Shillong- ‘Abode of Clouds’
The capital of Meghalaya, Shillong is situated in the north-eastern part of India and is called the ‘Scotland of the East’ due to the rolling hills around the town, similar to Scotland Highlands.
Spreading across 64.36 sq. km and a population of 1.4 lakh, Shillong is a natural marvel— with majestic mountain peaks that provide a breath-taking view of the city, beautiful waterfalls and serene lakes. Shillong showcases a colourful and vibrant lifestyle with cultural traditions since it is home to Khasi, Jaintia and Garo hill tribes.
Things to do in Shillong
A trip to the hexagonal-shaped Don Bosco Museum, enjoying the water sports or simply appreciating nature's wonder at Umiam Lake, trekking on the David Scott's trail and horse riding at Shillong Peak are a few things that you cannot miss when on a trip to this beautiful city.
Tourist attractions in Shillong
Laitlum Canyons offers beauty as far as your eyes can see and it is also often described as enchanting. You can soak into nature in Lady Hydari Park. Mawphlang is a beautiful village, home to a sacred forest and Ward's Lake is perfect for a peaceful picnic. All of them are major tourist attractions in the enchanting city of Shillong.
Places to shop in Shillong
A wide range of souvenirs are offered by shops in Shillong for you to take back as a memory. Lewduh or Bara Bazaar offers exotic spices and handicrafts, while Police bazaar offers winter wear and gadgets.
Best time to visit Shillong
Shillong promises pleasant weather from September to May and this period is the best time to visit the hill station.
Modes of transport
You can use buses, which are of two types – City bus and Bazar bus. The city bus is for tourists or taxis to commute within the hill station. Renting a car for the whole day is also an option.
Weather in Shillong
Summers are from March to June with temperatures varying between 15°C and 24°C and is the perfect period to plan adventure trips and sight-seeing. Shillong experiences moderate to heavy monsoon from June to September, during which the waterfalls are a beauty to witness. Winters, from October to February are cold with temperatures dropping to as low as 2°C.
Airport in Shillong
The official airport of Shillong, Umroi Airport or Shillong Airport (IATA-SHL) is located 30 km away from central Shillong. It has a single terminal with the capacity of handling 100 incoming and outgoing passengers.