Shillong, located at an altitude of about 1500 meters, is one of the most favoured hill stations amongst tourists. The capital of Meghalaya, fondly nicknamed ‘The Abode of the Clouds’, is the only hill station which can be reached from any side. The mixture of modernist and colonial era ambience with beautiful panoramic views, make it famous amongst visitors from all over the country. Below are some of the best places to look around in Shillong, and the best timings to carry out various activities.
Meghalaya
Top 5 Places to Visit in Williamnagar
Williamnagar is the headquarter of the East Garo Hills District in Meghalaya. The well-planned township was named after the first Chief Minister of the state, Williamson A. Sangma. The district is mainly populated by the Garo tribe and so, the local culture is shaped up by the Garo tradition. Being a planned city, Williamnagar has the facilities of a modern town unlike the other towns of Meghalaya.
Top 5 Places to Visit in Tura
In the western part of Meghalaya, India, the Garo hills reign the region with the richness and mystery of dense forest and wildlife. The headquarter of Western Garo is Tura, a place shrouded with the fragrance of mountain and greenery. Tura town is guarded by the Tura peak. It is the second largest town of Meghalaya after Shillong. Below we mention five must-visit places in Tura, Meghalaya.
Top 5 Places to Visit in Nongpoh
Located on National Highway 40, Nongpoh lies at a distance of 52 km from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. It is also the administrative headquarters of the district of Ri – Bhoi. Nongpoh is a beautiful place surrounded by natural beauty all around with serene hills and rivers. Some of the main attractions at Nongpoh are:
Top 5 Places to Visit in Baghmara
Baghmara is the district headquarters of South Garo hills in Meghalaya. It lies on the Bangladeshi border and is surrounded by hills, tracts and a river on its expanse. The word ‘baghmara’ refers to ‘bagh (tiger)’ and ‘mara (killed)’. It is said that Bong Lasker, a local killed a Bengal tiger in this place and hence the name. There is also a tomb in the town in his memory. Earlier, Baghmara was known as Barokar which referred to the 12 streams in the region.
With its spending natural beauty and apt location, Baghmara is popular with tourists. The top 5 places in Baghmara have to be those that not only give you a chance to enjoy nature, but also help you know the essence of the place. Those places are:
Top 5 Places to Visit in Jowai
Jowai is one of the most important commercial centres in the state of Meghalaya and it is also becoming an educational hub, with students coming even from Bangladesh and neighboring states to the district for studies. Jowai is blessed with scenic beauty as it is situated on a plateau, and is bound by the Myntdu river on three sides. It also has a pleasant climate owing to its location at a 1380 metres above sea level. Thus, the summers too are pleasant as it does not get too hot and winters are chilly. Which is why Jowai is fast gaining popularity as a tourist destination.
There are many places of interest in Jowai but of all those, there are five places which should be in your must-visit list owing to the variety of experiences these places offer to tourists.
Top 5 National Parks in Meghalaya
Meghalaya literally means the ‘abode of the clouds’ for the State’s famous peculiarity of clouds descending down to the city quite frequently. It isn’t out of the ordinary in Meghalaya if all of a sudden the road you are driving on is covered with clouds! Other than the beautiful waterfalls, scenic mountains and breath-taking clouds, Meghalaya is also home to a variety of rare flora and fauna. The top five National Parks or wildlife sanctuaries of Meghalaya are the following-
A Complete Tour Guide to Jowai Hill Station
Located in Jaintia Hills in the state of Meghalaya, Jowai is a marvel to behold. Jowai is a hill station which is famous for its exuberant landscape and lush greenery. It is mostly inhabited by the local Pnar tribes, who have resided here for centuries. The hill station is situated at an altitude of 1380 meters and is headquarters to West Jaintia Hills. Jowai hill station is rich in a wide range of flora and fauna while the vast grasslands prove to be a vital source of food for livestock to feed on. The Pnar tribe lives mostly on farming and animal husbandry for their food source. Besides agriculture, they are known artisans and potters. The Pnar are a celebratory people. Their traditional attire and folk dances radiate peculiar charm and a deep resonance with culture. Jowai is also the trade center and business hub of the entire Jaintia district. There are a multitude of offices, healthcare centers, colleges and schools established in Jowai for the upliftment of the entire Jaintia district.
Top 3 Hill Stations In Meghalaya
Meghalaya is one of the prettiest states of India. The name literally translates to ‘The Abode of Clouds’ and Meghalaya certainly lives up to its name. Also known for housing the wettest place on the planet, Meghalaya because of its annual rainfall also has beautiful waterfalls. A dominantly mountainous region, the state also has some highland plateaus and valleys. Meghalaya is a part of the Seven Sisters of India and separates Assam and Bangladesh with its splendid mountains. Initially the state was a part of Assam until 1972 when it got separated. About two-third of the state is forested hence making it a lush green velvety carpeted land. Also because of its high rainfall, Meghalaya is richly blessed with flora and fauna. Most of its forest covers are dense sub-tropical and therefore are famous for its teak tress and sal trees. Also some beautiful lakes and some profound caves date back to ancient times and hence show mark of human civilization from the early times. The splendid state is also famous for its orchids and has more than 300 variants of the flower. With a moderate to low temperature due to the hills, the state has eloquent hill stations that can mesmerize anyone with its scenic charm. Here are the top 3 hill-stations of Meghalaya that will take you amongst the clouds.
Nokrek National Park, Meghalaya
“Isolated from the world it resides, protecting the bio-diversity along the hill side”
Spread across an area of 47.5 sq km, Nokrek National Park lying in the West Garo Hills district is truly one of its kind. It is an exotic, unperturbed piece of land with such unique features and mesmerising scenic beauty. Among the lush green bushes and the tall trees is the home of the extremely rare Red Panda. The presence of Red Panda here, has got the world wondering. The endangered Asiatic elephant can also be found here. Nokrek lies about 2 km from the Tura peak at an altitude of 4650 ft above sea level and has hilly terrain. It is situated near Balpakram National Park. Read on to explore the many hidden secrets of these amazing forests.