 The capital of the state of Meghalaya, known as the Scotland of the East - Shillong is a pretty hill town with lakes, grassy downs, pine scented hillsides, English cottages and a fine golf course.,The Shillong Peak, 10 km from the main town. This is the highest point in the state and commands a panoramic view of the valley. In the evening, the city lights below glitter like a giant Christmas tree.
Location
Altitude : 1496 mts
Best Time to Visit
Summers are warm and can be quite humid due to the unpredictable showers. Winters may get as cold as 4 oC. Monsoons arrive in June and it rains heavily till the end of August or September.
Climate (deg C) : Summer - Max 23.3, Min 15 ; Winter - Max 15.6, Min 3.9.
Best time to visit :
October to May. Reasons why: The place comes alive after monsoons with sunny days and a little nip in the air that makes quilts inviting as autumn gives way to winter. Spring in Shillong means lovely little flowers everywhere and the most important Khasi festival, Shad Suk Mynsiem. An important October attraction is the Ka Pomblang Nongkrem - virgin dances, goat sacrifices et al.
How To Get There 
By air: Calcutta is the nearest international airport. The nearest domestic airport is Guwahati, 129 km away. Indian Airlines, Jet airways and Sahara Airlines have daily flights from Delhi. Indian Airlines (daily) and Jet Airways (all days except Thursdays) have flights from Calcutta. Book a flight.
By train: The nearest railhead is also in Guwahati. There are three daily trains from Delhi. The New Delhi-Guwahati-Rajdhani Express runs on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. Several trains also run from Calcutta. The Howrah-Guwahati Saraighat Express runs every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday.
By road: Hourly buses ply the route from Guwahati. The distance to Shillong from
Darjeeling is103 km; Manas, 273 km; Kaziranga is 294 km away; Aizawl is 430 km; Kohima, 469 km; Itanagar is 481 km away, Agartala, 499 km; Siliguri, 578 km and Gangtok is 692 km away. Hire a car in advance.
Attractions
Ward Lake- 1 km, Botanical Garden & Museum- 2 kms, Meghalaya State Museum-1 km, Lady Hydari Park & Mini Zoo- 2 kms, Crinoline Falls & Swimming Pool- 2.5 kms, Wei Tdem (Sweet Falls)- 12 kms, Shillong Peak- 10 kms, Elephanta Falls- 12 kms, Arunachal Pradesh Museum- 3.5 kms, Iewduh Bara Bazar- 1 km, Butterfly Museum- 1 km, Bishop & Beadon Falls- 4 kms, Shillong Golf Course- 6 kms, Polo Grounds- 5 kms, Umian Lake- 16 kms.
Travel Tips
Meghalaya is not called the 'Abode of the Clouds' for nothing. So carry an umbrella with you at all times, no matter when you go.
Excursions
Cherrapunjee - 56 kms, Dwaki - 86 kms
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