Things to do in Shillong
Shillong is a hill station in Meghalaya situated at an average altitude of 4,908 feet above sea level. It is a perfect blend of old world and modern charm. The interesting fact about Shillong is that it is the only hill station in India that is accessible from all sides. Crystal clear lakes, magnificent mountains and impressive waterfalls make this place very attractive for tourists. It can be considered as an ideal place to unwind amidst natural beauty and enjoy the serenity. Shillong Peak that offers a panoramic view of the scenic countryside is the highest peak situated at a height of 6,449 feet in this region. The place, the people and the climate all combine to create an atmosphere to make Shillong an ideal holiday resort. Cherrapunjee which is the wettest place on earth is only 56 km away from Shillong so a trip to Shillong can be continued to Cherrapunjee as well. Shillong is often referred to as “Scotland of India” and gained this name by Britishers. The beautiful lakes, green mountains, pine forests and waterfalls form an integral part of the constitution of the best things to do in Shillong.
Today, Shillong has some picturesque places worth visiting. Umiam lake, Elephant falls and Lady Hydari Park is some famous attractions to name a few. If you are planning to visit Shillong, it is quite advisable to book your accommodation well in advance. As it is a popular tourist destination, the hill station meets a lot of visitors every year, especially during the peak season which can be marked from September to December. The temperature during these few months 9 to 13-degree centigrade, so it is very pleasant to explore and walk around the hill station.
Also, make sure you try out the local cuisine of Khasis and Tibetans that basically involves a lot of boiled or roasted food. There are a number of good restaurants and most of them are located in the market areas of Shillong. As most of the locals in Shillong are Christians, pork and beef are easily found in the regular menu. Moreover, if you are looking for some alcohol, you can find it in the fancy bars and pubs that are situated in different parts of the hill station.
Amongst the best things to do in Shillong come the likes of visiting the Nohkalikai Falls, boating in Umiam Lake, angling at Dawki, Kayaking at Kynshi River, etc.
People Also Ask About Shillong Things To Do
-
Which are some of the must do things in Shillong?
Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya is a hill station that has great weather and incredible scenic beauty. There are many places worth visiting and many activities that keep tourists engaged her. Some of the best things to do in Shillong are-
- Boating in Umiam Lake
- Trekking in the calm and composed trails
- Horse Riding
- River Rafting
- Angling at Dawki
- Waterfall Rappelling at Elephant Falls
- Explore the Caves
- Shillong Golfing
- Rock Climbing
- A walk around Wards Lake
- Hangout at Nokrek National Park
- Walking in the Clouds at Cherapunji
- Shopping at Police Baazar
- Visit Asia’s Cleanest Village
- Camping
Explore the tranquil beauty by booking 4 Days Tour of Mystic Meghalaya
-
What all adventure activities can be done in and around Shillong?
When it comes to adventure sports, Shillong has quite a few options for adventure junkies. Some of which are-- Boating in Umiam Lake
- Trekking David Scott's Trail
- River Rafting at Ranikor
- Waterfall Rappelling at Elephant Falls
- Camping on Khasi Hills
Have a heavenly experience by booking 8 days Magical Meghalaya Tour Package
-
Where can I go for caving in and around Shillong?
The deep dense forests of Shillong and other parts of Meghalaya have some pf the most beautiful caves that manage to get the explorer out in you. When in Shillong, visiting these caves is a must as they give you a great sense of adventure. Meghalaya has more than 500 roughly and many of which are yet to be explored and mapped. Here are a few popular ones in and around Shillong that you should definitely head to-
Dobakhol Cave
Kotsaki-Umlawan
Krem Chympe
Krem Dam
Synrang Paming
Krem Phyllut
Krem Mawnluh
Krem Shrieh
Krem Lympat
Krem Lamet Latang
Kut Sutiang
Dobhakol Chibe Nala
Explore the mesmerizing North East by booking Assam Meghalaya Tour Package
-
Which are some famous treks in and around Shillong?
The terrains of Meghalaya as a whole are very challenging. An advantage is that unlike the Himalayas, these trails are not snow-wrapped so you don’t have to carry a lot of winter clothing on yourself. Moreover, the trails in Shillong and areas around it often welcome tourists with beautiful by flora fauna that you may get to see nowhere else in India. These intimidating rare species make your trek absolutely worth it! Here are some of the best trekking trails of Shillong and in regions around-
- Smit
- Mawlyngot
- Pynursla
- Living Root Bridge
- Kyllang Rock
- David Scott Trail
- Sohpet-bneng
Explore the mesmerizing Meghalaya by booking 6 Days & 5 Nights Meghalaya Tour Package
-
Where can I go for river rafting in Shillong?
River rafting is a fun and thrilling sport and has very rapidly gained popularity amongst locals as well as tourists in Shillong. River rafting in Shillong can be enjoyed at Umiam Lake and at Ranikor. Both the destinations have many rapids that cause for a great thrill and adventure during the sport. An experienced rafter can enjoy rafting at Ranikhor, however, if one is a beginner, it is advisable to try the Umiam Lake first for rafting.
-
What all things can be done in Umiam lake in Shillong?
Umiam Lake is a reservoir located in the hills 15 km to the North of Shillong and is a major tourist destination of Shillong. It is also a popular destination for water sport and adventure facilities and some of the activities you can enjoy here are- Kayaking Water Cycling Scooting Boating Relaxing lake side Water Skiing Have a picnic or a pot-luck by the lake River Rafting
River rafting is a fun and thrilling sport and has very rapidly gained popularity amongst locals as well as tourists in Shillong. River rafting in Shillong can be enjoyed at Umiam Lake and at Ranikor. Both the destinations have many rapids that cause for a great thrill and adventure during the sport. An experienced rafter can enjoy rafting at Ranikhor, however, if one is a beginner, it is advisable to try the Umiam Lake first for rafting.
-
How far is Cherrapunjee from Shillong? What all things can be done there?
Cherrapunjee in Meghalaya is located at a mere distance of 55 km from the town of Shillong. This place attracts lakhs of tourists every year and is very special because it is one of the wettest places on planet. It is nestled in the East Khasi Hills about 50 km southwest of the state’s capital and is also known as Sohra or Churra. Moreover, the place is also popular to be the home of living root bridges, bridges that can hold up to 50 people at a time and are a result of bioengineering practiced by the locals. There are a number of things you can do in Shillong. Some of them are-
- Visit Root Bridges
- Visit Nohkalikai Falls
- Explore Ramakrishna Mission-Museum
- Go Caving at Mawsmai Cave
-
Which are must visit villages in and around Shillong?
Shillong is located in Meghalaya in Northeast India. It is easily accessible from Guwahati and has several villages worth visiting in and around Shillong. Some of them are-
- Mawlynnong Village
- Cherrapunjee Village
- Jakrem
- Nongriat
- Ziro Valley
- Nongstian
- Mylima

- 4D

- 4H

- 6D/5N

- 5D/4N




More Things to do in Shillong
More on Shillong Tourism
Popular Related Destinations








