Snigdha TiwariWith lush green meadows, rivers clear as crystal, pine-covered hills, gorgeous waterfalls, lakes, and majestic forests, the mesmerizing Meghalaya is truly a nature lover’s paradise. The state is not just an abode of natural scenic beauty but also a cradle of the rich cultural and traditional heritage of the Khasi, Garo Jaintia tribes. So, now it’s time to check out the most stunning places to visit on your trip to Meghalaya.
Here are the 9 Magnificent Places To Visit In Meghalaya:
1. Mawkyrwat
Mawkyrwat lies in the unique West Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya at an elevation of about 6000ft and is approximately 50 kilometers from Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya.
Being a head-quarter of the Mawkyrwat sub-division about 35 km from Nongstoin, Mawkyrwat presents a panoramic landscape where a viewpoint has been constructed on top of Mawranglang.
Rich in its natural beauty, culture, and tradition – Mawkyrwat is emerging as a great tourism magnet in the West Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya.
So whenever you plan to visit West Khasi Hills then you must visit Mawkyrwat to experience its stunning viewpoints.
Check out 3 Beautiful Places To Visit In Meghalaya’s East Garo Hills
2. Mawsynram
Mawsynram is a village in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya state in north-eastern India that is 56 km from Shillong.
It receives the highest rainfall in India and the World, that’s why acknowledged as one of the wettest places in the world.
The mesmerizing village of Mawsynram is a nature lover’s delight and the perfect destination to behold the beauty of the rains.
Mawsynram is a place where nature-loving people frequently visit wherein they take pleasure in the steep, sliding slopes, the fresh air, the rolling green mountains, and the deafening but beautiful waterfalls. The village is also well known for its huge formation of a stalagmite, which takes after the shape of a ‘Shivling’.
Mawsynram fame draws an endless stream of guests from across the country and abroad which is a nature lover’s delight.
3. Dawki
Nestled at the bottom of Jaintia hills, one such village is Dawki, which is mostly famous for its crystal clear waters from the river Wah Umngot.
Sandwiched between India and Bangladesh, this little village is known for its beautiful waterfalls that flow uninterrupted and the lush green environment.
The village is also famous for its crystal clear waters from the river and falls that flow throughout the area. The water here flows uninterrupted, not just at the village but also passed through the borders of Bangladesh.
The surrounding greenery, the cold water of the river, and the beautiful suspension bridge on the River Umngot make Dawki a place worth a visit.
If you’re a nature lover and you are curious to explore something unique then Dawki is where you need to head to.
Check out 6 Beautiful Places To Visit In Meghalaya’s West Khasi Hills
4. Tura Peak
Located in the West Garo district of Meghalaya, the Tura Peak is a challenging 1400 m high mountain peak, frequented by ardent mountaineers that is one of the most popular peaks of the Tura Range in West Garo Hills of Meghalaya.
At the top of this peak, there is a tourist bungalow, an observatory, and a Cinchona plantation. There is also a foot track from the base to the top of the peak, which is a feast for mountaineers and trekkers.
Also, the massive yellow plains of Bangladesh welcome your eyes at the peak – an unforgettable sight with the view of the Brahmaputra valley plains.
So, don’t forget to explore Tura Peak when you travel to Tura in Meghalaya.
5. Jakrem
Jakrem has located 64 km from the state capital, this place is famous for its hot water springs of sulfur which are believed to have medicinal benefits. Jakrem is one of the many hidden wonders of the country.
Not densely populated like the other travel destination in Meghalaya, Jakrem is the land of hot springs whose area is blessed with bursts of hot sulfur water, which is gaining popularity among people across the globe.
Since it is located not too far from Shillong and can be accessed from the Mawkyrwat-Shillong Road, you can take a taxi or a bus and reach Jakrem to enjoy a relaxing dip in the hot waters, especially in the colder seasons where you can stop at the many villages en route to Jakrem to enjoy a typical Meghalayan cuisine meal.
Drive down to this location to enjoy its uniqueness with your friends and family.
Check out 6 Beautiful Places To Visit In Meghalaya’s East Khasi Hills
6. Sohra (Cherrapunjee)
Known for its living root bridges, made from rubber trees, Cherrapunjee, also known as Sohra, is a high-altitude town in the northeast Indian state of Meghalaya. It is 56 km from Shillong and is literally the high point of any visit to Meghalaya that is set upon a plateau on the southern slopes of the state.
Sohra is dotted with waterfalls cascading over deep gorges. The swift-flowing rivers and streams flow in a southerly direction to the plains. It is one of those ultimate eco-friendly destinations, a place renowned all over the world for having the privilege of receiving the highest rainfall in the world.
A unique annual meteorological phenomenon directly influenced by the southwest monsoon and the northeast winds. The heavy monsoon rains over these mountains undoubtedly create in Sohra one of the rarest bio-diverse vegetations in the world.
Set against the backdrop of a breath-taking landscape, it is a place to discover the Indian summer monsoons. Sohra, truly a beautiful corner in northeast India, waiting to be discovered and explored by you.
7. Mawthadraishan Peak
Mawthadraishan Peak which takes an hour and a half to reach the main road is located on the northern side of Nongstoin – Shillong road, near Nongshillong, Mawroh, and Markasa villages.
The fish ponds located at the top add to the picturesqueness of this place. The peak is famed among tourists for the panoramic views it offers.
If you thought it is impossible to witness four landmarks from one point, you got to take a trip to Mawthadraishan Peak in Meghalaya. The north opens up views to the Himalayas, and Bangladesh to the south, while the Khasi hills lie to the east and the Garo Hills on the west.
It is one of the most scenic places in Meghalaya and trekking is the best way to explore the essence of this place. So just flip your arms open and let Mawthadraishan Peak breathe some life into you here.
8. Nongkhnum Island
Located about 14 Km from Nongstoin, the district headquarters of West Khasi Hills, Nongkhnum Island is the biggest river island in Meghalaya and the second biggest river island in Asia, after Majuli Island in Assam.
The island is formed by the river Wah Kynshi on the west and south and river Namiliang on the north and east. The island has a beautiful sand beach and the place offers a lot of different activities for the visitors ranging from basking in the sun, boating, fishing, camping, etc.
It also serves as a perfect spot for all nature lovers and for those who want to relieve themselves from the hectic city life. The entry to the island is through a narrow bridge beside the Weinia Falls. You can take a detour from the bridge to witness the Weinia Falls gushing through rocks.
The island itself is really beautiful and painted in shades of green. Overall, the breathtaking scenic beauty and the tranquility of the place itself are worth a visit.
So, if you are visiting Shillong, extend a day of your stay to visit this beautiful river island. You will not be disappointed.
Check out 4 Amazing Places To Visit In Jaintia Hills
9. Laitkynsew
Best known for its living root bridges, Laitkynsew is a village in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya State, in north-eastern India. The Umnnoi living root bridge, known locally as Jingkieng Deingjri, which means ‘bridge of the rubber tree’, is 53 feet long and over 100 years old.
15 km further from Sohra (Cherrapunjee) there is a holiday resort run by a private party that offers visitors treks around the picturesque hills, a spring bath, the thrills of caving, and many other forms of excitement.
Close to the resort, there is the living root bridge across a torrential stream, that any visitor would love to see where in the adjacent village of Nongriat two such living bridges have been created by weaving and inter-twine roots of the same banyan tree. It has come to be referred to as Jingkieng Nongriat or more commonly Double Decker.
Laitkynsew is one of the must-visit places in the East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya due to its living root bridges.
