IN · Meghalaya · 25.58°N 91.89°E

shillong

Khasi markets, pine-covered hills and waterfalls around Meghalaya's small capital.

Best time
October–December has clear skies and dry roads, and March–April is mild, with some showers. June–August brings very heavy rain: the waterfalls roar, but drives are slow and the views disappear.
How long
3 days
Getting there
No direct flights from KL. Fly with one stop, usually via Kolkata, to Guwahati (about 7–9 hours all in), then it's about 3 hours by road. India is 2.5 hours behind KL.
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IN · Meghalayashillong25.58°N 91.89°Egowherelah.com
Dear group chat,Khasi markets, pine-covered hills and waterfalls around Meghalaya's small capital.— gowherelahTo: whoever’s drivingShillongIN, Meghalaya
KLshillong
≈ 2,706 km from KL, as the crow flies
A view of the Elephant falls in Shillong. The three waterfalls, Bishop, Beadon and Elephant waterfalls is one of the major attractions of the "Scotland of the East"

Photo: Prasanta Kr Dutta · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each.

Shillong is the hill capital of Meghalaya, a city of pine trees, busy markets and a strong live-music scene. It's the base for the state's waterfalls and living root bridges, with Khasi food in town.

Makan

  1. JadohThe signature Khasi dish of red rice cooked with pork and spices.Map ↗
  2. PukhleinFried rice-flour and jaggery cakes, good with red tea.Map ↗
  3. TungtapA pungent dried-fish chutney, often eaten with boiled potatoes.Map ↗

Things to do

  1. IewduhAlso called Bara Bazaar, one of the biggest traditional markets in the northeast, run largely by Khasi women.Map ↗
  2. Don Bosco MuseumSeven floors on the cultures, crafts and costumes of northeast India.Map ↗
  3. Ward's LakeA small lake in the town centre, with a wooden bridge and garden paths.Map ↗
  4. Elephant Falls and Umiam LakeA three-tiered waterfall just south of town, and a big reservoir on the road in from Guwahati.Map ↗
  5. Living root bridgesNear Sohra (Cherrapunji), about two hours away: footbridges grown from rubber-tree roots. The double-decker at Nongriat is a steep walk of a few thousand steps.Map ↗

Good to know

  • Pork turns up in many Khasi dishes, even rice, and halal meat is hard to find; North Indian vegetarian restaurants are the easy fallback.
  • Iewduh is steep and crowded, so a small bag is easier than anything on wheels.

Last checked October 2026. Things change, so check opening times, fees and transport before you go.