Shillong, also referred to as the “Abode of the Clouds” is a hill-station in the north eastern part of India & the capital of Meghalaya. Situated at an average height of 1500 meters above sea level, Shillong indeed is one of the hidden gems of India. The quaint township of Shillong was in operation as the civil station of the Khasi & Jaintia hills from as early as 1864 and chosen as headquarters due to Shillong’s convenient location between the Brahmaputra & Surma valleys. Till the 1970’s, Shillong was the seat of administration which included Sylhet, (currently in Bangladesh), Naga hills (presently Nagaland), Lushai hills (presently Mizoram) as well as Khasi, Jaintia & Garo hills. Only in 1972, Shillong started operating as the capital of Meghalaya.
How to Reach:
Shillong is well connected by both railways & bus/taxis. The cheapest and most preferred way to reach is also the same mentioned above. However, the nearest airport is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Aiport in Guwahati at a distance of nearly 100 Kms from Shillong. Bus services to Shillong are run by Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC). However, a shared taxi is much preferred for travelers to reach Shillong quickly.
Places to Stay & Getting Around:
The best place to visit Shillong is between October & April. Being the gateway to The entire hill township is adorned with many budget and luxury stay options, especially towards Police Bazaar. Some budget hostels include Youth Hostel, Marwari Basa Hotel, Lake View Inn among others. We chose Cafe Shillong Bed & Breakfast as our home-stay. Located in Lachumiere at about 1.5 Kms from Police Bazaar, it was one of the most beautiful properties we’ve visited. A British era bungalow transformed into a plush home-stay with modern facilities, Cafe Shillong B&B would certainly be recommended by us for all future travelers.
Places to visit in Shillong:
The best way to get around Shillong is on foot. However, these are a select few places we visited:
Umiam Lake
Elephant falls
Trip to Laitylum Canyons (offbeat)
Trip to the Garden of Caves (offbeat)
Ward’s Lake
Walking around the township, exploring the hustle and bustle of the crowded streets of Police Bazaar, relishing the hot piping food and raking in the fun, revelry and merriment provided by the Christmas weekend (Pro Tip: Plan your visit during the Christmas eve) gave us memories lasting for a lifetime.
Upon landing at Guwahati, we booked a private cab to be with us for our entire trip of the North east. The 2 hour 30 minute drive from Guwahati to Shillong is mesmerizing to say the least. Driving between the states of Assam & Meghalaya on both sides, lined with dense forests and numerous waterfalls peeping (mostly during monsoons) coupled with a well drawn out coverage of 4 lane highways – the journey with its twists and turns left us spellbound.
Our first pit-stop was to witness sunset over Umiam Lake – commonly known as Barapani. One of the largest man made reservoirs, the principal catchment area of the lake is spread well over 220 Sq. Kms. Umiam Dam which impounds the lake was built by the Assam State Electricity Board to store water for hydroelectric power generation. The Umiam Lake serves as a popular tourist destination due to the plethora of activities possible including kayaking, water cycling, boating amidst others.
Being in the far east, Sunsets are pretty early. After catching the sunset at Umiam Lake, we made our way to Shillong. And believe me, the last 10% of our journey – a mere 15 Kms took us almost 2 hours to complete due to serpentine queues, road blocks and traffic moving at a snail’s pace. Travelers are advised to keep additional time in mind while travelling in the peak season. Having had unprecedented delays from our place of origin (resulting from delay in take-off due to fog) to facing the huge surge of traffic over the last leg of our journey, we finally checked in to our home-stay almost 5 hours behind schedule. The oxygen rich air, sharp chilly winds post sunset, revelers merry-making in the spirit of Christmas and all properties decked up with tiny bulbs and a star – this made our tiredness less dominant. We quickly ordered some delicious Steaks and retired for the night.
Day 2
Post a heavy breakfast at our homestay, we headed out to explore some offbeat places in Shillong. Most of these day trip packages can be booked in advance with multiple cab drivers ferrying people around. We started off the day early (8 AM) and headed out directly to the Elephant Falls as our first pit stop.
Elephant Falls is a two tiered waterfall in Shillong, Meghalaya, although the original Khasi name still refers to this place as a Three-Tier waterfall. Situated at the outskirts of the city of Shillong, this is one of the most serene places to visit. The waterfall is the result of a mountain stream that drops over multiple levels, scything through the forested slope. The railed walkways begin at the head of the falls and continue to the bottom, ensuring that you not only see the magnificence of the falls from a close distance but also feel the spray of the cool water and the thunderous sound of the flow. The pool at the bottom of the falls is a tranquil spot where you can wade into the clear water at knee-level and get a nice picture with the giant cascade in the background. Do note: The waterfall does have some steep steps, so elders should take heed.
Laitlum Canyons is one of the best offbeat places to visit from Shillong. This is the perfect place to get wide, sweeping & picturesque views of the state of Meghalaya. The name 'Laitlum' literally means the 'End of the World' or the 'End of Hills'. Located about 45 KMs from the city of Shillong, this place is literally a paradise for nature lovers. Offering long, lush green & rocky terrain, the vast stretches of the canyons and green pastures are the closest to Scotland one can ever be. The best time to visit is in the afternoon since most of the morning this place is covered in fog. Some piping hot Maggi can be enjoyed at some small shops in the vicinity whilst enjoying the view. This exotic site is relatively less crowded and less commercial, thus offering a serene, secluded spot for some quiet, peaceful moments. The enveloping fog, the freshness of the mist, the calm and reticent surrounding along with a vibrant spectrum of hues that makes themselves conspicuous during sunrise and sunset, makes the place breathtakingly surreal.
Garden of Caves is another offbeat location located Enroute to Meghalaya. This 2.5-hectare park is surrounded by lush greenery and thick forests, providing visitors with an immersive experience of nature that is truly unforgettable. As you stroll through the winding paths of the park, you'll encounter ravishing caves, sparkling cascades, and magnificent seasonal waterfalls. The caves, formed by the natural erosion of limestone rock, are illuminated by the beams of sunlight that filter through the emerald greenery, creating a magical and mystical atmosphere.
The cascades and waterfalls of the Garden of Caves are equally impressive, providing visitors with a refreshing respite from the hot and humid weather of Cherrapunjee. The surrounding flora and fauna create a serene and peaceful environment, allowing visitors to relax and recharge in the lap of nature.
Overall, the Garden of Caves is a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to Cherrapunjee and the surrounding areas. With its unique natural beauty and immersive experience of nature, it is sure to leave a lasting impression on visitors. So come and explore the wonders of the Garden of Caves and discover the magic of Meghalaya's North East India.
With its charming wooden bridge and grassy slopes providing a serene lakeside resting place, Ward’s Lake is one of the most endearing attractions in Shillong town. A stone path encircles the small lake and highlights the immaculately maintained flower gardens along with the lofty trees that provide shade to visitors. More than a hundred years old, Ward’s Lake is named after William Ward, a Chief Commissioner from the British era. Paddle boating in the calm lake waters is a recommended activity. Grab a bite and a beverage at the restaurant overlooking the bridge. Ward’s lake is an ideal place to watch the world go by – from young couples to parents with their children, everyone converges here. Standing on the bridge that spans the lake and feeding the fish below is a favourite pastime.
Ward’s Lake is also known for its events which happen throughout the year. Come autumn and the cherry blossoms here will be in full bloom, providing memorable visuals and photo-ops. Next to the Ward’s Lake is the botanical garden – a collection of trees and plants that will interest botanists and horticulturists. A stone’s throw away from Police Bazaar, Ward’s Lake is a very easy landmark to visit.
At the end of the day spent in Shillong, we came back to our homestay for a good hearty dinner! Post the same, we retired to our rooms & began packing for the next part of our trip to Cherrapunji. Stay tuned for more....
For all budding travel enthusiasts out there, if you need our travel experiences straight into your inbox, do visit our page and subscribe to us. You can also follow us on Instagram and Facebook to get the weekly dose of travel experiences!!
* FIN *
Σχόλια