Meghalaya is one of the best places in India if you want to spend your vacation close to nature. In this article, we share the best places to visit in Meghalaya trip.
Meghalaya is a tourist spot boasting the rich beauty of the picturesque waterfall, hills with pleasant weather, vibrant culture and tribes that give its unique looks and feel. Meghalaya means “abode of clouds”, and once you enter this state, you can feel the sense of Meghalaya. About 70 per cent of the state is forested with different kinds of plants. Meghalaya is one of the Seven Sister States of northeast India. Apart from many places to visit in Meghalaya, this state is rich in valuable minerals like coal, limestone, uranium and sillimanite. Meghalaya has average annual rainfall as high as 12,000 mm (470 in) in some areas, making it the wettest place on Earth.
List of 5 Best Places to Visit in Meghalaya
1. Cherrapunji
Cherrapunji is a town in the East Khasi Hills district in Meghalaya, also known as the East Khasi Hills district Khasi tribal kingdom. It has an average elevation of 1,430 metres (4,690 ft) above sea level, so the weather here is not very cold or not very hot; it’s always pleasant weather here. Cherrapunji holds two Guinness world records for receiving the maximum rainfall in July 1861 and a single year in 19861.
How to Reach Cherrapunji: The best way to reach Cherrapunji is to hire taxis from the Paltan Bazaar bus stand in Guwahati if you are coming by flight. The nearest airport to Cherrapunji is Guwahati airport, located 175 km from the town. The closest biggest bus stand is Shillong, around 50km from Cherrapunji. A bus is the most economical mode of transportation to reach Cherranpunji. The nearest railway Station to Cherranpunji is Guwahati Railway Station.
Cherrapunjee has many resorts to stay at, and the best thing about Cherrapunjee resort is that it pocket friendly in price. An ample number of hotels and guest houses are also available to stay in.
Must place to visit in Cherrapunji are Rainbow falls, Mawkdok Dympep valley and Arwah cave.
2. Shillong
Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya, and it’s also called “Scotland of the East”. Besides being a most developed city, it also offers dense forest mountains, a mild climate, and scenic beauty, which helps to attract more than a thousand tourists from all over India and aboard.
How to Reach Shillong: Shillong has its airport located 30 km from the city, but minimal flights land here daily. Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport Guwahati is the biggest airport near Shillong. By road, Shillong is well connected with NH 40 and Nh 44. There is no direct train line to Shillong. Guwahati to Shillong distance is around 100 km, and it takes about 4 hours to reach. There is no direct train from Guwahati to Shillong.
Shillong Tourist Places: The most famous tourist spots in Shillong are Shillong Peak, Elephant Falls, Lady Hydari Park, Wards, Lake, and Don Bosco Museum. Shillong tourism has done much work to develop many tourist places in Shillong. There are many tourist spots in Shillong, making it one of the best places to visit in Meghalaya.
3. Double-decker Living Root Bridge
Double-decker Living Root Bridge is a man-made natural bridge from the long roots of trees. The iconic bridge is made of 2 tree root entanglements. The root bridges are located in a tiny village of Nongriat in the East Khasi Hills. This type of bridge can hold up to 3 tones of weight and 30 people simultaneously. Double-decker Living Root Bridge is the best places to visit in Meghalaya because you can’t find these types of trees and views anywhere in India.
How to reach Double-decker Living Root Bridge – The most important thing to reach Double-decker Living Root Bridge is to hike for around 2500 steps, so you should be physically fit. The nearest bigger town is Cherrapunjee. You can hire a taxi to reach this place. If you plan to travel less, you can take the bus from Shillong.
4. Nohkalikai Falls
Nohkalikai Falls is the tallest waterfall in India, with a height of 350 meters. Gushing down from an altitude of 1150 feet, this is one of the most popular places in Meghalaya. It is also known as the Seven Sisters’ Waterfall. Nohkalikai Falls is located in the Sohra area of the Khasi Hills; this waterfall makes beautiful rainbows.
How to reach Nohkalikai Falls – The nearest airport is Guwahati airport which is 140 km from Nohsngithiang Falls. The nearest railhead is at Guwahati Railway station, connected with all major cities of India. Cabs are readily available, but it’s pretty costly if you are planning to visit on less budget than taking a bus to Shillong. From Bada Bazaar, Shillong takes a government bus to Cherrapunjee. From Cherrapunjee, you can take a taxi or an auto to the Nohkalikai Falls.
5. Mawlynnong Village
Mawlynnong village was less explored until it won the award for ‘Asia’s cleanest village’ by Discovery India magazine in 2003 and cleanest in India in 2005 by Discover India magazine. After getting lots of public attention and publicity, Mawlynnong Meghalaya became one of the significant places to visit in Meghalaya. The village is not very big and around 110 families living here from Khasi tribes. The living root bridge is the most popular attraction nearby Mawlynnong village.
How to reach Mawlynnong village – The nearest airport is the Shillong Airport to Mawlynnong village. The airport is around 103 km away and takes 3 to 4 hours to drive by taxi. By road, it’s located about 80km from Meghalaya’s capital Shillong. Mawlynnong to Cherrapunji is approximately 85km, and it takes about 3 hours to reach. The nearest railway station is Guwahati at a distance of 170km, and it takes 5 to 6 hours to drive.
The balancing rock of Mawlynnong and the Living root bridge are the best places to visit in Meghalaya Mawlynnong village.
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