Shillong Hills, Shillong

Shillong It is a picturesque hill station offering a good holiday all year round. One of the most motor-able hill stations a stay at Shillong does not require as much mandatory walking as in other places. Adequate facilities, scenic beauty, cheerful people, clouds and tall pines, mountains, valleys, meadows and an excellent golf course make Shillong a great destination. The people Khasi, Jaintia and Garo hill tribes have a colorful lifestyle and cultural traditions. Shillong can be a base for visiting other places in Meghalaya. Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya at an altitude of 1, 496 mts above sea level and was carved out of Assam. the city stretches for about 6 km on an elevated tract. It is situated on a plateau bound on the north by the Umiam gorge, on the northwest by the great mass of the Diengiei Hills that rise up to a height of 1,823 meters (6077 ft.) above sea level, and on the northeast by the hills of the Assam valley. The Umshyrpi and the Umkhra rivers, which finally merge and form the Umiam River, water it. Shillong is at distance of 104 km from Guwahati, 295 km from Kaziranga, 578 km from Siliguri and 658 km from Darjeeling. The climate is hot and humid during summers. The monsoons arrive in June and it rains almost until the end of August. Shillong is quite cold during winters. Around Shillong Ward Lake : And if nature's bounty was not enough, Shillong boasts of a man made lake- Ward's Lake - right in the heart of the city. The lake, built by Chief Commissioner William Ward in 1893-94, is a picture book lake complete with a white wooden Japanese like bridge and fishes that throng to feed on Channa (Chickpeas). Shillong Peak :For a panoramic view of the city, the best bet is Shilling peak at 1,965 m, the highest point in the state and 10-km from the city. On a clear day, the whole of Shillong spreads below it before disappearing into the distant blue green hills. And on a clear night, it is a bejewelled, twinkling carpet out of an Arabian lore. State Museum : Meghalaya's State Museum, in Lachumiere, has exhibits depicting tribal customs and a weaker collection of ancient scriptures from elsewhere in India. Botanical Gardens : Visit the "Sacred groves" or virgin forests. The nearest one is the Mawphlang sacred as it is by traditional religious sanctions. The forest is so sacred that even a dead leaf cannot be removed from the area. With the sanction of religion, it is certainly a brilliant way of preserving the ecological system. Lady Hydari Park: There is the perfectly landscaped Lady Hydari Park ablaze with roses and flowers of almost every variety even as weeping willows bend into water bodies that house pelicans and the like. There is also a mini zoo and Butterfly museum with colourful species preserved for sale and posterity. Iewduh - Shopper's Stop: Take a walk down to Lewduh, the main bazaar run mostly by women under the administrative supervision of the Mylliem State. While here, feast on the local sight, smell and taste. And splurge on the unbelievable cane and wood products. Anglican Cemetery: Lovers of old churchyards will enjoy the Anglican cemetery in Rilbong, with gravestones dating back to the last century, including those soldiers killed in the Lushai campaign in Mizoram. Beadon Falls, Bishop Falls & Elephant Falls: Beadon Falls and Bishop Falls, off the Guwahati road at Mawprem, 3-km north, and Elephant Falls, set amid fern-covered rocks 12-km south, are popular waterfalls and picnic sites, and accessible by taxi. Spread Eagle Falls: Located on the outskirts of the city, lies a sparkling waterfall, which looks like an eagle with, wings spread out. Hence, the name spread eagle falls. The falls has fairly steep cliffs on three sides with a very deep pool beneath - a soothing setting amidst calm nature. The falls is locally known as "Urkaliar" or the falls into which Ka Liar slipped. Sohpetbneng Peak: Situated at a height of 1,343m, 20-km from Shillong, regarded as sacred by the Hynniewtrep people, is set amidst a beautiful scenic view against the backdrop of sacred forest. This 'Navel-of-heaven' as per Khasi mythology, is a heavenly peak, which offers to fill the spiritual void and emptiness, to those who seek and desire solace and peace of mind. Kyllang Rock: On the road from Mairang to Nongkhlaw lies a massive single granite stone at great height known as Kyllang Rock. It presents an appearance of a circular dome with a diameter of about 1,000 ft. Rengthiam Falls: At a distance of 15-km from Shillong on the Shillong - Jowai highway is the awe-inspiring Rengthiam Falls. Located in the mawlyngad village, 2 kms. Away at pepbah, this spectacular waterfall untouched in its natural beauty and surroundings will give any visitor the excitement of visiting the unknown in this unique corner waiting to be discovered. Lum Nehru Park: Adjacent to the orchid lake resort in one of the surrounding spurs, there is a charming park. Besides beautiful lawns and flowers. There is also an orchid-house and an aviary. Plans are afoot to construct an aquarium and set-up musical fountains nearby.