Shillong Tourist Guide – Scotland of the East India

Shillong Tourist Guide: Overview

Shillong also known as ‘Scotland of The East’ which is the capital city of the Indian state of Meghalaya, one of the smallest states of the country. It is located on the Shillong Plateau surrounded by the Khasi Hills, 4,908 ft above sea level.  It was the British capital of the then undivided Assam. The city’s colonial charm is a paradise for nature and heritage lovers alike. Present day capital of Meghalaya, Shillong is the ultimate hangout point for music lovers as well who is looking for new sounds and stirring melodies.

What is unique in Shillong Tourist Guide and why?

Shillong is famous for its numerous waterfalls, the exciting mountain peaks, crystal clear lakes, breathtakingly beautiful golf courses, museums and the zoo are the key reasons why people visit Shillong.  Shillong in particular has been in limelight for its jovial people and their culture. It is also famous for its westernized culture as many prominent musicians have hailed from this place. Many music events keep happening throughout the year, making it a very lively place.

Butterfly Museum Shillong

Butterfly Museum in Shillong Also known as Entomological Museum, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Shillong. The museum has a collection of butterflies, spiders, moths and beetles species from all across the country.  Butterfly Museum is a feast for those who are visiting Shillong for the first time. It is one of the most amazing places even for a kid is to spot a colorful butterfly sit on hands and carry out a dance before setting out to amaze another onlooker. It is a must visit place by all groups in Shillong.

Culture of Shillong

Shillong is a unique blend of different cultures as its population comprises of three major tribes as well as other communities. The Garos, Khasis and Jaintias are the more important tribes in that they are present in majority. The Khasis sing songs praising nature and use different types of musical instruments like ‘duitaras’ drums and other traditional instruments. The Khasis also prepare rice-beer which is used in ceremonies and religious occasions.

Festivals in Shillong

Autumn Festival is a well-known festival in India. This festival is one of those festivals which mark the onset of a season. The festival acts as a great platform to display the culture of the place and get transformed into a center of fun and frolic for tourists. Autumn festival will be celebrated in the month of October.

Shopping in Shillong

Shillong markets are full of tribal art products that would easily qualify for a spot in your living room. Be it a table-top showpiece, lampshade or hanging decor. Authentic local handicrafts and souvenirs are available at Purbashree in Police Bazaar, which is an emporium run by the Government of Meghalaya. Hand-woven shawls, black mushrooms, fruit products and orange honey are some of the other things that you may buy from here

Guwahati Railway station to Shillong taxi fare

Guwahati railway station to Shillong is about 98 km away from each other and it takes 3.5 Hours to reach. If you want to make your  tour journey comfort then holiday Travel India provides car rentals for all kinds of city taxi needs, railway station transfers, airport transfers, sightseeing and people can opt from the best car rental deals and hire cheap taxi services in Guwahati and Shillong for travelling & sightseeing.     

Shillong Weather in December

Winter season is quite chilly in Shillong with the temperature dipping to 2 degree C. The months of November to February are recorded as the coldest in this place. Shillong remains pretty cold during December and January.

How to Reach Shillong

By Flight: Shillong Airport in Umroi, is a small airport that is available for the flights via Alliance Air and is located at a distance of 40 km from Shillong.   Another bigger and convenient airport is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport at Guwahati, which is approximately 130 km away from Shillong. There are regular flight options being offered by most of the major carriers.

By Bus: A number of Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) and Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC) buses operate from Guwahati to Shillong. There are number of regular busies.

By Train: There are as such no proper rail lines in Meghalaya. Guwahati railway station is the nearest railway station situated at a distance of 105 Km from Shillong. The Guwahati Railway Station is well connected to major cities in India via an extensive rail network. Premium trains such as Rajdhani Express takes about 34 hours to reach Guwahati from New Delhi.

Best time to visit Shillong Meghalaya

Shillong also acts as the gateway to Meghalaya, the state famous for heavy rain falls, caving, tallest waterfalls and beautiful landscapes. The best time to visit Shillong is from March to May. During these months, the pleasant summers set in and it is comfortable to travel around. The temperature ranges from 24 °C to 15 °C during this time

Guwahati to Shillong Helicopter fare

There is a Helicopter service available from Guwahati to Tura and Tura to Shillong on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from Guwahati to Shillong and Shillong to Guwahati daily except on a Sunday. The Helicopter can accommodate a maximum of only 5 Passengers per sortie.

 Shillong to Guwahati Helicopter charge is became 1500 Per Person

Note: helicopters won’t fly in bad weather.