Primee Sites :

• Shillong Peak : An ideal picnic spot, it is just 10 kms from the city. Located at an altitude of 1965 m, it offers a dazzling view of the idyllic surroundings.

• Ward's Lake : Located in the heart of the city, it is popular for short garden walks and boating. It's said that it's construction was initiated by a bored prisoner who was ready to do any kind of work to get out of his cell. He was given the work of digging holes and filling them up again. Once he hit a spring and that spot was developed into a lake and garden. This place was named after Sir William Ward, the Chief Commissioner. It is still quite an attractive place.

• Botanical Garden : A secluded but captivating spot with a variety of exotic plants.

• Golf Course : Developed in 1889 as a nine hole course, it was later converted to an 18 hole course, in 1924. It is termed as the 'Gleneagle of the East', at the United States Golf Association Library and Museum.

• State Museum : Located at the State Central Library complex, it offers a in-depth glimpse of the lifestyle and heritage of the people.

• The most beautiful church by far is the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, located atop a hill. The high arches and stained glass windows add to its majestic beauty.

• Directly below, carved out of the hill is the Grotto Church.

• The All Saints Church opposite the State Central Library is another attractive building of wood and plaster.

• The Butterfly Museum that had begun breeding butterflies as an effort at conservation, houses a solid collection of mounted butterflies from India and abroad.

• The Lady Hydari Park, which is at its best between April and October, is another popular spot, with its mini-zoo, a children's section and well designed flower beds.

• The Sohpetbneng Peak, 20 kms from Shillong, set against the backdrop of a sacred forest is another must-visit.

• 64 kms from Shillong, is the quaint Thadlaskein lake - a popular picnic spot. Legend has it that the lake was dug by the ends of the bows of the members of 290 clans of a rebel general of a Jaintia raja.

• Also 64 kms from Shillong is Jakrem, a popular health resort with hot-springs of sulphur water, said to have medicinal properties.

• One can take a peek at Bangladesh from Dawki a border town 96 km from Shillong. The fascinating annual boat race on the Umgot river, during spring, is another attraction.

• The abundant population of Carp and Mahseers make Ranikor, 140 kms from Shillong a anglers delight. This spot also provides a scenic view

Falls :

• Situated near Happy Valley, the Sweet Falls are an ideal place for picnics.

• The Bishop, Beadon and Elephant Falls also attracts hordes of people. The Elephant Falls lie 12 kms on the outskirts of the city, near the Shillong Peak.

• Cherrapunjee : Situated 56 kms from Shillong Cherrapunjee was till recently known as the wettest place on earth. Located at an attitude of 1300 m, it lies in one of the heaviest rain-belts in the world. This lovely town with its beautiful Nohsngithiang waterfalls, is also famous for its limestone caves and orange honey. The town now known as Sohra, and the village of Mawsynram on a neighbouring hill, compete with each other for the record of the wettest place on earth. A centre of Khasi culture and literature, Cherrapunjee also boasts of the oldest Presbyterian Church. The Ramakrishna Mission, which has been actively disseminating education in the region, has a large centre here. Before the limestone caves, are a series of giant pillars or megaliths that have been erected near a stream. Such megaliths are found throughout the Khasi and Jaintia Hills and are believed to commemorate great acts or to honour deceased chieftains.

The main shopping centres in the city are Police Bazar, Bara Bazar and Laitumkhrah. For handlooms and handicrafts, one can visit Meghalaya Handicrafts, Khadi Gramodyog and Purbashree.

How To Get There

• Air: Guwahati, 124 kms from Shillong, is the nearest airport.
• Rail: Guwahati is the nearest railhead.
• Road: Buses run by the Meghalaya Transport Corporation and private buses and taxis ply regularly between Guwahati  and Shillong.

Where to Stay

• Neo Hotel (Ph : 224363)
• Hotel Pine Borough (Ph : 220698)
• Pinewood Hotel (Ph. 223116, Fax : 224176)
• Hotel Polo Tower (Ph : 220991)
• Hotel Centre Point (Ph : 225210, Fax : 227222)

Places to Eat :

• La Galerie at Hotel Centre Point
• Pinewood Hotel
• Abba
• Pizza Fast Food
• Eee Cee
• Palaco Restaurant
• Trattoria Dukan Ja Doh