Shillong travel guide

Scotland of the East

Shillong, the capital hill station of Meghalaya, is known for its cool climate, scenic lakes, waterfalls, colonial architecture, vibrant markets, and rich Khasi culture, making it one of Northeast India’s most popular urban hill destinations for nature, culture, and relaxed exploration.

Best time to visit Shillong

Oct–Apr is the main season, with Nov–Mar dry and clear. May–Sep brings heavy monsoon rain, but the waterfalls around Shillong are then at their fullest.

Month	Verdict	Temperature	Rain	Crowds	What to expect
January	good	6–15 °C	15 mm	medium	Coldest month; sunny days but cold nights, so pack warm clothes
February	best	8–18 °C	15 mm	low	Cool, dry and clear; comfortable for walking around town
March	best	11–21 °C	45 mm	medium	Mild, mostly dry and sunny
April	good	14–23 °C	130 mm	medium	Pleasant days with pre-monsoon showers on some days
May	mixed	16–24 °C	240 mm	high	Rain on most days; summer holiday crowds escaping the plains' heat
June	mixed	17–24 °C	420 mm	high	Monsoon in full swing; waterfalls roar, landslides can slow hill roads
July	mixed	18–24 °C	400 mm	medium	Wet and misty; waterfalls at full strength
August	mixed	18–24 °C	330 mm	medium	Monsoon continues; green hills and frequent showers
September	mixed	17–24 °C	270 mm	medium	Rain easing but still frequent; falls still strong
October	good	14–22 °C	200 mm	high	Monsoon ends; clear spells and fresh greenery; Puja holiday crowds
November	best	10–19 °C	25 mm	medium	Dry, clear and mild; good for sightseeing and day trips
December	best	7–16 °C	5 mm	high	Cool, dry and sunny; Christmas is a big celebration in this largely Christian city

How many days to spend in Shillong

Two days cover Ward's Lake, the Don Bosco Museum, the Shillong Peak viewpoint, Elephant Falls and Laitlum Canyon; add a day each for Cherrapunji and the Riwai root bridge near Mawlynnong.

How to reach Shillong

• By air: Guwahati (GAU) — 120 km, about about 4 h by road. Shillong (SHL) is nearer but has few flights
• By train: Guwahati (GHY) — 97 km by road
• By road: From Guwahati — 99 km

Getting around

The centre around Police Bazar is compact and walkable. Hire a taxi for Elephant Falls, the Shillong Peak viewpoint, Laitlum Canyon and Umiam Lake.

Things to do in Shillong

1. NohKaLikai Falls — India’s tallest plunge fall (1 h · Paid entry)
2. Double Decker Living Root Bridge — Unique root bridge trek (5 h · ₹20)
3. Umiam Lake — Scenic reservoir lake (2 h · Free entry)
4. Umngot River Camp — Crystal clear river (3 h · Paid entry)
5. Elephant Falls, Shillong — Three-tiered waterfall (1.5 h · Rs 20)
6. Krang Suri Waterfall — Blue pool waterfall (2.5 h · ₹50)
7. Shillong View Point, Laitkor Peak — Highest city viewpoint (1 h)
8. Seven Sisters Waterfall — Seven-segment waterfall (1 h)
9. Mawlynnong Road — Clean eco village
10. Laitlum Canyon — Dramatic canyon views (2.5 h)
11. Mawsmai Cave — Accessible limestone cave (1 h · Rs. 30)
12. Mawjymbuin Cave — Shiva stalagmite cave (1 h · ₹30)
13. Police Bazar — Main shopping hub
14. Wei Sawdong Falls — Three-tiered blue falls (4 h · Rs. 50)
15. Ward's Lake — Central scenic lake (1 h · Paid entry)
16. Living Root Bridge, Riwai Village — Natural root bridge (2 h · ₹40)
17. Don Bosco Museum — Northeast culture museum (2.5 h · Paid entry)
18. Mawkdok dympep valley — Valley viewpoint (1 h)
19. Mawphlang Sacred Forest — Ancient sacred grove (2 h · Rs. 30-50)
20. Dainthlen Falls — Myth-linked waterfall (1 h)
21. Shnongpdeng Suspension Bridge — Historic suspension bridge (2 h · Free entry)
22. Dawki Bridge — Historic suspension bridge
23. Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians — Prominent Catholic church (45 min · Free entry)
24. Rainbow falls — Remote rainbow waterfall
25. Phe Phe Fall — Twin tier waterfall (2.5 h · ₹50)
26. Sweet Falls — Tall scenic waterfall (1 h · Free entry)
27. Arwah Cave — Fossil limestone cave (1.5 h · Rs. 20-50)
28. Balancing Rock of Mawlynnong — Natural balancing rock (30 min · ₹20)
29. Lady Hydari Park — Family-friendly park (1.5 h · Paid entry)
30. Garden Of Caves — Landscaped cave park (2 h · Rs. 20)
31. Nartiang Monoliths — Ancient monolith park (1 h · Free entry)
32. Spread Eagle Falls — Wide cascading falls (45 min · Free entry)
33. Thangkharang Park — Bangladesh view park (1.5 h · ₹20)
34. Shillong Golf Course — Historic golf course (2 h · Paid entry)
35. Khoh Ramhah — Giant rock formation
36. Thadlaskein Lake — Serene freshwater lake (1.5 h)
37. Kremdam — Adventure cave system (2 h · Paid entry)
38. Lum Diengïei — Volcanic hill peak (1.5 h)
39. Cherrapunji-Mawsynram Reserve Forest — Wettest place viewpoint
40. Air Force Museum — Defense aviation museum (1.5 h · Paid entry)
41. Wah-Kaba Falls — Seasonal roadside falls (45 min)
42. Syntu Ksiar Fish Sanctuary — Golden sand riverbank (1.5 h · Free entry)
43. All Saints' Cathedral — Colonial-era cathedral (45 min · Free entry)
44. Tyrna — Trek starting village
45. Rhino Heritage Museum — Military heritage museum (1.5 h · Paid entry)
46. Lyngksiar Falls — Scenic hidden waterfall (2 h)
47. Zero Point — Border viewpoint
48. Capt. Williamson Sangma State Museum — Khasi culture museum (1.5 h · Paid entry)
49. Eco Park — Landscaped viewpoint park
50. Wankhar Entomology Museum — Private insect museum (1 h · Paid entry)
51. Ranikor Bridge — River canyon region (2 h · Free entry)
52. Thlu Amwi Falls — Hidden waterfall (2 h · Free entry)
53. Borhill Falls — Seasonal waterfall (1.5 h)

Food to try in Shillong

• Jadoh — Khasi rice cooked with pork and spices, served at local eateries across the city
• Dohneiiong — Pork cooked in a paste of black sesame seeds
• Tungrymbai — Pungent fermented soybean, often cooked with pork

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Shillong?

Oct–Apr is the main season, with Nov–Mar dry and clear. May–Sep brings heavy monsoon rain, but the waterfalls around Shillong are then at their fullest.

How many days are enough for Shillong?

2–4 days. Two days cover Ward's Lake, the Don Bosco Museum, the Shillong Peak viewpoint, Elephant Falls and Laitlum Canyon; add a day each for Cherrapunji and the Riwai root bridge near Mawlynnong.

How do I reach Shillong?

By air: Guwahati (GAU) — 120 km, about about 4 h by road. Shillong (SHL) is nearer but has few flights. By train: Guwahati (GHY) — 97 km by road. By road: From Guwahati — 99 km.

What are the top things to do in Shillong?

NohKaLikai Falls, Double Decker Living Root Bridge, Umiam Lake, Umngot River Camp, Elephant Falls, Shillong, Krang Suri Waterfall.

Plan your Shillong trip

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Guide checked on 2026-10-06.