Top Destinations around Shillong to Plan the Perfect Trip

Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya sits amidst pine-clad hills, at a height of 4990 feet above sea level. The picturesque city is also known as the Scotland of the East thanks to the mesmerising blend of rich traditions and pleasant weather that it offers against a backdrop of the most captivating landscapes. Shillong is home to many diverse tribal communities, like the Langrim, Bhowal, Mallaisohmat, Maharam, Mylliem, and Khyrim. Each tribal community has contributed to the rich culture of Shillong, as it can be seen today. Shillong is, of course, an amazing destination for those who wish to experience serenity and witness awe-inspiring vistas, but it also has a number of cultural gems for you to explore, like the Don Bosco Museum, which showcases Northeast India’s indigenous cultures, and the Meghalaya State Museum, which displays numerous exhibits and artefacts that delve into the heritage of the state. There are also several amazing tourist places near Shillong that you can explore on your trip. Just make sure to look for Meghalaya tour packages that allow you to explore not only Shillong but also the best places around it.

Top Places to Visit near Shillong, Meghalaya

There are several places to see near Shillong that you can consider visiting during your trip. The regions that surround Shillong offer new opportunities for visitors to immerse themselves in the natural vistas and the colourful culture of the Northeast. The best places to see near Shillong that you can add to your itinerary include:

1. Shillong Peak
2. Laitlum
3. Nongkhnum
4. Sacred Grove
5. Nongriat
6. Shnongpdeng
7. Cherrapunjee
8. Elephant Falls
9. Sweet Falls
10. Nohsngithiang Falls

Shillong Peak

Located at a height of 6449 feet above sea level, the Shillong Peak offers amazing panoramic views of the city, the waterfalls, the Himalayas, and even the plains of Bangladesh. This is one of the best tourist places near Shillong, located some kilometres away from the city. It is said that the city is actually named after Shillong Peak, which local lore believes to be the home of 'Leishyllong', the patron deity that protects the entire city from evil. Among the top tourist places near Shillong, a beautiful trek will take you to the top of the peak, to the UShulong site, which is a sacred spot among locals.

Laitlum Canyons

Another one among the best places to visit near Shillong is the Laitlum Canyons, located on the East Khasi Hills. This is one of the less explored tourist places near Shillong and one of the most picturesque trekking destinations in the region. Located 21 kilometres south of Shillong, the Laitlum Canyon offers panoramic views of Meghalaya, as it sits surrounded by majestic peaks and valleys. You should at least try to catch a sunset here when Laitlum Canyons are at their best. Other places to visit around Shillong that are nearby include Rasong, a dreamy hamlet located deep among Laitlum Gorge’s ridges.

Nongkhnum River Island

Another beautiful place to visit near Shillong is Nongkhnum Island, which is the largest river island in Meghalaya and the second largest in Asia, after Assam’s Majuli. The island has a serene white sand beach and offers several enjoyable activities, like fishing, camping, and boating. There are several other tourist places near Shillong that are located nearby, where you can check out some of the most amazing waterfalls that you can add to the itinerary of your Shillong tour packages. These include the well-known Weinia and Thum Falls, as well as the lesser-known Lyngshiang and Weispi Falls.

Mawphlang Sacred Grove

The Mawphlang village is another one of the great places to visit near Shillong and is home to the Mawphlang Sacred Grove, which is the most celebrated lawkyntang’, or ancient sacred grove. In Meghalaya, several places to visit near Shillong have sacred groves, which refer to virgin forests that are untouched by the locals and protected by them due to religious and cultural beliefs. The sacred grove in Mawphlang has retained its significance for centuries now. Travellers are allowed to visit but not allowed to take even a single pebble or twig from this hallowed grove.

Nongriat

Nongriat is one of the more well-known places to visit near Shillong, Meghalaya. This small village in the northeastern part of India is famous for being home to the iconic living root bridges. These are an amalgamation of natural and man-made efforts to build marvels that will leave you mesmerised. There is a long walk across 3500 stone-hewn steps that will take you to the three living root bridges, two of which are double decker. Another reason why Nongriat is one of the best places near Shillong for you to visit is because the village also has numerous waterfalls, natural pools, lagoons, and other natural vistas for you to explore.

Shnongpdeng

Shnongpdeng is one of the best places near Shillong for adventure enthusiasts. Serving as a part of the border separating India and Bangladesh, the main attraction of this idyllic village is the Umngot River, which is the main source of all the water activities that the place boasts of. The activities you can enjoy here include, snorkelling, scuba diving, ziplining, kayaking, cliff jumping, riverside camping, rock climbing, and rappelling. When you visit Shnongpdeng from Shillong, other nearby places that you can explore are the living root bridges of Riwai, trek through the forests to visit Tiew Khang Falls, or hike or mountain bike to the Nongriat Falls.

Cherrapunjee

Cherrapunjee is the best way to access the living root bridges of Nongriat. Once you have enjoyed the many amazing activities and things to do in Shillong, your next stop should be Cherrapunjee. Access to Nongriat village isn’t the only reason why Cherrapunjee is counted among the best places near Shillong that are worth a visit. The town itself is quite the sight to behold, but there are also several scenic falls, cave formations of the Krem Phyllut and the Mawsmai Caves, Asia’s cleanest village – Mawylyngnong, misty valleys, and several trekking opportunities that await you in Cherrapunjee.

Elephant Falls

These falls were named after a peculiar elephant-shaped stone that used to sit at the bottom of the falls. However, over time, the stone disintegrated and in 1897, it was washed away in an earthquake. Among the easily accessible nearby places from Shillong, Elephant Falls are very popular as all three layers of the falls are accessible to visitors, offering different vantage points. The falls have three levels of waterfalls in succession. The first is very broad, tucked between dense trees, the second fall is reduced to strands of water, while the third and most visible fall is also the tallest. The third fall has clear water that flows like a sheet against dark rocks. This can be a great stopover on your way to other places to visit around Shillong.

Sweet Falls

One of the most interesting places to visit around Shillong, the Sweet Falls are unlike most tiered falls of Meghalaya as they fall in a rush of water from a great height. Known as one of the most mesmerising but dangerous waterfalls in the country, the locals believe the Sweet Falls to be haunted. The route to the waterfall is not well-maintained and is surrounded by slippery stones. Despite this, this is one of the most popular nearby places from Shillong, known as an amazing picnic spot, surrounded by the sounds of birds and lush greenery. You can also visit the mini zoo and butterfly museum located nearby.

Nohsngithiang Falls

Another great pick for the best places to visit near Shillong, the Nohsngithiang Falls, also known as the Seven Sisters Falls are among the tallest waterfalls in India, falling from a height of 1033 feet. Such places to visit around Shillong offer the perfect escape into nature. Nohsngithiang Falls is a seven-segmented waterfall, symbolic of the seven sister states of Northeast India. You cannot enter the waterfall, but you can enjoy the spectacular view of Mawsmai. The best time to visit the Nohsngithiang Falls is during the sunset when sunrays fall of the waterfall, creating a perennial rainbow that completely transforms the area.

So, whenever you are booking Northeast tour packages to Shillong, make sure you pick a package that includes the best places to visit near Shillong as well.