Living roots bridge near Riwai village. This bridge is formed by training tree roots over years to knit together.

©Mazur Travel/Shutterstock

Shillong

Irreverent Shillong was the capital of colonial and post-Independence Assam (which embraced almost the whole Northeast) until 1972, when it became capital of the newly carved-out state of Meghalaya. Since then it has developed some accoutrements of a typical modern Indian town, including a lot of concrete and some urban sprawl, but it retains some old-time charm in certain pockets – and a strong sense of individuality and difference, with its many Christian churches and its residents' tastes for hanging out in cafes, playing and watching rock music and football, driving around in spruced-up automobiles and gambling on archery. The heart of town is Police Bazar (PB to locals) where seven roads meet at a hectic roundabout.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Don Bosco Museum of Indigenous Cultures

    Don Bosco Museum of Indigenous Cultures

    Shillong

    This well-displayed museum is a fabulous repository of tribal artefacts interspersed with exhibits on Christian missionary work. The self-guided visit…

  • Khasi Hills Archery Sports Institute

    Khasi Hills Archery Sports Institute

    Shillong

    This is the venue for a 50-person archery event whose outcome is the subject of a highly popular betting game in Shillong, known as Thoh Tim or Teer or…

  • Wankhar Entomology Museum

    Wankhar Entomology Museum

    Shillong

    This remarkable one-room display of pinned butterflies, moths, rhinoceros beetles and stick insects is housed in the home of the original collector. Most…

  • Ward’s Lake

    Ward’s Lake

    Shillong

    The central landscaping element of colonial-era Shillong, this attractive lake has a pretty ornamental bridge, adjacent flower beds and manicured lawns,…

  • Shillong Golf Course

    Shillong Golf Course

    Shillong

    Walk 2km northeast of Police Bazar to stroll the rolling meadows of Shillong Golf Course, bordered by pine trees and overlooked by a pretty clubhouse. You…

  • Pinewood Hotel

    Pinewood Hotel

    Shillong

    The centrally located Pinewood Hotel is a 1920s tea-growers' retreat that is particularly representative of colonial-era architecture. It's now a state…

  • Presbyterian Church

    Presbyterian Church

    Shillong

    The Presbyterian Church, perched above Police Bazar, is a graceful structure in whose grounds stands a statue of Thomas Jones, the still-revered Welsh…

View more attractions
  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/top
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "destination": "Shillong",
  "city": "Shillong",
  "region": "Meghalaya",
  "continent": "Asia",
  "country": "India"
}

Plan with a local

in partnership with getyourguide

Book popular activities in Shillong

  • placement: fullWidth
  • path: destinations/bottom
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [300, 250], [320, 50], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "destination": "Shillong",
  "city": "Shillong",
  "region": "Meghalaya",
  "continent": "Asia",
  "country": "India"
}