Shillong - Scotland of the East
Shillong is a splendid hill station located in the foothills of Patkai hill range, which is a sub-mountain range of the Himalayas. Spanning a land area of 64.3 sq km, it is situated in Northeast India. It has a population of 1.43 lakh and is the capital of Meghalaya. It is known as the Scotland of the East as it resembles the Scottish Highlands. It is a wondrous tourist spot to unwind and escape the hot summer weather.
Things to do in Shillong
It is a beautiful hilltop with lots of nature to behold like lakes, waterfalls, limestone caves and dense forests. Shillong is known for its famous local delicacies like momos, tungtab and tarumbai and dohneiiong. Trekking at Laitlum Grand Canyon is another thing you should put on your bucket list when you are here.
Tourist attractions in Shillong
The most popular tourist spot in Shillong is the Shillong Peak. There are many waterfalls like Elephant Falls, Sweet Falls and Beadon Bishop Falls that you must visit. Other places to visit include the Cathedral of Mary Help and the Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures.
Places to shop in Shillong
Police Bazaar, Dawki Market, Bara Bazar, and Polo Bazaar are some of the popular markets in Shillong. If you are interested in buying local handicraft items, then Purbashree Emporium is the place to be.
Best time to visit Shillong
The ideal time to visit Shillong is from September to May when the climate is pleasant and refreshing.
Modes of transport
The common means of transport here are buses and taxis. Since this is rough hilly terrain, rail transport is not available in Shillong, but you can travel to Guwahati in case you wish to travel via a train.
Weather in Shillong
Shillong is generally cool and rainy due to its geographic location. Summers have the pleasant temperature of about 23oC and frequent rain showers. Monsoons here are between June and August, bringing a good deal of rainfall.
Airport in Shillong
The civilian airport of Shillong, which is located 30 km away from the city, is known as Umroi Airport (IATA: SHL).