HEADLINES:  

INTRODUCTION

The city derives its name from the 'Leishyllong', the super God who resides on the Shillong peak, as if protecting the city. Shillong  the captivating hill station is at an altitude of 1496 mts.Shillong is a cool land where clouds float at your feet, hills emerges from its bosom and soar high like a chorus and panoramic changes with unbelievable frequency.Shillong is also popularly known as "Scotland of the East" .

ORIENTATION

Shillong in the state of Meghalaya is bounded on the north by the Umiam gorge, on the northwest by the great mass of the Diengiei Hills that rise up to a height of 1,823 meters (6077 ft.) above sea level, and on the northeast by the hills of the Assam valley.

HISTORY

Shillong was initially a summer camp for the people Eastern Bengal and Assamese but in 1864 it became the civil station of the Khasi and Jaintia hills. Later in 1874 after Assam was given the status of a province,Shillong was declared as its capital. Only after the renovation of the city due to the 1897 earthquake, Shillong became the capital of the newly formed state of Meghalaya.

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS

The most common festivals celebrated in Shillong like in any other part of the country are Christmas, Easter, Good Friday and the New Year.Ka Pomblang Nongkrem, or the Nongkrem dance and Shad Sukmynsiem are the most important Khasi festivals. Behdiengkhlam, the festival of the Jaintias, is celebrated in July. Then there is the Wangala festival of the Garos that is dedicated to the Sun God.

PLACES OF INTERESTS

SOHPETBNENG PEAK

According to the Khasi mythology Sohpetbneng Peak is popularly known as 'Navel-of-heaven' for this heavenly peak gives the people a feeling of spiritual relaxation having no incumbent.

Thus this peak is an ideal place for those who wish to have consolation and peace of mind. Situated at a height of 1,343m, 20-km from Shillong, regarded as sacred by the Hynniewtrep people, is set amidst a beautiful scenic view against the backdrop of sacred forest.

ANGLICAN CEMETERY

This is a very old cemetery dating back to the last century situated in Rilbong.There are grave stones of soldiers in this churchyard who were killed in the Lushai campaign in Mizoram.

SPREAD EAGLE FALLS

Spread Eagle Falls is reffered by the local as "Urkaliar" or the falls into which Ka Liar slipped. It got its name because of its appearance like an eagle with wings spread out. The falls is featured by steep cliffs on three sides with a very deep pool beneath.

RENGTHIAM FALLS

This waterfall is supposed to be very unique and it is away from all pollution of the town.Rengthiam falls is situated in the mawlyngad village at a distance of 15-km from Shillong on the Shillong - Jowai highway. It is noted for its beauty and surroundings.

LADY HYDARI PARK

Lady Hydari Park, owes its existence to the erstwhile nature loving first lady of the state, Lady Hydari the wife of Governor of Assam. This mini zoo clubbed with a deer park stretches for more than one Kilometer and presents some of the best grown and bred rose beds. The park is very well maintained.

It is an ideal place for family and lovers. There is also a beautiful butterfly museum attached to this park.

BEADON FALLS

The Beadon waterfall in Mawprem is situated amidst flourishing green growth of verdant forests. The water in this falls gushes down from a height of about 100 feet. An operational hydroelectric powerhouse is situated at the base of the falls. It is an ideal spot for picnics.

BISHOP'S FALLS

The Bishop's Waterfall is often referred to as the twin brother of the Beadon Waterfall since both tumble down the same steep descent and leave the visitors with an involuntary intake of breath through a wide open mouth. There are few hotels and local vendors who offer a fairly decent grub.

ELEPHANT FALLS

This waterfall is supposed to be very unique and it is away from all pollution of the town.Rengthiam falls is situated in the mawlyngad village at a distance of 15-km from Shillong on the Shillong - Jowai highway. It is noted for its beauty and surroundings.

BOTANICAL GARDEN

The Botanical Garden is situated just below the Ward's Lake and it remains very remote from others. The garden is a very captivating spot with superabundance of indigenous and exotic plants.

KYLLANF ROCK

The Kyllang rock, a circular dome like structure which is a massive single granite stone at a great altitude. This rock of about 1,000 ft diameter is situated on the road from Mairang to Nongkhlaw.

LUM NEHRU PARK

Lum Nehru Park is another very well maintained area situated adjacent to the orchid lake resort. This park apart from its regular lawns has orchid-house and an aviary. Soon there are plans of contracting an aquarium and musical fountains in Lum Nehru park.

SHILLONG PEAK

Shillong Peak is the highest point in the state with a height of about  1965 m above sea level giving a beautiful of the country side especially in the evenings with the sparkling lights. The spiritual pastor of Mylliem State offers prayers at the sanctum during springtime. This is ideal for weekend picnics and is situated at a distance of about 10kms from the town.

STATE MUSEUM

Meghalaya's State Museum, in Lachumiere, has exhibits depicting tribal customs and a weaker collection of ancient scriptures from elsewhere in India. People coming to Shillong should never miss this museum which is very informative.

THADLASKEIN LAKE

Thadlaskein Lake is a beautiful lake at a distance of about 56-km from Shillong.It is believed that this lake was dug by the followers of the Jaintia Chieftain U Sajar Nangli.

WARD LAKE

This man made lake in the heart of the city was built by Chief Commissioner William Ward in 1893-94.ward lake is featured with a white wooden Japanese like bridge and different varities of fishes.

UMIAM LAKE

Umiam Lake entertains the tourists with a number of water sports like sailing, water skiing and water scooter. It is located at a distance of about 17 km from Shillong.

GOLF COURSE

The third oldest golf course in India. Developed in 1889 as a nine hole course, was later converted to 18 holes in 1924 by Captain Jackson and C. R. Rhodes. It is termed as the 'Gleneagle of the East' at the United States Golf Association Library and Museum.

CHERRAPUNJEE

Cherrapunjee at an altitude of about 1,300 m above sea level is one of the rainiest belt in the world. Apart from the famous Nohsngithiang falls, Cherrapunjee is also known for its limestone caves and orange honey. The town also houses the oldest Presbyterian Church and an establishment of the Ramkrishna Mission. It is the for  Khaki culture and literature.Cherrapunjee is 56 km from Shillong.

CATHEDRAL CATHOLIC CHURCH

This is situated in the heart of the city and it is a beautiful cathedral of Roman Catholics dedicated to Mary Help of Christian.

SHOPPING

The main shopping items in Shillong includes hand woven baskets, hand-woven shawls, handicrafts, orange flower honey and cane work. The shopping list also includes ethnic stuff from exotic fruit and pickle to forest honey. Other recommended items in shopping include knives, cotton bags, shawls, wooden cutlery and osier work. Wooden cutlery, dried flower decoration, traditional silk apparels, shawls, and wire mesh artwork. Silk weaving of Endi silk is also very famous. The Khasi dress is very famous for women where they wear an attractive large round hat composed of a circular bamboo frame with a thick brim that is covered with cloth. The main shopping area is the Police Bazaar and the Bara Bazaar or Lewduh.The other shopping outlets in Shillong are

Meghalaya Handloom and Handicrafts
Purbashree
Manipur Emporium
Tantuja
Assam Emporium
Nagaland Handloom and Handicraft.

HOW TO REACH

By Air

is a small airport at Umroi, about 40km from Shillong.Another option, which is possibly more reliable, is the airport at Guwahati. Buses are also available from Guwahati city to Shillong.

By Trains

Shillong does not have its own railhead. The closest station is at Guwahati, connected by several superfast trains.

By Road

Guwahati to Shillong is about 4 hours' drive through NH 40. It has an excellent network of roads, though narrow in certain parts. The main interstate bus stand is located right next to Guwahati railway station. Buses are also operated by Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) and Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC), plying every half an hour from Guwahati to Shillong.