Shillong Tourism – An Ultimate Travel Guide, 2025
Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya and the headquarters of East Khasi Hills District. It lies at an elevation of 1,520 metres above sea level. Before the creation of Meghalaya in 1972, Shillong was Assam’s capital. Surrounded by the cradle of tall conifers, pinewood trees and pineapple shrubs, Shillong’s rolling hills and terrain makes it an attractive destination for tourists which has ultimately boosted Shillong Tourism a lot.
Shillong is also referred to as the ‘Scotland of the East’ because of its rolling hills around the town which is similar to the Scottish Highlands. Shillong is a great holiday destination because of its location, people, and climate, which work together to create a friendly environment.
Shillong is the home to a variety of waterfalls and water bodies and is located on a plateau that is surrounded on the West by Diengiei Hills at a rising height of 1,890 metres and on the North by Umiam Lake. Among the key reasons for the boost of Shillong Tourism is its breathtaking mountain peaks, crystal clear rivers, spectacular Golf Course and the mesmerising sceneries.
Shillong as the gateway to Meghalaya is famous for mesmerising views, gigantic waterfalls, breathtaking lakes, amazing people and culture. Some of the best places to witness during Shillong Tourism are:
Umiam Lake
Wards Lake
Lady Hydari Park
Air Force Museum
Mawsmai Cave
Police Bazar
Don Bosco Museum
Elephant Falls
Laitlum Canyons
Best Selling Shillong Tourism Packages
What Makes Shillong So Famous?
Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya, is considered as one of the picturesque hill stations of India. It is located at an height of 1,520 metres above the sea level. It is famous because of its stunning waterfalls, enchanting lakes and lush green elevations that a visitor can witness in almost every turn. It serves a moderate weather condition to its visitors throughout the year.
The maximum temperature varies for about 27-29°C whereas minimum temperature is about 5-7°C. Apart from its enchanting waterfalls and scenic sights, it also gives a chance to explore some of the biggest caves of India like Krem Liat Prah Cave, Umlawan Cave, Mawsmai Cave and many more. Meghalaya is home to various long and deep caves which are worth a visit and is a boon for adventure enthusiasts. With excellent sites to visit in Shillong, this is an enchanting holiday destination with the topography of heaven.
Valleys of Shillong are like a painting that one uses to hang in one’s drawing room. This pleasing land rests on lofty valleys and hills where visitors can view tall pine trees hovering and moving rhythmically with the gentle breeze and the clouds along the edges of hills, spreading all over the attractive blue sky. Shillong has several places whose breathtaking natural beauty can leave visitors speechless. Shillong’s gushing waterfalls, crystal-clear lakes, flower gardens, breathtaking scenery, hanging pine trees, and museums showcasing the rich Khasi culture makes it the perfect destination for a vacation.
This guide will provide everything you need to know about Shillong.
The Best Time to Visit Shillong
Travelling to Shillong relies largely on the weather, whether you like the warm summer days or the breathtaking cherry blossom trees at their peak in the autumn. You can choose the most desirable time to travel after knowing the pros and cons of each season. Below given is a brief overview of weather so as to ensure the best time to undertake Shillong Tourism.
Summer Season: March to June marks the summer season in Shillong with pretty good temperatures ranging from a high of 25°C to a low of 15°C. Weather is moderate during this time to engage in adventures and excursions.
Monsoon Season: At this time of year, Shillong sees moderate to high levels of rainfall. The monsoon begins in July and lasts till September, of which July is considered to be the wettest month. During monsoons waterfalls are at their peak having abundant waters and gives a spectacular view from the top. If you are someone who enjoys rain and wants to witness the real beauty of waterfalls, monsoon is the time when the region is adorned with lush greenery.
Winter Season: October to February marks the winter season in Shillong. During winters, the lakes and rivers are cleaner, especially the Dawki River. The beauty of rivers can be admired during the winters. While boating in the Dawki river, you can see the river bed clearly. The weather is chilly with a minimum temperature of about 2 °C. Also water sports and other adventures like trekking can be done during winters.
Things To Do In Shillong
- Boating in Umiam Lake: You can perform boating activities in the biggest lake of Meghalaya and witness its picturesque beauty. You can also visit an island which is situated in the middle of the lake.
- Exploring the central Market: Iewduh and Police Bazar has a lot to offer its tourists and you can explore these busy markets and shop various things and souvenirs for your loved ones.
- Photography at Elephant Falls: Tourists can engage in amazing photography at this spot.This falls is very famous among the locals and tourists as it provides a place to relax in the midst of serenity and nature.
- Visit to Don Bosco Museum: Known as the largest Museum of indigenous and local cultures. This museum is also referred to as the major visiting spot within the Shillong city to witness and observe the heritage and culture of Meghalaya.
- Trekking in the calm and composed trails: Trekking in Shillong is considered as the best experience as it has numerous trekking sites. Some of them are Shillong Peak, David Scott’s trail, Living Root Bridge Trail and many more.
- Explore the Caves: Shillong, Meghalaya has around 1,580 caves out of which only 980 caves have been explored. Some of them are fully explored whereas some of them are partially explored. You can explore Mawsmai Cave, Arwah Cave and many more.
- Exploring Shillong Golf Course: One of the biggest and oldest Golf courses of Meghalaya situated in Shillong. The course is situated in a scenic valley surrounded by pine and rhododendron trees, which attracts lots of migratory birds along with regional birds. Exploring Shillong Golf Course is indeed an exciting part of Shillong Tourism.
- Witnessing the wettest place on earth: Mawsynram and Cherrapunji which have the title of highest and second highest rainfall in the world. You can walk around its region and witness some of the picturesque beauty of Meghalaya.
- Visit the Cleanest Village of Asia: In the year 2003, this village received the title of ‘Cleanest village of Asia’ by Discover India. Since then many tourists from various parts of the world visit this unbelievable site and explore it.
- Camping: An activity that one must try atleast once in his/her life. Therefore, if you are visiting Shillong, then you have the chance to perform this activity near Shnongpdeng. Visitors can experience a close encounter with nature with this activity.
- Scuba Diving: Experience scuba diving and witness underwater life, flora and fauna that lead their life away from sunlight in Shnongpdeng, Dawki. Shillong Tourism offers this amazing and exciting activity for the tourists to have an experience of a lifetime.
- Watch the sunset: Watch the sunset over the hills and valleys and capture this wonderful moment engaging in amazing photography.
Itineraries for Shillong Tour
You can choose your ideal Dawki Tour plan from our list of Shillong Tour Packages.
How do we reach Shillong
You can reach Shillong by road, rail or flight.Shillong is well connected with major cities of India by road. You can reach Guwahati from anywhere in India and from there it takes about 2 ½ hours drive to reach Shillong. There are different options to travel by road for reaching Shillong. You can take a bus which is available from Guwahati but it will take more time and the journey will be tyring and hectic. If you want a comfortable journey you can book a private cab from outside the Guwahati Railway Station or Guwahait Airport or even from Paltan Bazar. It will take around 2 ½ hours to reach Shillong and the best part is that with private cabs you can stop at sightseeing sports on the way and click memorable pictures which cannot be done while travelling in a bus or a shared taxi.
Since Meghalaya does not have proper railway connectivity, you can take a train up to Guwahati Railway Station from where cabs are available to reach Meghalaya. It is around 2 & ½ hours of journey from Guwahati Railway Station to Shillong.
The nearest airport to reach Shillong is the Shillong Airport, also known as Umroi Airport. As of now it is connected with Delhi and Kolkata. So if you are from these two places you can directly reach take a flight to Shillong Airport and from there it takes around 1 hour to reach Shillong City. Apart from Shillong Airport, travellers also prefer to arrive in Guwahati Airport which is also known as Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. Guwahati Airport is well connected with the major cities of India. You can take a flight to Guwahati Airport from where you can easily get a cab to reach Shillong. You can also pre-book a cab with us to avoid any last minute hassle. On pre-booking a cab with us you can avoid any last minute inconveniences as once you reach Guwahati Airport the cab will wait for you outside the airport.
Honeymoon Packages for Shillong
Local languages spoken in Shillong are Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo. Apart from local languages people also speak Hindi, Bengali and Nepali. People of Shillong can communicate well in English. People of different origins and from different places of India live in Shillong and speak their languages.
Travellers generally doesn’t have difficulty in communicating with locals as most of the local youths can communicate in English.
People from different ethnic groups speaking multiple languages has been an added advantage for Shillong Tourism.
Shillong was the capital of Assam during the British Rule. Being a hilly region, it was the summer capital of Assam along with Eastern Bengal for many years. The city is located in the east-central part of the state on the Shillong Plateau at an elevation of 4,990 feet (1,520 metres).On June 12, 1874, a huge and historic earthquake occured in Shillong, changing the dynamics of the city. Post Independence, Meghalaya became a state officially on January 21, 1972 and Shillong was made its capital.
Different tribes and people live in Shillong. The major tribes are Khasi, Garo and Jaintia. Apart from local tribes people from other parts of India live here. You will people from places like Bengal, Bihar, Rajasthan.
Oranges, Ginger, Turmeric, Broom and Limestone of Meghalaya are highly demanded products and are transported outside the state as well as exported to other countries.
Local people celebrate different tribal festivals like the Behdienkhalm, Seng Kut Snem and the Wangala Festival. Tourism in Meghalaya is thriving because of its natural beauty, different cultures and warm and welcoming people.
Top Tourist Attractions in Shillong
Shillong is a small and beautiful hill station and is the capital of Meghalaya. Because of its beauty and cleanliness, it is also known as the Scotland of the East. The city is surrounded by hilly mountains and huge pine trees. There are many beautiful places in and around Shillong which you can visit during your Meghalaya Tour.
You can visit the following places in Shillong:
Wards Lake
Botanical Garden
Shillong Golf-Course
Lady Hydari Park
Don Bosco Museum
Grand Madina Glass Masjid
Shillong Peak
Elephant Falls
SIGHTSEEING PLACES AT THE OUTSKIRTS OF SHILLONG
Cherrapunjee
Nokhalikai Falls
Seven Sisters Falls
Mawsmai Cave
Mawlynnong Village
Khasi Heritage Village
Double Decker Living Root Bridge
David Scott Trails
More Places in Shillong
Weather in Shillong
Weather condition in Shillong is typically cool and temperate with an average annual temperature of 17.1° C. The summers have a good deal of rainfall while the winters have very few.
The warmest month of the year is July with an average temperature of 21°C – 23°C and January is the coldest month with an average temperature of 4°- 10°C. The driest month is December with 8 mm of rainfall and most of the precipitation falls in June which averages at 851 mm.
| Season | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Summer(April-June) | 15°C-24°C |
| Monsoon(July-September) | 12°C-16°C |
| Winter(October-March) | 2°C-17°C |
Shillong Tourism One Day Tour
Shillong Tourism Adventure Activities
Travel Advice on Shillong Tourism
Shillong, Meghalaya is one of the safest Indian states to travel to. Visitors can anticipate warm and accommodating service. Travellers travelling alone, particularly women, feel completely protected in Meghalaya.Since, Shillong is one of the favourite tourist destinations in India, it is highly advisable to book your hotels early as you may not get good hotels later. Further, you can also book vehicles early, as later the fare may increase when your travel dates are near. There are some long trekking tours like the Double Decker Bridge or the David Scott Trail which requires almost a full day. So, if you are coming with your old parents or kids, long treks should not be on your list.
It would be great fun while shopping in Shillong if you know the right places and right things to buy. Popular markets in Shillong for shopping are Police Bazar, Bhutia Market and Bara Bazar. At Police Bazar you will see vendors at the footpath selling ethnic handicrafts, beautiful handlooms, handmade organic products, vicious fruits and species, winter wear and fashion apparel.
Respecting the people’s customs and culture is advised. Another considerate act is to respect their private space. Ask for their permission, for example, if you want to take a photo with them or something that holds special meaning for them.
Your journey should be at least five days long if you want to enjoy and see the region completely. You can shorten your trip to three or four days, though, if you plan ahead.
Tips for Shillong Tourism
Below are the tips to be taken care of so as to have a comfortable travel in Shillong:
Be careful regarding your bookings.
Understand the local permits.
Bring only the bare minimum with you.
Arrange the itinerary’s preparations.
Create a budget for your safety as well.
Respect for regional customs.
Carry enough cash in hand as few areas may not accept cards.
Shillong Tourism Travel Guides
Best Places to stay in Shillong
| Name | Price (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| Ri Kynjai – Serenity By The Lake | Starts from Rs.19,800/- per night. |
| Hotel M Crown | Starts from Rs.8,530/- per night. |
| Hotel Heiga | Starts from Rs.10,458/- per night. |
| The Heritage Club – Tripura Castle | Starts from Rs.7,040/- per night. |
| Hotel Sapphire | Starts from Rs.4,458/-per night. |
| Hotel Holiday Hills | Starts from Rs.5,040/-per night. |
| Name | Price (Tentative) |
|---|---|
| Hotel Rainbow | Starts from Rs.3,500/- per night. |
| Cassiopeia Guest House | Starts from Rs.4,000/- per night. |
| Hotel Blue Pine | Starts from Rs.2,500/- per night. |
Shillong Tourism Reviews
Tarun Rathi
Very Reliable taxi operator in Shillong. I had booked a 3 day tour package from Travenjo which included Airport pick up and drop, Cherrapunji day tour, Dawki and Phe Phe falls. I was so glad that they ...
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Swapnil Salgaonkar
Travenjo Team is one of most disciplined. They are best in providing services related to tours and cab in Meghalaya and Assam. At that time Ali was driber during thse time. He gave us a glimpse of meghalaya. He advised ...
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Srividya Kumar
If I have to use one phrase to describe Travenjo's services, it is care for the customer. Right from the get-go, Anwar was extremely responsive to our needs and patient with our questions. There were ...
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Bhaskar Thakur
I had used services of Travenjo for my 6 days trip to Assam and Meghalaya. The driver was polite, cooperative and punctual. We could cover most of the places as planned. Overall was satisfied with the ...
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Tuhin Karmakar
I was very happy with the service provided. The driver named Prince was outstanding. He was so friendly and jolly that we felt like a family. He was there guiding us in every place we went and provided us ...
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Nishanth B S
We had an amazing experience with Travenjo. We booked for 7days Meghalaya package. Our tour guide Sandeep was ultimate. His driving skill, knowledge on places, local food all are top notch. He is one of the ...
View ReviewFrequently Asked Questions about Shillong Tourism
Yes, Shillong is indeed open to tourists post pandemic.
For tourists Shillong is one of the safest places in India. Solo travellers too visit Shillong and travellers feel safe while on a trip to Shillong. The police force as well as the people of Shillong in general are helpful. It is generally advised to travellers to take precaution with your valuable belongings.
Some of the famous and unique places of Shillong includes:
Laitlum Canyons: One of Shillong’s top tourist destinations is Laitlum Canyon. Hikers travel from far off places to explore its long and rugged landscape.
Shillong Peak: Shillong’s highest point is Shillong Peak, a significant Indian Air Force base in the Khasi Hills. It offers a broader view of the city.
Elephant Falls: Shillong is made more elegant and significant by the Elephant Falls. This breathtaking three-tier waterfall attracts tourists from all over the world.
Umiam Lake: The main draw and popular tourist destination in Shillong is Umiam Lake. Visitors enjoy the area’s natural beauty thanks to the stunning views and green surroundings.
Ward’s Lake: The centre of Shillong is home to this lovely lake. You can spend time there and engage in activities like kayaking and boating.
are Umiam Lake, Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak, Ward’s Lake and Shillong Golf Course.
Shillong can be visited all-round the year as it has pleasant weather throughout. Monsoon will be an ideal time if you want to see waterfalls and greenery at its peak. While winters are also considered an ideal time to visit as the lakes are cleaner making it a perfect time for engaging in water sport activities too.
Local bamboo products and handicrafts are available in the Police Bazar. You can also buy some souvenirs including some good quality local turmeric and honey from Shillong. Another place perfect for shopping is Iewduh (Bara Bazar).
Sohphie fruit marks the official start of spring. It is adored by both residents and tourists for its crunch and juiciness. “Sohiong,” often known as cherry or blackberries, is another well-known fruit that resembles grapes. It’s used to make jams and juices. Oranges are another famous fruit.
You can plan Shillong Tour for at least five days so as to explore the places completely. Here is a customised plan for Shillong Tour:
Day-1: Arrive in Shillong and go for Shillong Sightseeing and the surrounding places.
Day-2: Visit Dawki and Mawlynnong Village.
Day-3: Cherrapunji Day Excursion.
Day-4: Krang Suri Falls and Laitlum Canyons Tour.
Day-5: Guwahati Drop via Umiam Lake visit.
If you want to book a ready made tour package, you can book one of our best selling Best of Meghalaya Tour Package.
The cost of a Shillong Tour may vary according to your preferences. For a 5 days Shillong Tour, the budget would be around Rs.17,200/- per person. You can book our Spectacular Shillong Tour Package which is of 5 Days, 4 Nights and covers tourist places in Shillong and outskirts. Our Shillong Tour Packages include stay, transportation and sightseeing too.
If you want a budget-friendly trip, you can reserve our 3 Days and 2 Nights packages, according to your desired destinations. Our 3 Days Shillong And Mawphanlur Tour is ideal for budget travellers and will cost around Rs.8,900/- per person.
Shillong has some of the best sightseeing spots and is adorned with lush greenery. The beautiful pine trees and the hills add on to further beauty. Its mesmerising waterfalls, splendid lakes and less explored caves are another reason for tourists to visit Shillong. The beauty of Shillong is at its peak during monsoons. The waterfalls and the greenery looks amazing during this time of the year.
can be for 3 Days and 2 Nights. It will cost around Rs.7,000/- per person. Our 3 Days Shillong And Mawphanlur Tour is ideal budget travellers.
No, there is no need for a permit to enter Shillong even if you’re an Indian National or a Foreign National.
Below are a few must-visit destinations near Shillong:
–Mawsynram: It is situated around 60.4 kilometres from Shillong
–Cherrapunji: This is the wettest place in Meghalaya and is about 54 kilometres away from Shillong.
–Nartiang: It is also known as the garden of monoliths and is located roughly 60 kilometres from Shillong.
–Nongkrem: The Syiem of Nongkrem, whose estate reaches all the way to Shillong, being around 15.8 kilometres away.
–Jowai: Another significant stop on the way to Silchar and Agartala and about 62.6 kilometres away from Shillong.
You can book our Shillong and Cherrapunji Tour with Kaziranga for the best experience of nearby places in Shillong.
Yes, Shillong Tourism offers various adventure activities such as:
Boating
Skiing
Camping
Trekking
River Rappelling
Kayaking
Cliff Jumping
Scuba Diving
Zip Lining
Snorkelling
You can perform these adventure activities in Umiam Lake, Shnongpdeng, Dawki, Mawryngkhang.
There are different markets in Shillong where you can buy local handicrafts, clothes and much more. For shopping in Shillong you can visit Police Bazar, Bara Bazar (Iewduh) and also Laitumkhrah Bazar. There are various other places to shop like Glory’s Plaza,
Khasi Emporium and Purbashree Emporium.
Resorts in Shillong offer good views of mountains or lakes depending on the location of the resort. From budget-friendly to expensive hotels, Shillong has a variety to offer its tourists. Some best resorts and hotels in and around Shillong includes:
Hotel Centre Point, Shillong
Polo Orchid, Cherrapunji
Betelnut Resort, Shnongpdeng, Dawki
Lalam Homestay, Shillong
Hotel Blue Pine, Shillong
There are buses used for commuting within Shillong. Shared taxis, private cars, and taxis are also good choices.
Below listed are some of the most loved and adventurous trekking trails of Shillong:
-David Scott Trail
-Laitlum Canyons
-Shillong Peak Trek
-Living Root Bridge Trail
There is not much Shillong night tourism as it is a small place and markets are closed early. It is advisable to tour Shillong during the day.