Shillong

SHILLONG - "Scotland of the East"

The capital city of the State as well as the District headquarter of East Khasi Hills District. Shillong is the only hill station in the country that is accessible from all sides. The name Shillong is derived from U-Shyllong, a powerful deity and is situated at an altitude of 1,491m above sea level. This beautiful city is 103kms. from Guwahati, the nearest air and train link. The presence of many well reputed educational institutions, many of them established by various missionary groups make Shillong the hub of education for the entire north-east.

Lady Hydari Park

Location: East Khasi Hills District, Shillong

A popular spot both with locals and tourist, it is located in the heart of the city with an abundance of plants and flowers. The best months to see the flowers bloom are in April and October.

Ward's Lake

Location: East Khasi Hills District, Shillong

A beautiful manmade lake named after Sir William Ward, the then, Chief Commissioner of Assam. A beautiful little lake with short garden walks and boating facilities – this is a popular spot for both local and visiting tourists.

Cathedral Catholic Church

Location: East Khasi Hills District, Shillong, Laitumkhrah

The church is In the heart of the city, there stands a beautiful cathedral of Roman Catholics dedicated to Mary Help of Christian.

Capt. Williamson Sangma State Museum

Location: East Khasi Hills District, Shillongmuseum shillong

For those interested in ethnic tribal culture and tradition this Govt. Museum under the control of Art and Culture Department offers insights to the lifestyle of the people. This museum is in the State Central Library complex where monuments for the great patriots of the state had been erected besides the statue of Smt. Indira Gandhi and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures

Location: East Khasi Hills District, Shillong, Mawlai

A three-in-one Institution combining a museum with a research and publication centre, for promoting and preserving the rich cultural heritage of North East India -a unique fusion of all the sister states under one roof.

With seven stories, 56,000 square feet of floor space and 15,154 square feet of display wall space, it ranks among the top 36 or so cultural centres of its kind in the Salesian world. Museums/ Cultural Centres in practice appear to be a significant aspect of the Salesian mission

Even in terms of design the DBCIC is startling: built in hexagonal shape, its seven floors represent the seven states of North East India. The building rises to form a flame, expressing the reality that if cultures are understood well, they can form a communion of cultures for a better society.

DBCIC contains seventeen galleries displaying cultural artefacts and paintings. It offers study and research facilities throughout its specialised library of 10,000 volumes, a media hall and a conference hall. It is frequented by school students and older research students and anthropologists, since this area of India is an anthropologist’s paradise.

Don Bosco Museum

Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures (DBCIC)

Museum Timings:

Monday – Saturday

Summer: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm

Winter (1 Dec to 31 Jan): 9:00 am to 4:30 pm

Sunday: Closed

Museum Holidays:

The Museum remains open throughout the year EXCEPT Sundays, 1 January, 26 January, 31 January, 15 August, 2 November, second last Monday in November, 22 to 25 December (both days inclusive), 31 December and Thursday before Easter to Easter Monday (both days inclusive).

Golf Course

Location: East Khasi Hills District, Shillong

The Shillong Golf Course one of the oldest and best natural golf course in the world is considered to be the “Gleneagle of the East” by the United States Golf Association and Museum. The site where the Golf Course is located provides a scenic view. It was set in an undulating valley covered with thick groves of pine and rhododendron trees at an altitude of 5200 ft in 1898 as a 9 (nine) hole course and later converted into a 18 (eighteen) hole course in 1924 by Captain Jackson and C. K. Rhodes.

Spread Eagle Falls

Location: East Khasi Hills District, Shillong

The Spread Eagle Falls is located within the Shillong Cantonment, on the outskirts of the city, lies a sparkling waterfall which looks like an eagle with wings spread. Hence the name Spread Eagle Falls. The falls is locally known as Umkaliar or the falls into which Ka Liar slipped. A soothing setting amidst the calmness of nature – a treat to the eyes.

Sweet Falls

Location: East Khasi Hills District, Shillong

The Sweet Falls is situated near Happy Valley at a distance of about eight kilometers from Shillong. It resembles a straight pencil of water emerging from a large size water pipe, as it drops vertically over a distance exceeding two hundred feet. Most suitable for a day’s outing and picnic, Explore it!

Ever Living Museum

Location: East Khasi Hills District, Shillong, Mawshbuit

The Ever Living  is located at Mawshabuit, around 9km from Shillong, is a living testimony of one’s love for nature, culture, tradition, history and posterity.

Elephant Falls

Location: East Khasi Hills District, Upper Shillong

Elephant Fallsis located at a distance of 12 kms on the outskirts of the city the mountain stream descends through two successive falls set in dells of fern-covered rocks. At a short distance beyond the falls, there are two smaller falls which are none  the less beautiful and captivating. These are the Wei Iaplam Falls and the Wir Phang Falls. A  well paved footpath and a small wooden bridge facilitate access to these falls.

Shillong Peak

Location: East Khasi Hills District, Upper Shillong

An ideal picnic spot, 1965 metres above sea level and 10 kms from the city, offers a panoramic view of these country side, and is also the highest point in the State. Obeisance is paid to U Shulong at the sanctum at the peak’s summit every springtime, by the religious priest of Mylliem State. In the evening the city lights below appear like a star-studded abyss.

East Khasi Hills is one of the 11 (eleven) districts of the State of Meghalaya. The district occupies an area of 2,748 Sq. Kms. and it lies between 25°07” & 25°41” N Lat. and 91°21” & 92°09” E Long. bounded by Ri-Bhoi District on the north, Karbi Anglong District on the north east, Jaintia Hills district on the east, Bangladesh on the south and West Khasi Hills district on the west.

Shillong is the District Headquarter of East Khasi Hills District as well as the state Capital. It is a hill stations with unique natural scenic beauty which is an ideal resort throughout the year. The district is well connected with motorable roads throughout the length and breadth .