Shillong the capital of a small state in North East part of India called Meghalaya, attracts visitors who have a keen inclination towards the God created beauty. Also known as ‘Scotland of the East’ for its scenic landmarks resembles the beautiful land of Scotland. Situated at an altitude of 4980 ft (1496m) above sea level with ‘lum shyllong’ being the highest point at 1965m, it has an approximate population of about 260,000 according to 2001 census.

It derives its name from a peak of the same name but there are also legends associated with it. One such legend is that the name came from a young handsome boy called ‘Shyllong’ who was born under mysterious conditions to a virgin mother.

Shillong was established in mid 1800s by Colonel Henry Hopkinson as a refuge for officers and staff of East India Company during summers. It was made into a new civil station by British in 1864 and was also designated as the summer capital of Eastern Bengal and Assam for many years. Finally on 21st January 1972 Meghalya was declared a new state with Shillong as its capital.

Modes of transport:

Shillong is well connected by roads to its neighbors through roads. The nearest ones being Cherrapunji, Umroi, Johrabhat, Nongpoh and Guwahati(Assam). There are no railway tracks as such. So the nearest railway station is Guwahati which is just 101 km from Shillong. Guwahati is well connected by rail and there are a number of trains that head towards Guwahati. For more information you could log on to the website www.indianrail.gov.in to get an insight on the fares, timing, ticket availability and other such details. Guwahati airport is also easily accessible with almost all known airlines flying in. Hence getting to Guwahati would be no difficult task. The journey from Guwahati to Shillong takes about 2 ½ -3 hours by road.

Taxis are readily available from each end. It would cost you around Rs.1100 for a full taxi comprising of 5 passengers hence for an individual it would cost around Rs.250. Sumo's and other such bulk passenger carrying taxis are also available which would cost more. Pre-paid taxis could be accessed from outside the Guwahati railway station and airport. Fares from airport would be more as it is around 120km from Shillong.

Bus service is also available and works out to be cheaper as compared to taxis. An ordinary bus of Meghalaya State Transport would cost you around Rs.150-180/person. A more deluxe bus would cost around Rs200-250/person. Bus services are also available from both Guwahati station and airport with again fares from airport being slightly high.

Air service is limited as there are no airports in Shillong. The closest one being Umroi which is around 30km from Shillong. Flights to this airport are very limited. But there are Helicopter services also available from Guwahati which would cost around Rs.625 for 30 minutes/person.
Note: It is advisable not to travel at night.

Places to see in and around Shillong:

Shillong is blessed with natural beauty. Mountain peaks, waterfalls, pine trees, calm and peaceful climate adds to the beauty. There are a lot of places to visit in and around Shillong that will leave a remarkable impact on you.
Wards Lake: A man made lake right in the heart of the city. It was built by Chief Commissioner William Ward in 1893. The lake has a white wooden bridge resembling somewhat the Japanese art with beautiful fishes in it. It’s a nice picnic spot with a botanical garden just next to it. Snacks are provided inside or else you could carry your own eatables. A minimal entry fee has to be paid in order to enter with extra charges for carrying a camera or a handy cam.

Elephant Falls: Situated around 12km from Shillong, this fall has its own eye catching features. A footpath leads to a bridge spanning across a mountain stream which descends into two successive falls set in the dells of the fern covered rocks. There are caves around this fall which can be accessed only through special permission. Entry fee is required here too. Provision for car parking is also provided. Snacks are easily available inside but you could carry your own eatables.

Lady Hydari Park: Lies in the heart of Shillong. Located just behind the Civil Hospital Complex, is the Park with a well maintained garden and mini-zoo. It is an ideal place for spending time or arrange picnic. A minimal entry fee has to be paid here too with eatables available both inside and outside the park.
Shillong View Point and Shillong Peak: Approximately 10kms from the city, this point offers a panoramic view of the spreading city below. The Shillong Peak is situated nearby and is the highest point in Meghalaya with an altitude of 1960 meters above sea level. No entry fee is required to be paid here. Small tea shops are available here.
Golf Course: The 18-hole course located within the city is considered to be one of the best natural golf courses in the world. Highly regarded among golfers, this course has been the venue of many championships for professionals and amateurs. The club house has been designed to resemble an English Manor. It is often referred to as the “Gleneagles of the East” at the United States Golf Association Library & Museum.
State Museum: The ideal place to get a quick insight into the life of the tribes of Meghalaya, as this Museum showcases their history, ethnography and lifestyle.

Catholic Cathedral: Situated between Dhankheti and Laitumkhrah this imposing structure is the Cathedral dedicated to May-Help of Christians. A beautiful statue of Jesus Christ is placed just opposite the Cathedral.
The Anglican Cemetery and Church: A quiet road from the “General’s Point” leads you to the Anglican Cemetery. British nationals who served under the crown in the North Eastern region are buried here and their tombstones make an interesting reading into history.

Motphran: The “Stone of France”. This was erected in memory of the many tribesmen from the North East who served under the British in France during the 1st world war.
Iewduh: Right next to Motphran is the largest traditional market of the Khasi, managed by the Syiem of Mylliem (local King). Traditional rituals are conducted every year within the market areas at “Khlieh Iew” This market at one time was the sole domain of women and is still dominated by them.
Rengthiam Falls: At a distance of 15-km from Shillong on the Shillong - Jowai highway is the awe-inspiring Rengthiam Falls. It is located in the Mwlyngad village.
Bara Pani: The Bara Pani Lake is situated on the Shillong-Guwahati highway. This is an ideal place to spend time too.

Cherrapunji: The ex-location to get the highest rainfall downpour. Not only that also the mountain cliffs and waterfalls make it an ideal spot to visit.
Mausangram: Not far from Cherrapunji, this place holds the current title of receiving the highest rainfall downpour. Surely a place you wouldn’t like to miss.
Police Bazaar: The very own market place of Shillong. It’s in a state of hustle and bustle almost the entire day. All sorts of clothes both ordinary and branded are available here. Great food joints and hotels are easily available too.
Bara Bazaar: The local vegetable market which has its own charm and restlessness. Very old buildings still stand here today. Electrical appliances, whole sale products and a lot of miscellaneous articles can be bought form here.

Places to Eat:

Shillong has its own local fruits and dishes which are very popular with the visitors.
Chinese: is quite popular here as it is prepared by the Chinese people themselves. Momos, thupkas, noodles also referred to as chow-chow, soups and all the Chinese delicacies are a must have here. There are a number of restaurants that provide wonderful Chinese food. Some of them are Eee Cee, Broadway, Embassy, Center Point, Abba, Bombay Chinese Center etc.

Jadoh: A traditional pork dish with a combination of rice and to give the finishing touches little bit of pork blood on top. This is available in selected joints only.
Saophlang: A white looking fruit which is easily available in the market places. It is served with local made black chutney that gives it a very good taste.
Dosniang: A particular type of pork preparation which tastes as good as its name. This is available in selected joints only.

Thrumba: A particular type of rice preparation enjoyed most with dosniang. This is available in selected joints only.
If you are interested in the more basic Indian dishes then they too are available here.
If you are interested in sweets then ‘Delhi Mistan’ is your one stop destination. There are other alternatives available but this sweet shop has its own popularity.

Kwai: Raw beetle nut. This is very popular here and available everywhere within Shillong only. First time users must be careful because it has a very strong drug like effect and could leave you unconscious for some time. It is tasteless and taken along with ‘Pan leaf’.

If you believe that a lot can happen over coffee then you surely must make it to Café Coffee Day popularly referred to as CCD which has just recently opened.

If you are interested in the very desi samosa or bread pakora etc. then Palace is where you should be headed to.

Places to Shop:

Shillong has a variety of things to shop for. If you are interested into handloom or other local made products then the Indian Emporium located at ‘Police Bazaar’ is an ideal place.

Else if you are interested in buying clothes then you have a wide range of option to choose from. The Glory’s Plaza is the kind of a mall for Shillong people. It has everything from clothes to food to books etc. The Bhutia Market within has all the latest fashion clothes and accessories available. Other shops are available too displaying their own products. Clothes are cheaper here and do not forget to negotiate for prices.

But if you are more of the branded types then you do not have to go far. All brands ranging from puma to reebok to nike etc. can be easily available at Police Bazar market. You could try Krishna’s, Mohini, Glamour, Selection Center, Bablas, Guru Nanak Super Market etc.

Article by Rahul Singh Hattar

An Indian Backpacker