Best things to do in Shillong, Meghalaya
The city of Shillong is bustling and busy, like most Indian cities, with many things to do, especially for nature lovers. With a drive out of the city you can soon find beautiful nature to enjoy. Some of the sights can take a while to drive to so I recommend visiting when you have at least a few days to explore and are not in a rush.
Top things to do in Shillong (from a local):
My partner, Anmol, grew up in Shillong so I had a great guide and I am confident he took me to the best spots around ;).
Elephant Falls
Famous amongst tourists and locals for couple’s pictures, Elephant Falls is the perfect place to capture a cute shot in front of the waterfall.
According to local legends, the falls were originally known as “Ka Kshaid Lai Pateng Khohsiew” in the Khasi language, which translates to “Three Steps Waterfall.” The current name, “Elephant Falls,” was given during the British colonial era due to a rock formation resembling an elephant near the falls.
Insider tip: there are actually two entrances to these falls. If you input Elephant Falls into Google Maps it will take you to the older entrance where you can walk down to the foot of the falls. However, it gets quite crowded with visitors and people selling souvenirs at stalls. On the other side there is a park you pay a small admission fee called Matilang Park with a restaurant and a green area to walk around in while you enjoy great views of the falls. This side is much less crowded, although you can’t get quite as close to the falls.
Laitlum Canyon
Dramatic views of a gorgeous green canyon. I recommend spending a couple hours here. You can walk along the rim for a while and then set up a picnic on a blanket to eat in the fields.
Umiam Lake
Picturesque man-made lake where you can go for a motor boat ride or take a walk through the adjoining park, Nehru Park. You can grab a bite to eat at Orchid Resort or circle to the far side of the lake for lunch at Sao Aiom Restaurant at Ri Kynjai Resort, where they have one of the best restaurants in Shillong.
Ward’s Lake
This manmade lake is at the center of a well maintained park located right in town. You can pay a small entrance fee to take a pleasant stroll on the path that circles the lake. There are also paddleboats you can rent to take out on the lake.
The lake was named after Sir William Ward, the then Chief Commissioner of Assam, who envisioned creating a serene retreat for the residents of Shillong. The construction of the lake commenced in the late 19th century, and it was completed in the early 20th century under the guidance of Colonel Hopkins.
Shillong Peak
This peak offers panoramic views of the busy city and the rolling green hills surrounding it. It’s in a military defense area so be aware that you will need your ID to be here. You park at the gates and take a free shuttle you up to the peak where there is a viewpoint with snack and tea shops.
Sweet Falls
A sweet little waterfall. While not actually that little – it is 96 meters high – it is a single thin stream of water (not tiered).
Sweet Falls is often deemed the most dangerous waterfall in the area due to the treacherous plummet of the falls and slippery slopes around it. Some people say it is haunted due to the number of tragic deaths that have taken place there from suicides and accidents. For that reason, it’s important to stay on marked paths and viewing platforms for this waterfall.
Shillong has a handful of waterfalls in and around it that are worth exploring.
Police Bazaar
This lively shopping market in Shillong has roadside stalls and indoor shopping malls. You can find a wide array of items here including traditional handicrafts and souvenirs, clothing, electronics, and local street food.
Bara Bazaar
The oldest market in Shillong with very small little lanes where you can find anything from fish to jewelry. Whatever you can think of, I challenge you to find it here!
FAQs: traveling in Shillong
Breaking down some top questions about traveling in Meghalaya’s capital city.
How to get to Shillong
The best way to get Shillong is flying plus driving. The nearest airport is in the city of Guwahati. It’s about 3 hour drive to Shillong from there, depending on traffic.
When is the best time to visit Shillong?
The abode of the clouds is best enjoyed with the clouds! During the monsoon is the best time to see the gushing water streams that transform the nature scenes in the surrounding area. Between the end of May to October is best to witness the natural beauty of landscape.
October to March the rainfall is much lighter and the weather cools down so if you want to avoid the harsh rain and don’t care about seeing waterfalls, you can visit then.
If you are planning a trip around Meghalaya there’s a lot to consider when deciding on when to visit.
How many days are enough for Shillong?
The city itself and the nearby sights can be enjoyed in two to three days. However, you’ll want to plan for some overnight trips to nearby Cherapunjee, the village of Mawlynnong, and likely you’ll want to do the full day hike to see the Living Root Bridges. So I would spend a week in the area to be able to experience the highlights of Meghalaya.
What’s the best way to get around Shillong?
The best way to get around Shillong is to have your own car. Whether you are self driving or hire a driver, roads are the best way to get around. And even then, the roads are a little worse for the wear. Public transportation is not a strength of Meghalaya.
Plan for extra time on drives. You’ll want to stop along the way for pictures of roadside views. But also it always takes more time than Google Maps may predict because of the road conditions and traffic.
Don’t trust Google Maps. It’s important to verify your destination using more than Google Maps. We noted the destination for Laitlum was miles off from its actual location. Maps also took us down roads that were closed or didn’t exist.
What’s the best place to stay in Shillong?
I have curated a full list of the best hotels in Shillong for every type of traveler. The top two hotels in Shillong are the Vivanta and the Courtyard by Marriott.
📍Vivanta, Meghalaya, Shillong
In 2022, Shillong’s first ever 5 star hotel opened, helping to bring high end service levels to tourism in the area. You can book a stay at the Vivanta for about $160 per night.
📍Courtyard by Marriott, Shillong
If you are a Marriott points collector, another very recent addition to the city is the Courtyard by Marriott. The nightly rate is less than the Vivanta.
TL;DR: Best Things to do in Shillong
Shillong is worth visiting, but mostly for the surrounding nature. You can hit the highlights in the city in a day or two. After that you should spend at least a few days covering other places nearby. Many of the top things in Meghalaya will require long and windy drives from Shillong, specifically my personal favorite, Shnongpdeng. Learn more about the little village on the Umngot River in this post: 19 Best Meghalaya Tourist Places, Landmarks + Fun Facts.
Also, be sure to spend a couple days in nearby Cherapunjee. Check out this post for what to do there.