Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya, one of the smallest states in India. It is also the headquarters of the East Khasi Hills district and is situated at an average altitude of 1,500 m above sea level, with the highest point being Lum Shyllong at 1,965 m. The city has a populationof close to 300,000. Shillong has steadily grown in size and significance since it was made the civil station of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills in 1864 by the British, mainly because the climate of Shillong was much cooler than tropical India. Shillong remained the capital of undivided Assam until the creation of the new state of Meghalaya in January 1972, when Shillong became the capital of Meghalaya and Assam moved its capital to Dispur. Most of the Shillong population belong to Khasi tribe, who are predominantly Christian. An interesting aspect of Khasis are that they are a matrilineal society.
How to Get There
By Air:
Umroi is a small airport about 35 km from Shillong. Boeing Air Alliance Flights (50 seaters) operate on this route, weather permitting. Buses / Taxis are available from Shillong to Umroi and back. Helicopters are available from Guwahati to Tura and Tura to Shillong on Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday and from Guwahati to Shillong and Shillong to Guwahati daily except on Sunday. It takes 20 min. to reach Shillong from Guwahati and one hour from Guwahati to Tura. This means of transportation is both economical and convenient. Alternatively, Guwahati Airport, 128 km from Shillong, is connected to the rest of India with regular flights. Shared cabs (typically small cars from the airport, and larger Tata Sumos from Guwahati town centre) are available from outside the airport, connecting to Shillong. The rate per passenger is fixed, from Guwahati Airport to Shillong. The cab takes you to Police Bazaar. You can go to any part of Shillong from here. En route to Shillong, you'll probably stop midway at Nongpoh to freshen up and get some refreshments. Canned beer and sodas are freely available. Do not be surprised if you find a youth on the bonnet of your car. He sucks in petrol and blows it into a funnel leading to the carburetor. This is because of Shillong’s altitude of 1500-1900 m.
What to See
With no visit limitations, Shillong is one of the most scenic cities in the country. It has enough tourism content to attract every type of tourist, including adventure tourists, water sport lovers, etc. Wards Lake : Known locally as Nan-Polok, is an artificial lake with sprawling garden and some boating facility. It is located right at the heart of Shillong; Lady Hydari Park : A lovely park cum mini-zoo with some exotic animals; Shillong Peak, which provides a spendid panoramic view of Shillong. An estimated 500 natural caves in the hills around Shillong attract cavers from UK, Germany, Austria, Ireland and the US. Cherrapunjee is one of the most popular tourist spots, holding the record for maximum annual rainfall, just 50 km from Shillong by road, but 14 km as the crow flies.
Popular waterfalls worth a visit are the Elephant Falls, Shadthum Falls, Weinia falls, Bishop Falls, Nohkalikai Falls, Langshiang falls and Sweet Falls. The hot springs at Jakrem near Mawsynram are believed to have curative and medicinal properties. For sightseeing it is a good idea to hire a taxi cab for full day. The fares should be fixed before travel Hotel staff with hotel staff assistance. Shillong has an 18-hole golf course known as Glen Eagle of the East; Don Bosco Museum, a seven-floor Museum offers 14 aesthetically pleasing and informative galleries about the North East.
By Rail:
There are no rail lines in Meghalaya. The nearest railway station to Shillong is Guwahati. Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) has bus services coordinated with train arrivals at Guwahati.
By Road:
An all-weather National Highway, connects Shillong with Guwahati. The state's transport corporation and private transport operators have services to various places in Meghalaya and to neighbouring states.
Getting Around: Much of the infrastructure is basic and many roads outside city are in bad shape due to heavy rains and poor maintenance, but within the city the roads are quite good. Although the city traffic ranks second in the country in terms to vehicles to population ratio, Mumbai being first, it is very slow and disciplined.
Where to Stay
Accommodation in Shillong is excellent, be it a hotel, guesthouse or a B & B. Hotel Pinewood & Hotel Polo Towers, Shillong`s Only 4 Star Hotel are recommended. Hotel Centre Point; Royal Heritage Tripura Castle; Hotel Alpine Continental (3 Star) and HotelPine Brook Guest House are other options. B&B, Rosaville Cottage; The Majestic Hotel, Polo Road; Lake View Inn, MG Road and Rohit Guest House are in the budget class.
Where to Eat
Ginger at Hotel Polo Towers is good, Royal Heritage has a nice restaurant. Sip & Dine at Hotel Alpine Continental has an excellent restaurant. Suruchi Hotel, Foodplus, Chef's Multi Cuisine Restaurant and Sesame also feed you well.
