Shillong
Meghalaya · East Khasi Hills · 1,496m
The Scotland of the East — live music, pine forests, waterfalls, and the best cafe culture in Northeast India.
Why Special
Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya and India's rock music capital. Ward's Lake, Don Bosco Museum (tallest museum in Asia), Elephant Falls, and Shillong Peak are iconic. The city has a thriving cafe scene, a Bob Dylan legacy, and hosts some of India's best indie music festivals. No permit required. Pleasant weather year-round. Gateway to Cherrapunji, Dawki, and Mawlynnong.
Before you decide
Everyone goes to Shillong
Here's what they miss.
At least now you know what's out there.
Festivals & Events
Nongkrem Dance
NovNovember (5 days)
The most important Khasi festival — men in feathered headdresses and swords, women draped in gold silk, goat sacrifice, and five days of thanksgiving to the goddess Ka Blei Synshar.
The Khasi people's sacred thanksgiving — gold, feathers, and devotion.
Cherry Blossom Festival
NovMid-November
India's only cherry blossom festival — Shillong's streets turn pink as Prunus cerasoides bloom. Live music, photography walks, food stalls, and a Japan-like aesthetic in the hills.
India's unique cherry blossom moment — pink streets in the Scotland of the East.
Infrastructure Reality
Network Coverage
Good 4G in Shillong city. Patchy signal towards Cherrapunji and Dawki. BSNL most reliable in rural Meghalaya.
WiFi: Hotels and cafes in Police Bazar and Laitumkhrah
Medical & Emergency
Hospital: Civil Hospital Shillong — Laitumkhrah. NEIGRIHMS (major hospital) 12km
Ambulance: 108 service active in Meghalaya
Police: Sadar PS — Jail Road, near Police Bazar
Getting There
Guwahati — 104km, 3hr by road. Shillong Airport (Umroi) 30km — limited flights.
Roads: NH6 from Guwahati well-maintained. City roads good.
Public transport: Shared taxis from Guwahati. City autos and taxis available.
Fuel & Stay
Fuel: Police Bazar area — several within 2km
EV charging available
Stay: ₹₹500-1200/night — guesthouses near Police Bazar – ₹1500-3500/night — Hotel Polo Towers, Centre Point/night
Helpline: 100 (police), 108 (ambulance), 1077 (disaster)
The stay decisions worth flagging in Shillong.
Shillong is Meghalaya's capital — the Scotland of the East. Stay scene splits: lakeside (Ri Kynjai on Umiam Lake, 20 min out), central (Courtyard Marriott, Polo Towers), and heritage (smaller colonial-era hotels like Hotel Alpine Continental). Peak season Oct-Mar. Most visitors stay 2-3 nights to cover Shillong + Cherrapunji day-trip + Mawlynnong day-trip.
Ri Kynjai Resort is ₹5-8k more per night than Courtyard by Marriott Shillong — what you get: 45-acre lakeside resort with Khasi-thatch-hut architecture on Umiam Lake, 20 min from Shillong centre. Marriott gives you standard city-centre business hotel at 40% less. The delta buys you the distinctive Khasi-style eco-resort setting, not closer city access.
Ri Kynjai Resort
Name means 'serenity by the lake' — 45-acre resort on Umiam Lake (20 min from Shillong). Cottages designed after Khasi thatch huts but modern-luxury inside. One of the best resorts in Meghalaya. Book 2+ months ahead for peak Oct-Apr.
Courtyard by Marriott Shillong
Marriott Bonvoy-brand luxury in central Shillong. Recent 2026 reviews praise great breakfast. Free Wi-Fi, free self parking. Best central-location pick if Ri Kynjai's lake-distance from the city doesn't work for you.
Hotel Polo Towers Shillong
Central Shillong, modern construction, good service. Mid-range alternative to Marriott and Ri Kynjai — decent quality at 30-40% less. Sister property in Cherrapunji for multi-day Meghalaya circuits.
Shnongpdeng Cave Lodge
We recommend it for stays in converted limestone caves near underground rivers in Shnongpdeng village, combining caving, swimming, and village immersion 40 km from Shillong.
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Neighborhood guide
Where to base yourself, by vibe.
Daily Budget Reality
Budget
₹1,200Mid-range
₹3,200Luxury
₹7,500💡 One of the most affordable NE state capitals.
Crowd Intelligence
Best days: Weekdays
Cherry Blossom Festival in November draws big crowds.
Food & Dining
Cuisine: Khasi, North Indian, Chinese, Continental
Try jadoh (Khasi rice-meat dish), tungrymbai (fermented soybean), and dohkhlieh (pork salad). Police Bazar area has everything. Cafe culture rivals any Indian metro.
How to Reach
🌍 For International Travelers
Cultural Context
Scotland of the East — strong British colonial and Scottish missionary influence. Khasi matrilineal society. Live music culture, cafes, and churches. Progressive and cosmopolitan for Northeast India.
What to Wear
Casual, Western-style clothing widely accepted. Shillong is fashion-conscious. Warm layers — cool year-round at 1,496m.
Food Safety
Excellent food scene — cafes, restaurants serving Khasi, Continental, Korean, and North Indian food. Safe in established places. Tap water not recommended.
Common Scams to Watch For
- Taxi overcharging — use Shillong City Bus or agree on fare before boarding
Cards & Cash
Yes — most restaurants, hotels, and shops accept cards and UPI in Police Bazaar and Laitumkhrah areas.
English Spoken
High — one of the highest English proficiency cities in India. Legacy of Scottish Presbyterian missionaries.
Phone & SIM
All carriers work well — Jio, Airtel, BSNL. Good 4G coverage in city.
Nearest Embassy
Kolkata (~1,200km).
e-Visa for India. No ILP needed for Meghalaya.
Meet the Locals
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