Shillong, the largest city in the state of Meghalaya, is considered by many to be the rock and fashion capital of India. Like with any grand designation, there is some debate and competition as to the validity of the claim, but there is no doubt that any visitor who visits will be immediately struck by the keen sense of aesthetics present among the residents of the city. Unlike many modern cities, Shillong is full of youth, and the youth of Shilling is very piped into worldwide trends, though they tend to have a preference for the genres and trends of previous decades. Fish sellers will be playing Green Day on little speakers, and high schoolers walk around listening to Led Zeppelin out loud. This vibrant city is all the more sanctified by the backdrop of rainy weather, lush greenery, and ancient forests.
When To Visit Shillong?
Shillong is a great place to visit all year round, and each season has a very different character. The winters, lasting from November to February, can get close to freezing, but there is great beauty to be found in the cold artist's light, which graces the misty forests, streets, and churches. Winter fashion is also in full swing, and fashion-conscious cosmopolitans will feel right at home in Shillong at this time of year.
Meghalaya, the rainiest state in the country, is a sight to behold during the monsoon, which peaks around July. Sheets of rain crash down on the thirsty soil and the forests pump out an earthy, oxygen-rich scent that is most satisfactory to breathe.
The summers, due to the rain as well as the elevation of the city, are never excessively hot.
How To Get Around Shillong?
In general, for tourists, a car is not needed. Driving in this part of the world is especially tricky due to the stark changes in elevation coupled with the narrow roads, high traffic, and anything-goes driving culture. It is easy and affordable to get around by taxi, and visitors will find that most taxis are shared with as many passengers that can fit inside, though for a higher price it is possible to privately hire cabs as well.
Almost everyone speaks English, so navigating the city, whether walking or in a cab, is a simple matter of asking for help. Locals are highly amenable to respectful tourists and will gladly help out in sticky situations.
On top of this, the city is quite safe, even for women walking alone. In a matrilineal culture, women form a foundational basis of the local economy and are therefore intimately engaged in the day-to-day running of things.
Places Of Interest In Shillong
Police Bazar
Most mentions of Shillong begin with the city center, which is Police Bazar. Despite its name, it is not a market for police supplies, but rather a hub of regional commerce. Eight major roads lead to this Bazar, where farmers and merchants from the entire state and beyond come to sell their goods. In the main square, there are modern chains like KFC and Dominos, and in the inner streets, visitors can find numerous dormitories and hotels to spend the night in.
A favorite attraction among locals and tourists is The Evening Club, an upscale restaurant, bar, and live music venue where prominent artists from around the northeast come to perform. The primary genres played here are jazz and classic rock. The venue, which is right in the center of the Police Bazar in the basement of the Eee Cee Hotel, is a welcome refuge from the hustle and bustle of the streets.
- Venue: The Evening Club
- Address: The Eee Cee Hotel, Khyndailad, Police Bazar, Shillong, Meghalaya 793001, India
- Price: $$$
- Hours: 1 PM - 9 PM
Laitumkhrah
Laitumkhrah is another hub in Shillong. Here, amidst the clothing stores and guitar shops, a multitude of swank, independent cafés and restaurants can be found, many of them with outdoor seating overlooking the street. The crowd is generally young and local, owing in part to the nearby high schools and colleges.
The area is surrounded by a panorama of green mountains in the distance, and a perfect day could be spent having a milkshake at Keventers before cozying up at Café Shillong with a book and a warm bowl of Thukpa. In the evenings, the stage will be occupied by local musicians playing a mix of classic hits and Shillong originals.
- Venue: Cafe Shillong
- Address: Don Bosco, Nongkynrih, Laitumkhrah, Shillong, Meghalaya 793003, India
- Price: $
- Hours: Noon - 8 PM
Bara Bazar
Infamous among the locals for being the most complex, maze-like Bazar in the entire state, Bara Bazar is like no other. With dizzying, sharply descending stairwells and twisting passages, this marketplace has extraordinary life in its veins. Cong (the Khasi word for elderly 'aunt') ladies make momos on busy stairwells and warmly invite passersby to take a break from their busy day of shopping, while chickens are slaughtered and sold in little shops nearby. The crowds, structure, and general bustle make it an almost overwhelming place at first, but after a while of navigating the drops and turns, a deeper layer of life force and human essence is revealed, which can be a very powerful thing to experience first hand.
Deep in the guts of this market, everything can be found - everything. In fact, it is the point of origin for almost all hard-to-find goods in the city. Visiting Bara Bazar is generally advisable only for the most adventurous travelers with a high tolerance for culture shock.
Umiam Lake
Umiam Lake is a classic feature of Shillong. The huge, often foggy lake is a source of pristine natural beauty and life. On some of the more remote banks of the lake, luxurious houseboats are anchored, which make for a one-of-a-kind romantic getaway.
Shillong Golf Course
It must be said that Shillong's golf course is utterly gorgeous, but not in the way that visitors might be used to. Every Sunday after mass, the pious families of the city, dressed in their Sunday best, congregate on the fresh lawn of the golf course where they celebrate the glory of life. The atmosphere is much like a carnival, complete with bubbles in the sunlight and the smell of popcorn.
Churches
As a Christian city, the Churches of Shillong are fundamental infrastructure. The Cathedral Catholic Church of Shillong, also called the 'Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians' is a striking structure with intricate architecture painted in a heavenly blue color. It serves as the seat of the Archdiocese and Archbishop of Shillong and commands a massive parish. Traditional Catholics will also be delighted to know that the church follows the Latin Rite tradition -- a rarity as far as modern churches go.