SHILLONG-SCOTLAND OF EAST

Shillong often referred as “Scotland of East” due to its striking resemblance with Scottish highlands. The city gets its name from “Lei Shyllong” an idol worshiped in Shillong peak. This beautiful, romantic city surrounded by pine conifers and pineapple srubs is a must go destination in northeast.

The picturesque sight of the hill station with exciting mountain peaks, numerous waterfall, crystal clear lakes, museum and zoo are the major attraction of tourist both from homeland and abroad. The capital city of Meghalaya is also famous for its tradition and the tribes of Khasi, Garo and Jaintia add colour to the city.

The best time to visit the city is between June to September when waterfall looks even more beautiful and the mountains are greener.

HOW TO REACH

By Air: Shillong Airport at Umroi connects only to Kolkata. Else the nearest airport to shilling is in Guwahati, Assam.

By Road: Guwahati-Shillong Road connects the two cities and is lined with pineapple shrubs and pine trees offering beautiful sight for a road trip. There are busses every half an hour to and from Guwahati.

PLACES TO VISIT

1. Shillong Peak

Shillong peak is the hightest peak in Shillong of about 1961 meter in altitude. A telescope is available at the peak to get bird’s eye view of the mesmerizing city. It offers breath taking panoramic view of entire city, the mountains, waterfalls and even Bangladesh terrain. A ritual is performed every year to worship “Leh Shyllong” at the top of the peak at a site called U Shulong which is considered to be sacred.

2. Elephant Falls

Elephants falls is one of the most beautiful, breath taking and huge waterfall situated near Shillong and is one of the most famous waterfalls in northeast. The Britishers named the waterfall due to the presence of a large elephant-shaped rock on one side of the fall. However the stone got disintegrated and washed away during an earthquake. The Elephant falls is a “Three Step Fall” with three consequent falls in succession. The view of this fall is best during monsoon when you can just pack you basket and go for a picnic with friends and family.

3. Mawlynnong

Mawlynnong is a village in East Khasi Hill district of Meghalaya and it is declared Asia’s cleanest village in India. The village is famous for it cleanliness and women-centric society. The beauty of this place is just mesmerising with greenery, cleanliness and adobe of cloud. There is also a living tree root bridge, which is not discovered much but it is just mind blowing creation of the forefathers of Khasi Tribes.

4. Ward Lake

Ward lake is famous tourist attraction in Shillong. It is an artificial horse shoe shaped lake beneath the Raj Bhavan with a little bridge over the lake. It is famous for boating and it’s a nice place to unwind. The lake abound many fishes and feeding fish from the bridge is one of the favorite past time of the tourist. The lake is surrounded by lush greenery and lined by seasonal flowers.