Meghalaya is a beautiful place for nature lovers. It is in northeastern India and has rolling hills, waterfalls, and green valleys. The state is often called the “Abode of Clouds,” it has a unique ecosystem, beautiful natural sights, and a rich cultural tapestry that is just ready to be discovered.
Whatever their interests—learning about other cultures, having fun, or relaxing—Meghalaya has something to offer everyone. Here is a carefully curated list of 7 popular tourist places in Meghalaya to help you plan your perfect trip.
Read this article to learn about the 7 top places to visit in Meghalaya.
Best Places To Visit In Meghalaya
There are many fun things to do in Meghalaya that will surprise you. Here is the list of 7 famous tourist places to visit in Meghalaya:
1. Balpakram National Park
People who like to travel say that Balpakram National Park is a must-see if you are in Meghalaya. Many people who visit Balpakram National Park to witness its diverse vegetation and animals refer to it as the Land of Spirits.
It is among the well-liked tourist spots in Meghalaya. Photographers and wildlife enthusiasts will adore it since it offers sightings of creatures, including the Marbled Cat, the Red Panda, the Wild Buffalo, the Elephant, the Tiger, the Deer, the Leopards, and the Wild Cow. The Lesser Panda, the Indian Bison, and the Sterow are all rare animals.
People often say that this place is like the Grand Canyon in the United States. It is one of the best places to visit in Meghalaya. It is one of Meghalaya’s best national parks, and there are many cheap places to stay here.
- Specialty: Abundant biodiversity.
- Location: Garo Hills, Western Meghalaya.
- The best time to visit is October to March.
- Entry Fee: NA.
2. Shillong
Shillong, also known as the “Scotland of the East,” is one of the most famous places to visit in Meghalaya, which is in the northeast. It’s away from the busy life and has beautiful hills covered in trees, a pleasant climate, and views that draw people worldwide. This makes it one of the top attractions in Meghalaya.
Shillong Peak, Elephant Falls, Lady Hydari Park, Wards Lake, and the Don Bosco Museum are some of the most popular places for tourists to visit in Shillong. Khyrim, Mylliem, Maharam, Mallaisohmat, Bhowal, and Langrim are some of the tribes that live in Shillong.
As the main airport for Meghalaya is in Shillong, the city is also known as the entrance to the state. Shillong has many things to do in Meghalaya that will make your vacation enjoyable.
- Specialties: Natural beauty, famous landmarks, and breathtaking views.
- Attractions: Shillong Peak, Don Bosco Museum, Ward’s Lake, Elephant Falls, Sweet Falls, Air Force Museum, and All Saints Cathedral.
- Places to stay: Tripura Castle, Pinewood Hotel, Hotel Polo Towers Shillong, and The Loft – Executive Inn.
- Location: East Central Meghalaya.
- The best time to visit: You can visit between September to May.
3. Double-decker Living Root Bridge
Living root bridges made from the roots of an Indian rubber tree are what make this two-level bridge in Cherrapunji, Meghalaya, so famous. The bridge is 3 km long and 2400 feet high. It’s most beautiful when you walk over the bridge, and the Umshiang River runs below you. The oldest natural bridge was built about 200 years ago, but it can only hold 50 people at a time. On your honeymoon in Meghalaya, you have to go here.
The bridge’s journey starts in Tyrna and goes across the Umshiang River. It takes a bit of a hike to get to the exact spot. The descent to the bridge is a massive 3500–3600 steps each way to the scaffold and back from Tyrna, the base town, which is 20 km from Cherrapunjee, the main town. You should go there if you’re with a partner in Meghalaya.
- Speciality: The oldest natural bridge.
- Location: Cherrapunji, Meghalaya.
- The Best Time to visit is between May and September, which is fairly slippery.
- Trek duration: 4-6 hours.
4. Don Bosco Museum
Many tourists want to know about the state’s cultural history. This is the Don Bosco Museum in Shillong. It is a 7-story historical centre with 17 rooms that show how people in Northeast India live.
Also, these galleries show a variety of expressions, antiques, clothing styles, weapons, and fine art that show how different tribes and people in Meghalaya live and their cultures. You should also add the Don Bosco Museum to your list of things to do in Meghalaya because it is known as one of the best in Asia.
- Specialty: An accurate picture of the state’s cultural history.
- Location: East Khasi Hills, Shillong, Meghalaya
- The Entry fee is Rs 100 for Indians and Rs 200 for foreigners.
5. Baghmara
Elephants, birds and langurs call the Baghmara Reserve Forest, which is barely 4 kilometres from the town of Baghmara, home. Everybody who likes animals ought to visit this site. Fans of labyrinths can visit the Siju caverns, which have endless mazes and rooms and are the third-longest cave system in the Indian subcontinent.
The unique arrangement of limestone rocks inside the caves, known as “Princess Di’s Chamber,” is exceptional. If that wasn’t enough, the Siju Bird Sanctuary has the rarest kinds of birds moving here for the winter, so bird lovers will always have something to look forward to.
- Specialty: Exotic wildlife habitat.
- Location: South Garo Hills.
- The Best Time to Visit is October to January.
6. Kyllang Rock
The West Khasi Hills in Meghalaya are home to Kyllang Rock, a huge red rock that is about 78 km away from Shillong. The Rock is 5400 feet above sea level and about 1000 feet wide. It is a massive square of basalt stone that looks beautiful and is believed to be from Khasi stories. It is Meghalaya’s most famous tourist place and has the most amazing views.
While climbing to the top of Kyllang Rock, you can enjoy the stunning view of the surrounding area. Within the ancient Red Rhododendrons that surround Kyllang Rock, there is said to be a lovely area. Trees and bushes are blocking trees and bushes block the huge dome’s southern side, but it’s full of them on the northern side.
- Specialty: One of Meghalaya’s highest points.
- Location: West Khasi Hills, Shillong, Meghalaya
- The Best time to visit: Anytime, but avoid the monsoon season.
7. Nohkalikai Waterfalls
Nohkalikai Falls, the fourth most famous waterfall in the world, drops between 335 and 400 meters from a green cliff to the ground, creating a vast and fantastic view of heaven. The falls are one of the most beautiful and unique in the country. They are the pride of the state of Meghalaya.
Cared for in the Khasi Hills’ evergreen jungle, the falls flow in all their beauty and may into a tidal pond as blue as the night sky. This fall is one of Meghalaya’s most popular tourist attractions.
- Specialty: A paradise-like destination with breathtaking natural scenery.
- Entry Fee: Rs.10.
- Timing: 8 AM to 5 PM
Check also: Top Hill Stations in India
The Bottom Line
To sum up, Meghalaya is a beautiful state with a unique mix of natural beauty and cultural wealth. The state is easy to get around and has many exciting things to see, such as living root bridges and stunning waterfalls in their native state. The trip to Meghalaya could be an experience you will never forget if you are ready to work and keep an open mind.
Meghalaya is renowned for its captivating splendour. This place has a lot to offer tourists from all over the world. Popular destinations in Meghalaya include Nohkalikai Falls, Umiam Lake, Cherrapunji, Root Bridges, Laitlum Canyon, Dawki, Mawsynram, Shillong, etc.
Meghalayan villages are renowned for their exquisite beauty. The top villages in or surrounding Meghalaya to visit are Mawlynnong Village, Laitlum Canyon, Double Decker Living Root Bridge in Nongriat Village, Jowai Village, Tura, and Mawlai.
Shillong Airport is Meghalaya’s sole and primary airport. The airport accepts planes all year round and has excellent connections to India’s major cities.
Guwahati is 85 kilometers away from Meghalaya. You can get here by bus, taxi, or cab; the road mileage is 99.7 kilometres. The highway that connects Guwahati and Meghalaya is renowned for its picturesque views.
Famous Meghalayan foods are Jadoh, Dohkhlieh, Nakham Bitchi, Pumaloi, Bamboo Shoots, and Momo. Rice cooked with fiery fish and meat dishes. They raise cows, pigs, chickens, ducks, and goats.
October through April are the ideal months to visit Meghalaya. The region’s visual grandeur, including its verdant hills, cascades, and attractive vistas, is best explored during this time of year because of the generally dry and mild weather. It’s best to avoid the monsoon season, which runs from June to September, as excessive rain can cause landslides and other traffic issues.
