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About Meghalaya...
This beautiful land of abundant natural beauty has immense tourist attraction. Escaping in the wilderness, enjoying the looming mountains, the fresh air, the cobalt blue firmament, the whispering pines, losing yourself in the never-ending mountain terrains, the bubbling brooks that break into cascading waterfalls, you are heading towards the perfect holiday destination, its Meghalaya, of course!! Places to visit Meghalaya are not just restricted to its awesome nature but its ethnic tribes, their habitat, handicrafts, the enchanting Meghalayan caves and its cities are of immense tourist attraction. A glimpse of Meghalaya will set you packing your rucksacks for your next trip to the mountainous terrains of Meghalaya. Meghalaya has immense tourist potential. Not just its spectacular Elephant Waterfall infested with the blooming Rhododendron and the chirping colorful birds, its enchanting waterfalls- Nohkalikai at Cherrapunjee, Dain-Thlen, Sweet Spread Eagle, Bidon, Bishop, Krangsuri, Rongbang, Imilchang located at Mawsmai but its tribals and their festivals that is celebrated among lot of fan fare and cultural events.
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Places To Visit...
Shillong
Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, is a hill town, situated in the north eastern part of India. Shillong is the capital and the largest town of Meghalaya. Shillong in Meghalaya is situated at an altitude of 1496 m above sea level. Shillong remained the capital of Assam, before the formation of Meghalaya in the 1974. The place, the people and the climate all combined together to create an amiable atmosphere, to make Shillong Meghalaya an ideal holiday destination throughout the year. Cherrapunjee, the wettest place on earth is only 56 kms away from Shillong. Shillong has beautiful lakes and waterfalls, and is set in pine forests and green mountains. It is a popular hill-station which the British used to call the Scotland of the East.
Cherrapunji
High above the hazy valleys and foaming rivers, hidden in the rolling clouds and perched on an headland, lies Cherrapunji, 4,500 ft above the sea level. Cherrapunji, the wettest place in the world, is 56 km southwest of Shillong in the East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya. Cherrapunji in the north eastern state of Meghalaya is a spectacular location with the year-round rain. Long ago, Cherrapunji in Meghalaya had earned the coveted place in the Guinness Book of World for being the wettest place on the earth. This is one place all over the world, where the rainfall can be recorded in feet rather than in millimeters. Cherrapunji village is now called Sohra.
Tura
Tura is a peak, about 2,500 ft above the Tura town in the north eastern state of Meghalaya in India. Tura in Meghalaya is famous for its picture postcard beauty. Tura Megahalaya, a town in the Garo Hills, boasts of a wonderful landscape of lofty hills, against a backdrop of low-lying plains, with the mighty river Brahmaputra, dramatically rushes through, towards Bangladesh. Tura is a valley located at the foothills of the Tura Hills and right below the Tura Peak. The climate in Tura is moderate throughout the year and has a large number of interesting and unexplored areas. The native god Durama was believed to reside in the hills. The name Tura is said to be a corruption (by the British) of the god's name.
Umiam Lake
Umiam Lake A beautiful lake north of Shillong, which resembles the 'Lochs', or lakes of Scotland, and is a must-see for all tourists. This lake is man-made and is better known as 'Barapani' (big water) for its sheer size. There is a water sports complex. There is a garden ( Lum Nehru park) by the side water sports complex. It is also a popular fishing destination of the locals. The Orchid Lake Resort lies on its bank.
Wards Lake
Wards Lake Wards Lake is an artificial lake surrounded by a fairly large garden. Boating facilities are available in the lake. It has a wooden bridge at the middle. Lots of lotus plants with leaves are there on either side of lake. One can find lots of colourful fishes in the lake. A cafeteria is there to provide refreshment.A fountain dancing to the tunes of song is also there.
Don Bosco Museum of Indigenous North East Culture
Run by the Salesian order of the Catholic Church, the Don Bosco Museum is a truly amazing repository of information on the entire North Eastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura. Located within the precincts of the Sacred Heart Church, Mawlai, the edifice iteself is shaped like a spiral and its distinct form is discernible from quite some distance away. It has an amazing collection of attire, accoutrements, weapons, ornamentation and rare photographs. This is also the largest cultural museum in the whole Asia. Fr Sebastian is the priest who has taken up the cause of preservation of art and culture with "missionary zeal!
Lady Hydari Park and Zoo
The park has variety of local flowering plants and orchids. It also has a small zoo within it. Children wiil like it as there are few swings, sea-saws, slips for them. It is a famous picnic spot for local population. This park is named after the Lady Hydari, the first lady of the state, wife of the Governor of Assam. This park has a mini zoo and a deer park, which is spread over more than one kilometre.
Sweet Falls
Located in Happy Valley, it is a very steep fall. Sweet Falls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls around Shillong, is an ideal location for a day's outing or picnic. Extreme caution is advised as there are no barricades and rocks are nearly always slippery (due to rain or dew).
Rengthiam Falls
Rengthiam Falls is a glittering waterfall located at Mawlyngad, on the Shillong-Towai Highway, about 15 km from Shillong, in Meghalaya. The captivating beauty of this scintillating waterfall, untouched in its natural beauty and surroundings, allures any nature lover and hence is a favored destination for tourists and group picnickers.
Bishop and Beadon Falls
Located in Suna valley,these two are very beautiful falls. Suna is the home to wild animals such as deer, leopard,langurs,wild cats and numerous bird species.
Elephant Falls
It is located in Upper Shillong area which also houses the Eastern Air Command of Indian Airforce. The scenic fall is not continuous and more of collection of smaller falls. It has footpath leading to bottom fo fall where it reaches a small lake. Its name elephant falls was given by British. Because there was a rock by the side of fall which resembled elephant. The rock was destroyed in earthquake.
Shillong Peak:
Shillong Peak Shillong Peak is the highest point in state of Meghalaya (1965 meters above sea level). An ideal picnic spot, the Shillong Peak offer breathtaking bird"s eye view of the city and the scattered villages around the Peak. The city view during night is a scene to remember.
Butterfly Museum
There is a huge collection of different types of butterflies. Students of zoology will find them interesting. This place is also attractive for adults where they can see the natural beauty and play with the beautiful and colourful butterflies. This museum presents some of the finest and rarest species of butterflies. The butterflies are also bred here as a conservatory measure.
Golf Course:
Shillong golf course is located at an altitude of around 5200 ft. This is the first golf course of India which has 18 holes in it. This place is like a dream come true for the putters. This golf course is so beautiful and located at the unique location that some time it is compared with the “ Glen Eagle Course” of the United State.
Lewduh Bara Bazar
A walk through Iewduh (Bara Bazar), Iewduh means Big Market - It is one of the biggest market in North-East India. There are separate areas dedicated to vegetables, fruits, iron works, fish, beef, betel and so on.
Thangkharang Park
Thangkharang Park, a beautiful park, is situated 12 km from Cherrapunji in East Khasi Hills District. The park houses a bird sanctuary and offers almost 180 degree view of the plains of Bangladesh. Monsoon is the best time to visit here. Kynrem Falls is also located within the park.
Baghmara
Baghmara is the headquarters of South Garo Hills district in the state of Meghalaya in India. The place is bordered by Bangladesh and is about 113 km from Tura. It has a river flowing through its expanse and is also covered in hills and tracts along the way. The famous Siju Cave is about 45 km away and to get to Siju one needs to go through Baghmara.
Balpakram National Park
Balpakram is a hill range located in Garo Hills in Meghalaya,India. Balphakram National Park lies in the southern part of Meghalaya, to the west of the Caro hills below the ancient granite Balphakram plateau. Garos, the locals inhabiting the region, believe this hill to be the sort of resting place for departed souls. This belief is due to many strange yet natural formations, physical and biological, found in the hills. The place is also known for rare flora and fauna species and marine fossils.
National Citrus Gene Sanctuary
National Citrus Gene Sanctuary-cum-Biosphere Reserve, spread over an area of over 47 sq km, was established with the aim to protect the mother germo plasm of Citrus-indica. It is located in West Garo Hills District of Meghalaya. The sanctuary is covered with evergreen and semi-evergreen forests but has a rocky terrain and is nourished by numerous rivers and streams. The sanctuary is a natural habitat for rare and endangered species of animals, birds, butterflies and reptiles. It is also home to rare orchids.
Spread Eagle Falls
Spread Eagle, located in the Shillong Cantonment, about 6 km from the city, is a sparkling waterfall that looks like an eagle with wings spread out. The water cascades down steep hills that tower round the three sides, into a deep pool beneath. The calm and serene ambience makes it a favorite spot for tourists. The Spread Eagle Falls is also known as Sati Falls and Urkaliar, or the falls into which Ka Liar slipped.
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