15 Best Tourist Places in Shillong

Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, which means "The Abode of Clouds." It is a beautiful hill station in northeastern India. Shillong welcomes a large number of visitors from all over the nation each year who come to enjoy the city's abundant natural beauty. Shillong experiences a significant increase in tourism throughout the year. The following is a list of some of the most well-known tourist sites in the vicinity of Shillong's main city.

1. Don Bosco Museum

The Don Bosco Museum, considered Asia's largest museum of aboriginal society, is the home of Northeast India's exquisite history and culture. It is located close to the Police Bazaar in the Mawlai Phudmuri, Shillong. It extends seven storeys into Shillong's skyline, with 16 well-designed galleries exhibiting artefacts, artworks, and personalities vital to Northeastern history. These not only present a striking image for visitors but also provide insight into the livelihood of the inhabitants of the North-East.

The importance of the Don Bosco Museum may be seen in the fact that it has been visited by members of the Rajya Sabha as well as the Thai princess.

In the summer, the museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and, in the winter, i.e., from December 1 to January 31, it is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. On Sunday and other national holidays, it is closed. The entry fee for Indians is 100 INR, whereas it is 200 INR for foreigners. If you would like to see the museum properly, it will take you a minimum of half an hour and a maximum of 3 hours.

2. Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians

The Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians is the seat of the Metropolitan Archbishop's jurisdiction of Shillong and the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Shillong. It was constructed in 1913. It encompasses the East Khasi Hills and Ri-Bhoi districts, which contain 35 church regions. It is located in Shillong's Laitumkhrah district.

The Cathedral, which was completed over 50 years ago, is the primary place for prayers for the Shillong's catholic. This cathedral is titled after Mary, Jesus Christ's mother. Another group of 14 Stations of the Cross can be found on the Cathedral Church's interior edges. They show scenes from Jesus Christ's struggle and crucifixion and are made of terracotta in elevation. Several works of church art depict scenes from Holy Scripture and the lives of Saints inside of the Church. It is open from 07:00 a.m. to 06:30 p.m. on Monday to Saturday and from 08:00 a.m. to 06:30 p.m. on Sunday. It does not have any entry fee.

3. Khasi Heritage Village

Sweet Falls is one of Shillong's most attractive waterfalls, despite its steepness. It's approximately 5 kilometres from Shillong's Happy Valley. It is generally referred to as the most beautiful yet deadly waterfall in the world, with a height of 96 metres. The path to the waterfall is not well-maintained and can be rather dangerous, as it is surrounded by slick and slimy stones, which has resulted in a number of horrific stories.

Locals say that this particular fall is possessed because it has also been the site of countless suicides and many deaths. They also say that p people who travel in odd quantities return in even quantities. It's a famous picnic destination surrounded by trees, and vegetation and bustling with the melodies of birds chirping. Near the waterfalls, there is also a butterfly exhibit and a little zoo.

4. Butterfly Museum

It is also referred to as the Entomological Museum. It is one of the most well-known tourist attractions in the city. It is located near Christian Academy School on the Riatsamthiah Jaiaw. The museum has a large variety of colourful butterflies, beetles, moths, and other insects on display. Butterfly breeding is also done at the museum for income. The Butterfly Museum is owned and operated by Wankhar, Riatsamthiah, who also organizes regular conservation activities for butterflies, moths and many other insects. If you're travelling with children, this is a fantastic spot to go.

The museum is open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Monday to Friday and from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on Saturday. It is closed on Sunday. The entry fee is 50 INR.

5. Lady Hydari Park

The park was named after the state's nature-loving first lady, Lady Hydari, the wife of the Governor of Assam. It is conveniently located in Shillong's Laban area. It has a little zoo that is connected with a deer park that extends over one kilometre and features some of the best-grown rose beds. The zoo, park, and lovely flower beds combine to create a great setting for families to relax and spend time together. When you see round-shaped hedges, willow evergreens with leaves touching the ground, and a smattering of little ponds, the feelings become even stronger.

Tourists of different ages visit the picturesque Lady Hydari Park and walk on the paved pathways in the evenings, observing and praising the nicely maintained lawns with an intriguing array of orchids and rhododendrons. Visitors can come to the park in the afternoon and rest on the lawn in winter. It's a great spot to take the kids because there's a fun play area for them. There is also a boating area.

Except on Mondays, it is open every day of the week. The times of the park are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For the Butterfly Museum Timings are from 11.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. the entry fee is 10 INR and free for children.

6. Elephant Falls

Elephant Falls, near Shillong, Meghalaya, India, is a two-tiered waterfall. The indigenous Khasi people call it 'Ka Kshaid Lai Pateng Khohsiew,' which translates to 'The Three Step Waterfalls,' since the falls include three fascinating falls in sequence. The mountain stream flows down through two waterfalls situated in fern-covered rock dells. It is one of the most renowned falls in the lovely state of Meghalaya, located 12 kilometres from the capital city of Shillong.

The name of the fall comes from a large rock that resembled an elephant that was discovered near the fall by Englishmen during the British era. An earthquake in 1897 completely destroyed this rock. Elephant Waterfalls is a fantastic area to spend some time in nature while capturing unforgettable memories for your memory.

It is open from 10:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m. on Monday to Satay and closed on Sunday. It doesn't have any entry fee. The maximum time required to see the waterfall is 1 hour.

7. Air Force Museum

The Air Force Museum is a wonderful place to learn about the country's defence forces, particularly the Air Force. It is located in the Upper Shillong neighbourhood in Sohra Road, East Khasi Hills District. The museum has aircraft models, rockets, original pilot uniforms, small models of missiles, machinery, and technology displays of the Indian Air Force- Eastern Command, as well as photographs of the Indochina and Indo-Pak battles.

It is closed on Monday, Sunday and public holidays. It opens in winters from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and in summers from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The museum may be seen in its entirety in no more than two hours.

8. Shillong Peak

The highest point in Shillong is Shillong Peak. It stands at a height of 6449 feet (1950 metres) above sea level. It provides a stunning comprehensive view of the city, as well as the Himalayas, their waterfalls, and the Bangladesh lands. Tourists can use a telescope to gain a perfect view. To look at the best views, trekking up to the half-circular Shillong Peak is highly advised, however, it is frequently surrounded by thick fog. The Indian Air Force's radar station is located on the Shillong Peak, which is part of the air force installation. Heavy security checks are conducted at the entrance, and travellers are asked to deposit their cameras.

The time to view the peak is from 9:00 a.m. till 5:00 p.m. The entry fee is 30 INR. The price for taking a telescope is 10 INR for 1 minute. The time required to fully see the peak is less than an hour.

9. Police Bazar

Shillong's main market, Police Bazar, is a popular shopping destination for both tourists and locals. The Police Bazaar contains a flea market portion that is pocket-friendly and draws the greatest number of tourists because of its traditional handcraft stores, fine Meghalaya goods, regional clothing and accessories, junk jewellery, and the like. You can buy hanging décor for your home, hand-woven shawls, traditional khasi dresses, khasi weapons, and Tibetan jewellery from there. It also has a variety of cafes, restaurants, hotels, and big-brand stores. Shopping enthusiasts and foodies go to the vibrant market.

The markets are well-designed, forming a large circle or chowk in the centre of the police bazaar, filled with plants and trees, and surrounded by seven roads that lead to various parts of the city. Many of the streets in Police Bazaar are car-free zones, making them ideal for street shopping. The best time to visit the bazaar is from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The bazaar usually stays close on Sunday.

10. Ward's Lake

Ward's Lake is located in the middle of Shillong. Ward's Lake is founded by a man William Ward, the Chief Commissioner of Assam who initiated the creation of the lake. therefore, the lake is named after him. You can easily get to Ward's Lake using any local transportation option because of its convenient location. Pollock Lake or Nan Polok is how the locals refer to it. It's a man-made lake enclosed by a lush green garden.

The entire city has been developed around this important tourist destination. The picturesque lake is a favourite picnic location for locals and tourists who come to simply walk around the horseshoe-shaped lake or sit and take in the breathtaking garden beds that are bursting with colour. A little bridge built in the middle of Ward's Lake allows guests to view the entire body of water from afar or feed the tiny fish swimming about in the water. You can also go paddle boating on the lake.

The lake is open from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. during the months of November to February and 8:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. during the months of March to October. The entry fee for adults is 10 INR and for children, Senior Citizens and Differently Abled People it is 5 INR.

11. Shillong Golf Course

Shillong has one of Asia's oldest golf courses. It is amazingly beautiful and was created by the British. If the weather is clear and sunny, it might provide a scenic landscape. Over 5000 feet above sea level, the golf course is situated in peaceful, gorgeous surroundings. Pine and Rhododendron trees thrive on the ground. Everything is green till your eyes can see it, which creates a calming effect.

Both locals and visitors visit and spend time wandering and relaxing on the grounds. It is a location to be in nature amid the metropolitan bustle of Shillong. The location is suggested for families as well because kids enjoy the wide-open spaces to let off steam. The golf course opens at 8 a.m. it doesn't charge any entry fee.

12. Ever Living Museum

It is located in Shillong's Mawshbuit Village. It is a privately held museum. The Living Museum displays the love of nature, heritage, culture, posterity, and history. It is a three-part ethnographic museum that has artefacts from the hill tribes of the Garo, Khasi, and Jaintia Hills. The first portion contains Meghalayan tribesmen's weaponry and armour, both modern and ancient. The bamboo handicrafts are on display in the second gallery. The third is a lovely lawn with native plants, fruits, and orchids, among other things.

The museum opens from 11:00 a.m. till 6:00 p.m. from March to September and from11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from October to February. It remains closed on Good Friday, Easter and Christmas. The entry fee for adults is 50 INR, for college-going students 30 INR, and for children, it is 20 INR.

13. Meghalaya State Museum

The Meghalaya State Museum is a popular tourist destination since it contains a sizable collection of old scriptures and antiquities from the tribal age. It is at a distance of only 2km from the city centre of Shillong. The museum is run by the Meghalayan administration and is located inside the State Central Library complex at Laichumiere.

The musesum opens from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.n. on Monday to Saturday and is closed on Sunday. No entry fee is required. It usually takes you less than an hour to fully see the museum.

14. Rhino Heritage Museum

In Shillong, Meghalaya, the Rhino Heritage Museum is a war museum that is next to the Military Hospital. 3 kilometres separate it from Shillong Bus Stand. It is one of Northeast India's most well-known war museums. It is rumoured that Japanese World War II captives were held here when the museum was founded in 1928. Lt. Gen. Shokin Chauhan, director-general of the Assam Rifles, recently completed renovations on the structure and inaugurated it. Both military-related historical images and items relating to the local culture are shown in the museum.

The museum features several exhibits that display artefacts including the uniforms of the fallen troops, medals, and several World War II-era Japanese-made weapons. The museum contains a gallery created in Captain Keishing Clifford Nongrum's honour. The bravery quote, a few pictures, his father's letter, and reproductions of some of his handwritten manuscripts are all presented in this gallery. Rifles, machine guns, and other weapons made by China, Iraq, and NATO are among the museum's further exhibits.

The time of the museum is from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and after a 2hr break, it opens again from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is closed on Thursday. The entry fee is 50 INR.

15. Spread Eagle Falls

The Spread Eagle Falls are believed to be Shillong's widest waterfalls. It is situated 6 kilometres from Shillong Cantonment in the East Khasi District. The glittering waterfall is also referred to as Sati Falls or Urkaliar since it is thought that Ka Liar accidentally fell into it. The magnificent waterfall flows down rocky hills, rising on three sides into a huge pool of water that is perfect for travellers to sit and gaze at. Locals in the area frequently picnic at Spread Eagle Falls, which resembles an eagle with its wings spread wide. Due to Meghalaya's favourable year-round weather, Spread Eagle Falls is a popular tourist site. Spread Eagle Falls can be visited at any time. No entry fee is required.