude of 1966 m above sea level, this peak is the highest point in the state of Meghalaya from where you can even have a view of the Himalayan Ranges and radar station of the Indian Air Force.
Distance from the City: 11.7 Km
Time required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Ideal for: Nature Lovers | Photo Fanatics | Experience Seekers
Best time to visit: Throughout the Year
4. David Scott Trail: A mesmerizing trekking experience
Being the oldest trekking route, this place is one of the most popular trekking routes in Meghalaya and has a calm & peaceful environment. Originally a bridle road, established by a British Officer, David Scott in the early 1800’s, this path served as a link for travelers traveling from Assam to Bangladesh. While trekking on this 16km route, you get to see the terrains of the East Khasi Hills, clear streams, beautiful meadows, sacred groves, traditional Khasi Village and the scenic valleys of the surrounding areas.
Distance from the City: 25.9 km
Time required: 4 – 5 hour
Ideal for: Nature Lovers | Photo Fanatics | Experience Seekers | Adventure Seekers
Best time to visit: March – June | October – February
3. Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians: A rendezvous with the spiritual side of Shillong
Also known as Cathedral Catholic Church Shillong, Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians is located amidst the lush green lawns of the city in Laitumkhrah. Designed in gothic architectural style, this church has been made with an idea to absorb the earthquake shocks by laying a strong foundation with sand filled in the rock trenches. With a modernist and symmetrical outer appearance adorned with high arches and stained glass windows, the church also sports indoor terracotta cross stands, a bronze monument of the cavalry and stained glass windows. The church is also a home to the grave of Shillong’s first Archbishop.
Distance from the City: 2.3 km
Time required: 30 minutes – 1 hour
Ideal for: Nirvana Seekers | Experience Seekers
Best time to visit: Throughout the Year (All days except Sunday)
2. Air Force Museum: An insight into the Defence Forces
Located inside the campus of Eastern High Command, the Air force Museum displays aircraft models, actual machines and technology demonstrations used by the Indian Air Force Eastern Command. Apart from this, uniform worn by the air force pilots, missies, bombs, armaments, ejection seat and other war weapons are also kept on display. Pictures of Indo-China war as well as Indo-Pakistan war are also part of the displays.
Distance from the City: 13.4 km
Time required: 1 – 2 hours
Ideal for: History Buffs | Experience Seekers
Best time to visit: Throughout the Year (All days except Sunday)
1. Jaflong Zero Point: Experience being on the edge
Watching the amalgam of International waters of India and Bangladesh is a sight worth a view at Jaflong Zero Point, Dawki. One can easily spot the borders of Bangladesh from this point. Famous for its collection of rolling stones, this place is a home to the Khasi Clan. Offering remarkable views of the Umngot River, this place is one of the most sought after tourist destinations in Shillong.
Distance from the City: 80.6 km
Time required: 1 – 2 hours
Ideal for: Experience Seekers | Photo Fanatics
Best time to visit: Throughout the Year
Here are some other offbeat places for you to visit in Shillong:
- The State Central Library
- Bishop & Beadon Falls
- Butterfly Museum
- Golf course
- The Grand Madina Masjid
- Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures
- Mawsynram
How to reach Shillong
Getting In
Flight | Bus
Nearest Airport:
- Shillong Airport
- Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport
Book your flights using: Paytm Flight Promo Code
Nearest Bus Stop:
The main interstate bus stand is located next to Guwahati Railway Station.
Book your bus using: Abhibus | Bobe
Where to stay Hotel Gateway Shillong | Hotel Knight Inn Shillong | Hotel Poinisuk
Avail great discounts claim amazing offers on your Hotel Bookings Using: Hilton Promo Code | Travelocity Promo Code | Tripadvisor Promo Code |
If you want to enjoy a perfect holiday in Shillong with Icanstay.
Nearby places to Visit
- Cherapunji (60 km)
- Nongriat (70 km)
- Mawsynram (56 km)
- Mawlynnong (85 km)
- Jakrem (64 km)
Hidden Gems
Visit Jaintia Hills, home to a 700 hundred years old Durga temple, a beautiful lake and rock garden.
CashKaro Recommendations
Attend the special nine-day devotions that are held every month, in front of the statue of Mother Mary and the Child Jesus at Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians.
Fun Ways to travel
The best way to travel in Shillong is on foot. The city is small and one can easily cover the distance walking around and exploring the hills and culture. If you wish to rent a car, rent one from: Avis Promo Code
