Shillong - the name brings back memories of the place I call home. I was born and brought up in this beautiful and quite hill station and lived there for 24 years of my life.
Although Shillong is a perfect tourist destination, it has not been able to pick up on tourism because of the disturbed state of North-east India. But the situation is not as bad as it seems so I’d like to encourage people to pack their bags and visit Shillong for a great vacation.
With her wooded slopes, winding roads, enhancing waterfalls and quaint houses, Shillong is a charming hill station. Perched at an altitude of 1, 496 m, this hill station is also called the ’’Scotland of the east’’. The nearest railway station is Guwahati, from where a 3 hour drive through winding roads will take you to your destination.
As the car winds up from Guwahati, the flat, dusty and grimy plains gives way to rolling hills that rise slowly and sinuously. The road snakes up through lush green forests, seeping into the senses like heady wine. You can stop at the small road side shops to buy fresh fruits and vegetables.
Once in Shillong, you’ll find many hotels to suit your budget. Most of them are situated at the heart of the city, so you can enjoy the sights and sounds of this beautiful place by just stepping out of your hotel room.
Inside the city, you can travel in local taxis whose rates are really nominal. There is also the concept of ’’shared’’ taxi, where you can go from place to place for as less as Rs. 5 (The taxi will also carry other people going to the same destination). If you are from a large city, you’ll find the local buses of Shillong really quaint.
When in Shillong, the places to visit are Beadon and Bishop Falls, Elephant Falls, Botanical Gardens, Lady Hydari Park, Nehru Park, Spread Eagle Falls, State Museum Wards Lake, Golf Link, Shillong Peak and Laitumkrah Cathedral.
Other neary by places to visit are Cherrapunjee, Ranikhor and Jakrem. For some water sports, you could go to Umiam Lake resort which serves up motorboats, water scooters, skiing and sailing facilities backed by the comforts of the Orchid Lake resort. Angling is another activity that one can delve into here, but Ranikhor is truly the angler’s dream come true.
For a shopping experience in the local market, a visit to Iewduh is a must. Iewduh is the local market where you’ll find the local ladies selling their wares. Although a little dirty, you will be able to find some unbelievable cane and wood products here. Police Bazar is the other place to visit for some great bargains. Police bazar is the haunt of most youngsters of Shillong who come here to shop, eat, watch movies and generally hang around with friends.
While in Shillong, do not miss the piping hot and mouth-watering momos available in most restaurants. In Shillong, you can find a wide variety of food items. So even if you are from South India, you’ll be able to find restaurants serving hot idlis and crisp dosas. Visit ’’Delhi Mistan Bhandar’’ for some delicious sweets and hot jalebis. You could enter the small local restaurants for a taste of the local cuisine.
Visit Shillong once and I’m sure you’ll fall in love with its lush green undulating hills, old world cathedrals and churches, cute houses and friendly people.