Things to Do in Shillong: A Local Guide to Meghalaya’s Hills

Shillong works better if you think in directions, not lists. The city is one day. Cherrapunji is south-west. Dawki is south-east. Keep those apart and the trip suddenly feels easy. Below are the things to do in Shillong we’d actually recommend, with 2026 fees and a plan you can copy.

Shillong Attractions at a Glance

Quick reference first. Fees were checked against 2025–26 sources and change often, so keep some cash on you.

Things to Do in Shillong City

One unhurried day covers it. Start by 8:30, because the hills get cloudy after lunch and most places shut by 4:30 or 5.

Shillong Peak comes first. At about 1,965 metres it’s the highest point near town, and it sits inside an Air Force area, so you’ll need photo ID at the gate. Early mornings are clear. Noon is usually just white fog.

Elephant Falls is on the same road. Three tiers, lots of steps, lots of selfie sticks. Still worth it, mainly for the bottom tier, which is loudest in October after the rains.

Then head to the Don Bosco Museum in Mawlai. Seven floors, 17 galleries, and honestly the best crash course on Northeast cultures you’ll find anywhere. Don’t skip the rooftop skywalk. One catch: it’s shut on Sundays, and a lot of weekend visitors find that out at the gate.

Evenings belong to Police Bazar. Walk past Ward’s Lake on the way (pretty, small, 30 minutes is plenty) and stay out for dinner. Shillong’s “rock capital” tag isn’t marketing; weekend nights often have live bands in the cafés.

What should you eat? Jadoh, which is red rice cooked with pork. Dohneiiong, pork in black sesame. Momos from any stall with a queue. Vegetarians manage fine, but ask before you order because Khasi food leans heavily on meat.

If you’ve got a spare morning, walk through Iewduh (Bara Bazar). It’s over 150 years old and many stalls are run by Khasi women. Go early. After rain it turns into a mud bath.

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Places to Go in Shillong Within an Hour

These are the Shillong places to visit when you’ve got a free half day. Book a cab for them; shared taxis don’t really go where you need.

Umiam Lake (Barapani) is on the Guwahati road, so stop on the way in rather than making a separate trip. Kayaking and boating run from the water sports complex

Laitlum Canyon is our favourite viewpoint around Shillong, and it’s free. The ridge just drops away into a deep green valley with tiny villages at the bottom. Go on a clear morning between October and March. After heavy rain you might see nothing but cloud.

Mawphlang Sacred Forest is quieter and more meaningful than anything in town. Local Khasi communities have protected this grove for centuries, and taking even a leaf out is forbidden. You can only enter with a local guide (about ₹300), and the guide is the reason to go.

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Is Cherrapunji Worth a Day Trip?

Yes, and it’s the one day trip we’d never skip. Sohra is about 54 km away, roughly 1 hour 40 minutes by car. Leave by 7.

Stop at the Mawkdok Dympep viewpoint for tea. In Sohra, see Nohkalikai Falls (a single drop of around 340 metres into a turquoise pool) and Mawsmai Cave.

The double-decker living root bridge is a different story. It sits in Nongriat, and the trek from Tyrna village is roughly 3,000–3,500 steps down. Every one of those steps is waiting for you on the way back. Plan 5 to 7 hours. Our honest advice is to either sleep a night in Sohra or Nongriat, or pick the short root bridge near Mawlynnong instead, which is a 10-minute walk.

Dawki: One of the Shillong Must Visit Places, If You Time It Right

You’ve seen the photos of boats that look like they’re floating on air. That’s the Umngot River at Dawki, about 95 km (2.5 hours) from Shillong on the Bangladesh border.

The catch: the water is only that clear from roughly November to April. In the monsoon it turns murky green, and people come back disappointed. Boats cost about ₹500–800 for 30–45 minutes. Go in the morning, before the wind ripples the surface.

Mawlynnong, often called Asia’s cleanest village, is 25 km from Dawki. Do them together and add the Riwai root bridge.

A 3-Day Shillong Trip That Doesn’t Backtrack

Add a fourth day for Nongriat. You won’t regret it (your calves might).

When Should You Plan Sightseeing in Shillong?

October to April. That’s the short answer.

Reading this in late September? Good timing. Book for mid-October onwards.

Getting There

Fly into Guwahati. From the airport it’s around 120 km, about 3 to 3.5 hours by road. A private taxi costs ₹2,500–3,500 one way, and shared cabs from Paltan Bazar are much cheaper. Shillong’s Umroi airport is 30 km from town, but flights are limited, so check schedules first.

Quick Mistakes to Avoid

• Clubbing Cherrapunji and Dawki into one day
• Turning up at Don Bosco Museum on a Sunday
• Forgetting ID for Shillong Peak
• Expecting glass-clear Dawki water in August
• Trekking to Nongriat in sandals
• Carrying no cash (UPI drops out in the villages)

FAQs

How many days are enough for Shillong?

Three days covers the city, Cherrapunji, and Dawki with Mawlynnong. Add a fourth if you want to trek to the double-decker root bridge in Nongriat.

What are the must-visit places in Shillong?

Shillong Peak, Elephant Falls, Don Bosco Museum, Police Bazar and Umiam Lake near the city, plus Laitlum Canyon, Cherrapunji’s Nohkalikai Falls and Dawki’s Umngot River on day trips.

Is October a good time to visit Shillong?

Yes. The monsoon has eased, waterfalls are still strong and viewpoints like Shillong Peak and Laitlum Canyon are more likely to be clear.

Can I do Cherrapunji and Dawki in one day?

Not comfortably. Cherrapunji is 54 km south-west of Shillong and Dawki is 95 km south-east, so trying both means most of the day in a car. Keep them as separate day trips.

Before You Go

Pick one direction a day, leave early, and let the rain rearrange things if it wants to. Of all the things to do in Shillong, the best one is often unplanned, like a long lunch while the fog lifts off the valley. Heading somewhere warmer after the hills? The Nivaas has private villas in Goa, Jaipur, Udaipur, Pushkar and Manali, and our September getaways guide has more ideas.