Festival · MEGHALAYA
Mid-November · Shillong
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.
Why it mattersIndia's unique cherry blossom moment — pink streets in the Scotland of the East.
November brings the legendary Cherry Blossom Festival — Shillong's hills turn pink-white with Prunus cerasoides. The India International Cherry Blossom Festival (mid-November) is Asia's biggest.
Live in Shillong
A 1920s heritage bungalow built for the Tripura royal family, now a boutique heritage stay. Original wooden floors, fireplaces in rooms, and a garden with pine trees. Feels like stepping into colonial-era Shillong.
Luxury lakeside resort perched above Umiam Lake with private balconies overlooking the water. Khasi-inspired architecture, infinity pool, and a spa that uses local ingredients. The sunrise view from the deck is the best in Meghalaya.
Backpacker-friendly B&B above a popular café in the heart of Shillong. Clean dorms, strong Wi-Fi, and a common room where travelers plan routes together. The café downstairs serves great local coffee and Khasi food.
SignaturePork liver + intestine sausage + jadoh
Bara Bazaar is closed on Sundays. Iewduh's most chaotic day is Wednesday (the traditional market day) — get there before noon for full menu.
SignatureJadoh + jhur kleh + pork thali
Lunch only — open roughly 11 AM to 4 PM. Get there before 1 PM or the jadoh runs out. Cash and small queues are normal.
SignatureNorth Indian + Chinese family dhaba
Long queues 7-9 PM during peak season — call ahead for a family-section table. Veg menu is genuinely large, unusual for Shillong.
SignatureRoasted pork ribs + Sunday live music
Sunday evenings get packed for the live music sets — arrive by 6.30 PM or call ahead. Closes 9.30 PM, slightly later than most Laitumkhrah cafes.
Highest point in Shillong at 6,449 ft. IAF radar station with panoramic views of the city and hills.
Three-tiered waterfall near Shillong. Named by British for an elephant-shaped rock (now destroyed).
Main shopping area of Shillong. Local handicrafts, traditional Khasi jewelry, and street food.
Seven-story museum of indigenous cultures of Northeast India. 17 galleries with 14,000+ artifacts.
Dramatic canyon meaning "End of Hills". Steep grassy slopes dropping into deep valleys with misty views.
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