Tips to Know Before Visiting Shillong in Northern India

Wikimedia Commons by: Sankarshan Mukhopadhyay

Shillong is a Hill station in northeastern India and is the capital city of Meghalaya. Here’s a fun trivia fact, during the British rule of India, it was named ‘Scotland of the East’ because the surrounding hills reminded them of Scotland.

Shillong is a beautiful place situated on the Shillong plateau. It’s situated in the middle of mountain ranges.  It has a very pleasant climate, although it can be cool and rainy throughout the summer. Shillong is surrounded by forested hills on all sides.  It’s a place filled with a tribal and indigenous culture that beckons travellers to explore. It’s a place perfect for those who love to discover new cultures and demographics.

There are many interesting places to visit in Shillong to make the most out of your vacation.

Places to visit on your trip to Shillong

Shillong Golf Course

The Shillong golf course is one of the largest golf courses in Asia. It has attractive greenery and lush trees surrounding the areas of the golf course. It is called ‘Gleneagles of the East’ because of its attractive scenery. Previously it was a nine-hole golf course, but now it’s transformed into an 18 hole course. It’s a very popular spot amongst Golfing enthusiasts.

Captain Williamson Sangma State Museum

Captain Williamson Sangma State Museum portrays the culture of the Meghalaya state. It is named after the founder, chief minister of Meghalaya, Capt. Williamson Sangma. It displays the cultural and lifestyle aspect of the Khasi and Jaintias tribe, which are native to Meghalaya. The museum gives a very detailed and exciting insight into the Khasi, Jaintias and Garo tribes. This museum expands our ideas of lifestyle and culture in the area. It helps us appreciate the cultures we see in our country.

Shillong Peak

Shillong peak, the highest vista in Shillong, is an easy trek to scale. During this trek, you can enjoy the scenic beauty of the hills. You can witness the panoramic view of the Shillong city area and all the mountain ranges surrounding the plateau at the very peak.

Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures

Don Bosco centre is designed to conserve different cultures and indigenous communities; to bring peace and harmony and spread awareness of such cultures. It also aims to bring concord amongst these tribes and modern life. This centre covers many aspects of culture in their different centres. This will be an educational tour for everyone visiting. It brings a sense of patriotism and oneness amongst everyone beholding the sight of these galleries. It expands our horizons into accepting diversity.

Elephant Falls

Wikimedia Commons by: Lavenderguy

Elephant falls is a two-tiered waterfall situated on the outskirts of Shillong city. It was named so because there was an elephant-shaped rock near the falls. Unfortunately, the rock can’t be found today because it was destroyed in an earthquake. The area around the Falls is fully covered in lush trees and forests. It’s a very secluded and quaint fall. The first fall is very broad and covered in trees, but the third fall is tall and looks spectacular in its descent. The view of the clear sky and waterfall is perfect for watching.

Umiam Lake

This lake is situated in the hills of Shillong. It came into being by creating a dam over the Umiam river. There are many places for recreation around the lake that you can go to. You can partake in water sports like boating, kayaking, and water cycling. There’s also a park called Lum Nehru park by the river.

Wards Lake

Wikimedia Commons by: Nazmul Ahmed

Wards lake is situated in the middle of Shillong city. It has also come to be known as Pollock lake. It is a horseshoe-shaped lake with a botanical garden surrounding it. It’s a good place to relax from all the activities that you’ve taken part in Shillong. Just looking at this beautiful artificial lake is peaceful. In the lake, you can find boating facilities and a cafeteria.

Tips to know before you visit Shillong

The weather in Shillong is very unpredictable, so it’s recommended to carry an umbrella or a raincoat with you on your trip. Even in summer, it rains, so it’s better to be prepared for anything that transpires.

• On your trip to Shillong, you’re going to be confronted with many cultures. Make sure you soak it all in. It’s going to be an educational as well as an enjoyable trip to Shillong.
• Don’t forget to bring the essentials like woollen or warm clothes, medical supplies, some snacks and the right equipment like shoes, jackets, gloves to make it easier for you to partake in several activities.
• So these are the tips you should consider before going to Shillong.

Honestly, it’s a very tourist-friendly place. So you’ll enjoy your visit to Shillong. You can choose Shillong to wind off all your stress faced in daily life in the cities. It’s a cool, contemplative place to visit. So have a great trip to Shillong, and make sure to have fun on your journey, everyone.

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About The Author:  Sneha is a content writer at Banbanjara, India’s best travel website. She is currently studying, doing her bachelor’s in commerce. She’s passionate about writing and hopes to make a change through her writing. She’s an avid reader and an ameture artist and tries to bring forth quality content for all her readers.