Shillong, Meghalaya

        Shillong has beautiful lakes and waterfalls, and is set in pine forests and green mountains. It is a popular hill-station which the British used to call the Scotland of the East. The city is situated at an altitude of 1496 m. Shillong is said to derive it's name from the deity Shyllong whose dwelling is said to be on the peak overlooking the town, Shillong Peak.c

Best time to visit: The best season to visit Shillong is during October to May.

Climate:
Summers: The temperature varies from 23 degree Celsius.

Winters: The temperature varies from 4 degree Celsius.

Suggested clothing:
Summers: Cottons and light woolens.

Winters: Heavy woolens.

How to reach there:
Shillong is 3719 km from Thiruvanathapuram, 3025 km from Srinagar, 2502 km from Shimla, 487 km from Agartala, 2698 km from Ahmedabad, 3120 km from Bangalore, 2148 km from Bhopal, 1731 km from Bhubaneshwar, 2947 km from Mumbai, 1251 km from Calcutta, 2383 km from Chandigarh, 727 km from Darjeeling, 2134 km from Delhi, 725 km from Gangtok, 100 km from Guwahati, 2554 km from Hyderabad, 520 km from Imphal, 514 km from Itanagar, 2164 km from Jaipur, 410 km from Kohima, 1610 km from Lucknow, 2929 km from Chennai, and 3266 km from Panaji.

Air: Guwahati is the nearest airport from where Shillong can be reached by bus or car. Daily buses also connect Shillong with Guwahati airport. Pawan Hans Helicopters Ltd, under the aegis of the Government of Meghalaya, has commenced regular helicopter flights connecting Shillong and Tura to Guwahati. For more information contact :- Pawan Hans Helicopter Ltd., Safadarjung Airport, New Delhi. Tel :- (011)-4632273, Fax :- 011-4602596, 4611801, Mumbai Office Tel :- (022)-6106210, Fax :- 022-6113812. 

Rail: Guwahati is the nearest railhead and is well-connected to the rest of the country. 

Road: Both Deluxe and ordinary bus services are available.  Meghalaya Road Transport also run regular bus services in Meghalaya. 

What to see:
The Butterfly Museum: It is at Wankhar and Co, Riatsamthiah, who have started breeding butterflies as a conservation measure and for their commercial activity. The museum has a good display of mounted butterflies and beetles from India and abroad. 

Jaintia Hills: also have some of the most beautiful cave.  Krem Um-Lawan is a beautiful cave of the Eocene Age.  It has numerous cataracts and waterfalls.  It is presently the longest (6381 m) and deepest (106.8 m) cave in the Indian sub-continent.  Krem Kotsati has 8 entrances and it length is 3650 m.  Krem Lahsing is a massive cave measuring 50 m wide and 40 m high.  Its length is 2650 m. 

Garo Hills: is known for its abundance of wild life and natural sites.  Siju-Dobkhakol is the third largest cave in the Indian sub-continent.  It contains some of the finest river passage to be found any where in the world.  It is the most researched cave in India and home to innumerable bats.  Tetengkol-Balwakol is the second largest cave in the Indian sub-continent.  It literally means cave of dwarfs with inverted feet.  The small and insignificant circular entrance of 1 metre diameter hides a large cave 5334 m long.  Dobhakol Chibe Nala (1978 m) and Bok Bak Dobhakol (1051 m) are the other big caves. 

Ward Lake: is a horse shoe shaped water body set in a landscaped botanical garden and popular for boating.  It is only 2 minutes walk from the Police bazaar. 

The Botanical Garden and a Museum: is adjoining the lake.  Lady Hydari Park is about a km from the lake. It has been designed like a Japanese garden.  The garden also has the pine native to the area, Pinus khasiana. 

The Crinoline Water falls: has a swimming pool surrounded by orchids, potted bonsais and a rock pool with reeds and water lilies. 

What to shop:
Bara Bazaar is shoppers delight.  Authentic local crafts and tribal people in colourful dresses can be seen here.

Tourists Info: Information relating the to the state and tourism can be obtained from:

• Tirot Singh Syiem Road,
  Police Bazar, Shillong, 
  Tel. No. (0364) 225632. 
• Director of Tourism,
  M.T.C.Building, Police Bazar, Shillong, 
  Tel. No. (0364) 226054. 
• Managing Director,
  M.T.D.C. Limited, Polo Road, Shillong, 
  Tel. No. (0364) 222731.

Around the city:
Shillong Peak: is about 10 km away from which the city derives its name.  It is 1960 m high.  It is revered as the abode of gods and offers excellent views of the mountain range around.  It is the highest point in the state. 

Sohpetbneng Peak: is 1343 m high and 20 km from Shillong.  It is regarded as sacred by the Hynniewtrep people. It is set amidst a beautiful scenic view against the backdrop of a sacred forest. 

Central Museum: Lachumiere has ethnographic and archaeological objects. 

Tribal Research Institute: Mawlai has indigenous specimens and articles of the tribal people.  Meghalaya is a treasure trove of Nature with its many waterfalls, caves, unique flora and fauna. 

Elephant Falls: is about 12 km and is a famous scenic spot with two high falls surrounded by fern covered rocks.  This tend to get dry during the period of November to May. 

Bishop and Beadon Falls: both cascade down the same escarpment into a deep valley, a substantial mass of water dissolving into misty sparks.

Umiam Lake: also called Barapani, is only 16 km away and is an attractive spot for picnics.  You can enjoy fishing and other water sports such as boating, sailing, water skiing and water scooter. 

Mawsmai: has high water falls, and offer beautiful scenery.  But the falls tend to dry up during the winter. 

Zonal Anthropological Museum: Lachumiere, has artifacts and other craft objects pertaining to the tribal cultures.  Caves located in almost all the districts of the state add to the abundance of natural beauty of Meghalaya.  It probably has more caving potential than any other state in India.  These caves mainly stalactite and stalagmite caves of various formations are truly nature's gift and wonder.  There are over 200 caves in the state, many of which have not been explored and surveyed.  Five of them have the distinction of being the longest known caves in the Indian sub-continent. 

Jowai: is the headquarter of the Jaintia Hills district.  It is a picturesque town circled by the majestic Myntdu river, situated 64 km away from Shillong. 

Thadlaskein Lake: is 56 km from Shillong.  According to a legend, it was dug with the ends of bows by members of 290 clans of U Sajjar Niangli, a rebel general of Jaintia Raja, to commemorate the great exodus of the clans, now mainly settled in the Ri Bhoi and West Khasi Hills districts. 

Nartiang: is 65 km from shillong, was the summer capital of the Jaintia Kings.  Huge monoliths form the striking landmark of the village.  It is said to have been erected by Mar Phalyngki, a goliath of yore.  The Nartiang menhir measure 27 feet in height above the ground, 6 feet in breadth and 2 feet 6 inches in thickness.  The monoliths represent the megalithic culture of the Hynniewtrep people.  A 500 year old temple of Durga is another attraction at Nartiang. 

Syndai village: is dotted with a number of caves and caverns, used as hide-outs during war times between Jaintia Kings and foreign intruders. 

Tura: is the headquarter of the Garo Hills.  It is 323 km from Guwahati and situated at an altitude of 657 m above sea level.  The highest point is Nokrek Peak with elevation of 1,412 meters. 

Balpakram is a National Wildlife Park: about 167 km from Tura. 

Naphak Lake: is located at a distance of 112 km from Tura.  It is ideal for fishing and bird watching with the river Simsang flowing nearby. 

Siju Caves: are the famous limestone caves of Siju.  It is located near Naphak Lake and the Simsang Game Reserve. 

Cherrapunjee (Sohra): 56 km from Shillong, situated in one of the rainiest rain belt in the world,1300 m above sea level. A pleasant drive to see roaring waterfalls leaping into deep gorges, including the famed Nohsngithiang falls. The town is also famous for it's limestone caves and orange honey. Centre of Khasi culture and literature, it also has the oldest Presbyterian Church and also an establishment of the Ramakrishna Mission. Krem Mawmluh cave is situated approximately half a kilometer west of Cherrapunjee. This cave has a five river passage with impressive proportions.  Its length is 4503 m and is currently the 4th longest in the Indian sub-continent. Krem Phyllut and Krem Soh Shympi are the other two world famous caves with lengths 1003 m and 760 m respectively.  Krem Dam is the largest sandstone cave in the Indian sub-continent with a length of  1297 m. 

Mawsynram: 56 km from Shillong,a popular health resort having hot springs of sulphur water, believed to have curative medicinal properties.

Ranikor: 140 km from Shillong,it is a scenic spot and an angler's paradise of carp and masheers.

Dawli: 96 km from Shillong, is a border town, where one can have a glimpse of the neighbouring country of Bangladesh. The colourful annual boat race during spring at the Umgot river is an added attraction.

Mairang: 40 km from Shillong, is home of the legendary U Tirot Sing Syiem, who spearheaded a war against British invaders.

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