The Scotland of East

Meghalaya: Shillong and Cherrapunji: Gems of Meghalaya

The state of Meghalaya is located in the northeast of India and it hosts two most famous places in the country Shillong and Cherrapunji. Being famous by their beautiful landscape, rich culture and peculiar climate, these towns give a tourist an opportunity to enjoy the nature and the culture in a unique and refreshing way.

Nohkalikai Falls

Meghalaya The capital of Meghalaya, Shillong is referred to as the Scotland of East owing to its hilly topography, pine forests and colonial architecture. The city is situated at a height of approximately 1,500 meters above sea level, and it has a favorable climate all through the year. Shillong is the cultural centre of the Khasi people who are the majority ethnic group in the area. Their traditional music, food and way of life can be enjoyed by the visitors particularly in their local markets such as Police Bazaar and Bara Bazaar. 

The city also has some natural attractions (including Umiam Lake, a beautiful reservoir with some hills around, and Elephant Falls, a beautiful waterfall in three layers). Shillong Peak gives a spectacular view of the surrounding hills. Also, the Don Bosco Museum is a gold mine of knowledge regarding the local cultures of northeast India.

Umiam Lake

Cherrapunji (which is locally referred to as Sohra) is a small town located about 54 kilometers south of Shillong, and it has a reputation in the world scene as having incredible rainfall. Cherrapunji was the wettest place in the Earth over years. The monsoon rains have created deep valleys and green sceneries to the extent of making the area very beautiful.

Living root bridges are the most well known feature of Cherrapunji due to the creative minds of the Khasi community. These bridges which are made by training the roots of rubber trees to grow across rivers are not only functional but also sustainable with some of them being more than a hundred years old. The living root bridge in Nongriat village is the most amazing two-level bridge made out of roots and attracts hikers worldwide.

The Nohkalikai Falls is another attraction in Cherrapunji, as it is one of the largest waterfalls in India that fall down a cliff and then into a deep pool. The area is near-fantastic due to the surrounding hills and mist-laden landscapes during the rainy season. There are also caves nearby, Mawsmai caves, where one can get the excitement of finding natural limestone structures inside the caves.

Shillong and Cherrapunji are two very different experiences that are a mixture of nature along with culture. Whereas, Shillong is more urban and vibrant, with music festivals and cafes all around the city, Cherrapunji is the place of solitude and close relation with nature. The two are united by the hospitality of the local communities and by the untouched nature that they are trying to keep clean.

Streets of Shillong

The 3-4 days trip budget to Shillong and Cherrapunji may cost around 5000-8000 Rs. This involves local transport, local budget accommodations (800 1200 INR per night) and food at local restaurants. Group tours, traveling in shared taxis keep the prices affordable, and the experiences are fabulous.

Shillong City View

A visit to the towns of Meghalaya will not only be a visual feast, but also a tale, a culture and a great regard towards nature by the travelers, who want to experience more than the usual places in India. Shillong and Cherrapunji together make an ideal blend of the new world and the old natural beauty.