Top 15 Must Visit Places Around Shillong

Shillong is the most beautiful hill station in the northeastern part of India and the capital city of Meghalaya, which means “The Abode of Clouds”. The Capital city is well connected through daily flights and by roads with major National Highways from all major northeastern states.

There are list of popular tourist attractions in Shillong such as Lady Hydari Park and zoo, Don Bosco Museum, Kyllang Rock, Ward’s lake, Laitkor Peak, Air Force Museum and David Scott Trail.

Shillong Peak

Shillong Peak is the higest point of Shillong city, offers a panoramic view of the scenic countryside. Sohpetbneng Peak is another most spectacular places to visit in Shillong.

Elephant Falls

Elephant Falls is around 12 km from Shillong and the most famous tourist attractions of Shillong along with Shillong Peak and one of the most visited falls in the beautiful state of Meghalaya.

Umiam Lake

Umiam Lake is located 15 km from Shillong and a reservoir of Umiam dam, used to store water for hydroelectric power generation. The lake is now one of the major tourist attraction and must see tourist destination in Meghalaya and also popular destination for water sports near Shillong.

Laitlum Canyons (22 km)

Laitlum Grand Canyon of Meghalaya is the most picturesque tourist place near Shillong and one of the lesser known natural wonder of Meghalaya. Laitlum Canyons means “end of hills” and offers breathtaking view of gorges, valley and hill slopes of entire canyon also one of the best place to spot clouded leopard in India.

Cherrapunjee (54 km)

Cherrapunjee or Cherrapunji was the wettest place on Earth, now nearby Mawsynram village currently holds the record but Cherrapunji stil receives most rainfall in a month and holds two Guinness world records.

Mawsynram (61 km)

Mawsynram receives the highest rainfalls in India and currently holds the record of wettest place in the world. The area is also known for many natural caves and Stalagmite.

Mawjymbuin Cave (56 km)

Mawjymbuin Cave is situated in Mawsynram village and known for geological importance, natural wonder and unique stalagmites like shape of Shiva Lingam.

Mawsmai Cave (58 km)

Mawsmai Cave is located near Mawsmai village and one of the most popular attractions in Cherrapunji. There are list of longest and deepest caves in Meghalaya and the longest is Krem Liat Prah in the Jaintia Hills.

Mawlynnong (90 Km)

Mawlynnong is the cleanest village in Asia, known for its cleanliness, rainwater harvesting and ban of polythene. The village of Mawlynnong is located 90 km from Shillong and a picture perfect village in India.

Jowai (65 km)

Jowai is the most beautiful scenic place connected by roadways to Shillong, surrounded by the Myntdu river from three sides and most of the tourist spots includes Syntu Ksiar, Tyrchi Falls and Thadlaskein lake.

Dawki (82 km)

Dawki town is located on the border and famous for Dawki Bridge, Umngot river, Krystal clear water and one of the must visit place in Meghalaya.

Nohkalikai Falls (55 km)

Nohkalikai Falls is the tallest plunge waterfall in India (1115 feet), located near Cherrapunji and one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Meghalaya.

Nohsngithiang Falls (52 km)

Nohsngithiang Falls also known as Seven Sisters Falls is another beautiful waterfalls near Cherrapunji, located in Mawsmai village. The seven-segmented waterfall is one of the tallest waterfalls in India.

Living Root Bridges (66 km)

Living root bridges have been created in the state of Meghalaya by by the Khasi and Jaintia peoples and known to occur in the West Jaintia Hills and East Khasi Hills district. Living root bridges occur nearby Cherrapunji, Mawlynnong, Khonglah and around Laitkynsew villages.

Mawphlang Sacred Forest (26 km)

Mawphlang village is located 25 kilometers from Shillong city and home to Khasi Hills sacred groves, with list of amazing life of flowering plants, trees and butterflies. The Khasi tribe in Shillong has protected the forest and there are many medicinal trees in the forest such as Rudraksh tree and pitcher plants.

Out of The Blue: Nongkhnum Island

Nongkhnum Island is the largest river island in Meghalaya and second largest river island in India and Asia after Majuli river island of Assam. The Island is located 15 km from Nongstoin where Langshiang Falls is located near the village of Sangriang, around 95 km from Shillong and a must visit place in Meghalaya in 2020.