Shillong
Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, is one of the most stunningly beautiful hill More
Shillong
Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, is one of the most stunningly beautiful hill stations in India. Located at an altitude of 4,908 feet above sea level, Shillong is known as the “Scotland of the East” because of the rolling plains in the town. The greenery, waterfalls and the rolling plains make Shillong nothing short of a paradise on earth.
Elephant Falls
Location in east Khasi hills district in upper Shillong, the captivating Elephant Falls is a two-tier waterfall. And just a short distance away from Elephant Falls, lie two smaller but equally beautiful waterfalls namely Wir Phang Falls and Wei Iaplam Falls. Other waterfalls at Shillong include Spread Eagle Falls, Sweet Falls, Bishop & Beadon Falls.
Shillong Peak
Want to capture the bird’s-eye-view of the picturesque Shillong? Head to the Shillong peak. Located at 6,433 feet in altitude, the Shillong peak is the highest point in Meghalaya. Go there to admire the spectacular view of the city and its countryside.
Lady Hydari Park
Named after the wife of the first Governor of Assam, Lady Hydari; this park includes a deer park, mini zoo, and an open area for kids to play. Landscaped in a Japanese style gardens, it is a must-visit park while you are on a Shillong trip for its strikingly beautiful rose-beds, small ponds, willow trees and an abundance of plants and flowers.
Umiam Lake
Located in the north of Shillong, Umiam Lake offers opportunities for relaxation and adventure sports such as boating and kayaking. Also known as ‘Barapani’ (big water), the Umiam Lake resembles the lakes of Scotland.
Golf Course
Whether you like to play golf or not, head to the Shillong Golf Course for its sheer beauty. Surrounded by groves of pine and rhododendron trees, this golf course is situated at an altitude of 5200 ft and is one of the oldest and the best natural golf course in the world.
Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians
Shillong is dotted with many churches. Among the most popular is the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians. It is a beautiful cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese located in the heart of the city.
Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures
Want to know more about North-East? Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures contains a treasure trove of artifacts and information on the entire North Eastern states. It has a great collection of ornamentation, attire, weapons, and rare photographs.
How to Reach:
By plane
Shillong Airport is in Umroi which is about 40km from Shillong. You can take a flight to Umroi only from Calcutta. Once reaching the airport, you can take a bus or taxi to reach the Shillong market.
Another airport is the Gopinath Bordoloi Airport in Guwahati which is 104 km from Shillong. This airport is connected to the rest of India with regular flights. You can take a shared cab or taxi from here. It takes around 5 hours from Guwahati Airport to Shillong.
By train
There are no rail lines in Meghalaya. The nearest railway station for Shillong is in Guwahati (105 km). And it takes about 5 hours via taxi to reach Shillong from Guwahati railway station.
Gangtok
Peaks of the Himalaya
The capital and the largest town of the Indian state of Sikkim, Gangtok is a scenic, friendly hill station nestled within higher peaks of the Himalaya. Blesssed with pleasant weather and a plethora of attractions, Gangtok tourism is flourishing. This city is a melting pot of different ethnicity and cultures namely – Tibetan, Nepalis, and indigenous Sikkimese.
Ropeway Cable Car
One of the exciting things to do in Gangtok is to ride on the Ropeway Cable Car. It is a memorable experience as the joy ride offers breathtaking views of the city. Enjoy spectacular view of the scenic landscape, snow-capped mountains. And soak in the ethereal charm of the place.
Enchey Monastery
While in Gangtok, do visit the serene two hundred year old Enchey Monastery. Belonging to the Nyingma order of Vajrayana Buddhism, the meaning of Enchey Monastery is the “Solitary Monastery”. The peaceful environment, Buddhist architecture and the calmness is sure to make you fall in love with this place.
Ganesh Tok
See and admire the spectacular views of the Kanchenjunga (the world’s third-highest mountain) and the surrounding hills from the Ganesh Tok located on a hill.
Saramsa Garden
Located 14 km east of Gangtok, Saramsa Garden is a picturesque public garden which is home to different varieties of exotic orchids, and many other rare plants of Sikkim.
How to Reach:
The nearest airport to Gangtok is at Bagdogra. Once there you can hire a cab or taxi to go the city. The nearest railway station to Gangtok is New Jalpaiguri in Siliguri from where various trains run to New Delhi and other major cities in India.
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