Shillong — Scotland of the East
Waterfalls, living root bridges and misty pine hills
Scotland of the East · Best Oct–May
Verified by editor · 12 Jun 2026
Shillong, Meghalaya's capital, earned its 'Scotland of the East' nickname from the British for its rolling pine hills and mist. It's the gateway to some of the world's wettest, greenest landscapes — waterfalls, sacred forests and the famous living root bridges of the surrounding plateau.
Travel scores
Who it's for
Waterfalls and lakes are engaging for kids, though root-bridge treks suit older, fitter children better.
Misty pine hills, waterfalls and a laid-back café scene make for a distinctive, quiet getaway.
Safe, welcoming and increasingly popular with independent travellers exploring the Northeast.
Good-value guesthouses and an emerging backpacker trail through Meghalaya's villages.
Shillong town is manageable; the famous root-bridge treks nearby require good fitness.
Best time to visit
October to May offers the driest, clearest weather — ideal for sightseeing and root-bridge treks. Meghalaya is one of the wettest places on Earth, so June to September brings very heavy monsoon rain, though the landscape is at its most dramatically green.
Major attractions
- Elephant Falls — A picturesque three-tiered waterfall just outside town, one of Shillong's signature sights.
- Living root bridges (Cherrapunji/Mawlynnong) — Bridges grown from living rubber-fig tree roots by the Khasi people, some over a century old.
- Umiam Lake — A large reservoir ringed by pine hills, popular for boating and picnics.
- Mawlynnong village — Often cited as one of Asia's cleanest villages, with a skywalk and bamboo architecture.
- Shillong Peak — The highest point around the city, with sweeping views over the surrounding hills.
Suggested 3-day itinerary
- 1
Shillong town
Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak, and the town's café and market scene.
- 2
Cherrapunji day trip
A day trip to Cherrapunji for waterfalls, caves and living root bridges.
- 3
Mawlynnong & Umiam Lake
Visit Mawlynnong village and its living root bridge, then relax at Umiam Lake on the return.
Food & drink
Khasi cuisine features jadoh (rice cooked in pork blood) and pork-based dishes, alongside a strong café culture in Shillong itself serving local coffee and continental fare.
Shopping
Police Bazaar and Iewduh (Bara Bazaar) sell Khasi handloom textiles, bamboo and cane products, local honey and Meghalaya's distinctive orange-flavoured products.
Local etiquette & customs
Meghalaya is one of India's matrilineal societies (Khasi and Garo communities) — be respectful and curious rather than presumptuous about local customs, and dress modestly at sacred groves and village sites.
- Respect sacred forest groves — some are off-limits or require a local guide.
- Ask permission before photographing villagers, especially in smaller communities.
- Follow marked trails on root-bridge treks; some routes involve steep, slippery steps.
Festivals & events
A celebration of the region's unique autumn-flowering cherry trees, with concerts and cultural events.
A Garo harvest festival with drumming, dance and traditional attire.
Getting there & around
Guwahati's airport and railway station (~130 km) are the main gateways, followed by a scenic road journey. Shillong itself is compact; hired cars with drivers are the standard way to reach Cherrapunji and root-bridge villages.
Good to know
- Book a local driver or guide for Cherrapunji and root-bridge day trips — roads are winding and signage limited.
- The double-decker root bridge at Nongriat requires a steep multi-hour trek — go prepared with good shoes.
- Meghalaya is genuinely one of the wettest places on Earth — always carry rain gear outside the dry season.
- Mobile network is patchy outside Shillong town — download offline maps in advance.
Packing list
Practical info
What it costs
A mid-budget couple typically spends ₹2,300–4,000/day, with day-trip driver hire to Cherrapunji a notable cost.
Budget-level estimate for two sharing; excludes long-distance travel to reach Shillong.
Safety & essentials
Meghalaya is generally very safe and increasingly set up for tourism.
Root-bridge treks involve steep, sometimes slippery steps — wear proper footwear and pace yourself.
Roads and trails can be affected by extremely heavy rainfall June–September.
Frequently asked
How many days do you need for Shillong and Meghalaya?
Four to five days lets you cover Shillong, Cherrapunji and the living root bridges without rushing.
Is the root-bridge trek difficult?
The Nongriat double-decker bridge trek is steep with thousands of steps — moderately strenuous but doable for most fit travellers.
Is Meghalaya safe for tourists?
Yes — it's a welcoming, increasingly popular region for domestic and international travellers.