Tourist Places To Visit In Meghalaya

Tourist Places To Visit In Meghalaya: Meghalaya is one of the most beautiful states of Northeast India and Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya. Tourists can enjoy a variety of sightseeing, activities, foods, and festivals.

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During the British rule of India, it was named the “Scotland of the East” by the British royal authorities. Meghalaya was formed on 21 April 1972 by merging three districts of the state of Assam: Khasi Hills, Jaintia Hills, and Garo Hills. Meghalaya, one of the seven sisters of the Northeast, turns into a land of clouds.

Meghalaya has a predominantly agricultural economy with a major commercial forestry industry. Important crops are potato, rice, maize, pineapple, banana, papaya, spices, etc. Cherrapunji is famous for its rainfall which is one of the maximum rainfall in the world.

The people here are proud of their costumes because they are not afraid to show them to the world. The main festival of Meghalaya is Wangala which is celebrated every year in the month of November.

Best time to visit Meghalaya

The best time to visit Meghalaya is July to February, with the temperature being 16 to 24 degree Celsius. Here we are going to give you complete information about Meghalaya tourism travel. If you are going to visit Meghalaya, then you must visit the 7 tourist places given below.

1. Shillong (शिलांग)

Shillong is a hill station in the northeastern part of India and the capital of Meghalaya, Shillong is also known as the “abode of clouds”. This hill station is known for its picturesque sites and traditions.

Shillong has been selected as the 100th city to receive funding under the Centre’s flagship “Smart Cities Mission” Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation.

Besides the natural beauty, Shillong also serves as the gateway to Meghalaya. The state is famous for heavy rainfall, the tallest waterfalls, beautiful landscape, and culture.

The waterfalls and lakes of Shillong are the perfect places to find peace of mind. However, there is no dearth of nightlife in the city. There are many pubs, bars, and discos in Shillong.

Some of the best places to experience the nightlife in Shillong are Cloud 9, Cafe Shillong, Tango, and Platinum. If you are planning to visit Shillong then definitely visit these exciting tourist places.

Umiam Lake (locally known as Dam sait) is a reservoir in the hills 15 km (9.3 mi) north of Shillong in the state of Meghalaya, India
Elephant Falls The Elephant Falls is a two-tier waterfall in Shillong, Meghalaya, India.
Police Bazar is the main marketplace of Shillong. Major hotels and multi-cuisine restaurants are located in the region.
Shillong Peak is a Mountaintop overlook with esplanades & observation towers offering sweeping vistas of Shillong City.

2. Cherrapunji (चेरापूंजी)

Cherrapunji is a sub-divisional town in the East Khasi Hills district in the Indian state of Meghalaya. Cherrapunji is also known as Sohra. Cherrapunji holds the world record for receiving maximum rainfall in a year.

The local people living in and around Cherrapunji are known as Khasi. Misty valleys and waterfalls in the area make for a long drive through Cherrapunji which is ideal for road trips.

The cleanest village, Mawlynnong is another famous tourist destination here. Where visitors can live and experience the food and culture of the village.

The distance from Shillong to Cherrapunji is 54 Km. You can take a taxi or local bus service from the city of Shillong to travel to Cherrapunji. Cherrapunji is also famous for its root bridges.

For hundreds of years, people have developed techniques to grow the roots of trees into large bridges. This process takes 10 to 15 years and bridges usually last for hundreds of years. Nearest tourist place in Cherrapunji.

Dawki or Dauki is a town in West Jaintia Hills district, Meghalaya, India.
Nohkalikai Falls is the tallest plunge waterfall in India. Its height is 340 metres.
Mawsmai is located behind the beautiful village of mawsmai its limestone caves with stalactites and stalagmites, and water with limestone.

3. Dawki (डॉकी)

Dawki is a tourist destination in Meghalaya located in the West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya. It is situated on the border of India and Bangladesh.

Dawki is a major center of trade between India and Bangladesh. The city becomes a hotbed of tourist activities, especially during the spring months. Because it organizes boat ride competitions on the Umngot River.

Many people come to the city and experience the boat ride on the famous Umngot River. To see the surrounding greenery, the cool water of the river, and the beautiful bridge over the Umngot River.

Dawki provides amazing views of the landscape of Meghalaya. A city is a good place for admiring the Khasi and Jaintia Hills. Dawki is a perfect place for a day trip.

Its distance from Shillong is only 90 Km. You can easily get a bus or taxi to Dawki from Bada Bazar in Shillong. Winters are cooler than summers and therefore some sort of warm clothing will be required.

4. Tura (तुरा)

Tura is a hill town located in the West Garo Hills district in the state of West Meghalaya. Tura is a valley situated at the foothills of Tura Hills. The capital city Shillong is 323 Km away.

Bangladesh is situated at a proximity of 50 Km to the national border of Dalu. There are many famous waterfalls to visit in Tura. Some of the waterfalls are Rongbang Dare a very small, picture-perfect waterfall near Chinabat village.

The main attraction of this city is Nokrek National Park. It is located at a distance of 12 Km from the city, where various animals are seen like leopards, golden cats, wild buffalo, partridge, and many other animals.

There is also a large population of birds in the hill forests. Some of the birds found here are Green Pigeon, Red Winged Cracked Cuckoo, Gray Headed Myna, Red Jungle Fowl, etc.

The best time to visit Tura is during the winter period from February to March. The weather remains cool during the day.

5. Jowai (जोवाई)

Jowai is a tourist destination in Meghalaya located in the West Jaintia Hills district of the state of Meghalaya. Jowai is an important business and education center for the entire district.

Jowai is well connected by road to Shillong which is located at a distance of 64 Km. Like Cherrapunji, Jawai is a scenic drive to a destination and is very famous for boasting lakes, vast open valleys, and waterfalls. Thadlaskein Lake and Lalong Park are famous tourist hot spots.

Behdienkhlam, a major festival of Jaintia, is a 4-day event that takes place in the month of July. Local Christians usually do not take part in it, but it is celebrated with pomp and show among the followers of the traditional Niamtre religion.

Summers are mild which is the perfect time to visit the place. Monsoon makes travel very difficult in this region, and winters are cold with a minimum temperature of 4 °C.

6. Elephant Falls (एलिफेंट फॉल)

Elephant Falls is located on the outskirts of Shillong, the main city of the Upper Khasi Hills district. It is a tourist’s paradise with three layers reaching Lemon from different points in different places. The name originated in British times when the British noticed a huge rock that looked like an elephant near the fall. This rock was destroyed by an earthquake in 1987.

The first fall of Elephant Falls is an example of a horsetail-punchbowl waterfall. The first fall is very extensive and is hidden among the trees. The second fall, however, is quite homely and seems inconsistent in winter. The third fall is the longest and comes suddenly and looks most spectacular with crystal clear waters falling on sharp rocks of innumerable shapes.

7. Balphakram National Park (बलफकरम राष्ट्रीय उद्यान)

Balfakaram National Park is located south of the Garo Hills in Meghalaya, at a distance of about 167 Km from Tura City and close to the International Border with Bangladesh.

The park is a famous national park known for its pristine beauty. Balphakaram National Park is also famous for its caves, complete with beautiful limestone formations.

Siju-Dobkhkhol Cave is located on the banks of the Simsu River, about 30 Km north of Baghmara, below Siju village. A huge magnetic rock is also seen in the national park.

The central government has designated the Garo Hills Conservation Area (GHCA) on the border of the South and West Garo Hills district in Meghalaya as a World Heritage Site, which includes Balfkaram National Park. It is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List.

The best time to visit Balphakaram National Park is from November to May when the weather is pleasant without rain. The best way to reach Balphakaram National Park is through Tura. From Tura, you can take a taxi to reach the national park, which will cost you around 1500 rupees.

How to reach Meghalaya

By Road: Several private buses and taxis ply passengers from Guwahati to Shillong. The journey takes 3 to 4 hours. Meghalaya is also connected through National Highways to Silchar in Assam, Aizawl in Mizoram, and Agartala in Tripura.

By Rail: Guwahati is the nearest major railway station connecting to Meghalaya. And from Guwahati, you can take a taxi or bus.

Airway: Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, has an airport at Umroi 30 km from Shillong on the Guwahati-Shillong highway. There is also a helicopter service connecting Shillong to Guwahati and Tura. Baljek Airport near Tura became operational in 2008.

FAQ’s

Q- What is famous about Meghalaya?
A- Meghalaya is also home to a large variety of fruits, vegetables, spices, and medicinal plants.

Q- What is the main dress of Meghalaya?
A- Meghalaya is home to Khasi, Jaintia, and Garo people. Jainsem is the traditional costume for women and is usually made of mulberry silk.

Q- How far is Dawki from Cherrapunji?
A- Cherrapunji is about 85 km (2 hrs) away from Dawki.

Q- What is the famous food of Meghalaya?
A- Jadho is a popular dish of the Khasi tribal community of Meghalaya. Jadho is prepared with rice and pork, garnished with aromatic species, chopped vegetables, and eggs or fried fish.