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Shillong
About Shillong

Shillong is the capital of Meghalaya, one of the smallest states in India and home to the Khasis. It is the headquarters of the East Khasi Hills district and is located at an average elevation of 4,908 feet (1,496 m) above sea level, with the highest point being Shillong Peak at 6,449 feet (1,966 m). According to the 2011 census Shillong is the 330th most populous city in India with population of 143,007. It is said that the rolling hills around the town reminded the European settlers of Scotland. Hence, Shillong is known as "Scotland of the East." The population density of the state of Meghalaya in the current decade is 342 people per sq mile.

It has steadily grown in size and importance since it was made the civil station of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills in 1864 by the British. In 1874, on the formation of Assam as a Chief Commissioner's Province, it was chosen as the headquarters of the new administration because of its convenient location between the Brahmaputra and Surma valleys and more so because the climate of Shillong was much cooler than tropical India. Shillong remained the capital of undivided Assam until the creation of the new state of Meghalaya on 21 January 1972, when Shillong became the capital of Meghalaya and Assam moved its capital to Dispur in Guwahati.

 
Geography

Shillong is at 25.57°N 91.88°E. It is on the Shillong Plateau, the only major uplifted structure in the northern Indian shield. The city lies in the centre of the plateau and is enclosed by hills, three of which are honored in Khasi tradition: Lum Sohpetbneng, Lum Diengiei and Lum Shillong.

Weather conditions
Pleasant, pollution-free; summers: The temperature varies from 23 °C(73 °F); winters: The temperature varies from 4 °C (39 °F).

Location
Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya is just 55 km (34 mi) from Mawsynram, the world's wettest place. Shillong receives far less precipitation due to the orographic effect.

 
Climate of Shillong

Shillong has a sub-tropical climate with mild summers and chilly to cold winters due to its latitude and high altitude. Under Köppen’s climate classification the city features a subtropical highland climate. Shillong is subject to vagaries of the monsoon. The monsoons arrive in June and it rains almost until the end of August. October–November and March–April are the best months to visit Shillong.

Tourist Attractions in Shillong

Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures
The Don Bosco Museum is part of DBCIC (Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures). DBCIC comprises research on cultures, publications, training, animation programmes and the museum, which is a place of knowledge-sharing on the cultures of the northeast in particular, and of culture in general. DBCIC with its Don Bosco Museum is situated at Mawlai, Shillong.

Shillong Golf Course
Shillong has one of the largest golf courses (the world's wettest) in Asia. It enjoys the rare distinction of being one of the few natural golf courses in Asia. Shillong Golf Course is not only scenic and enjoyable but it is also challenging. A group of British civil service officers introduced golf to Shillong in 1898 by constructing a nine-hole course. The present 18-hole course was launched in 1924. The course is set in a valley which is covered with pine and rhododendron trees. Shillong Golf Course is considered to be the "Glen Eagle of the East" at the United States Golf Association Museum. It is located in a valley at an elevation of 5200 ft in 1898 as a nine-hole course and later converted into a 18-hole course in 1924 by Captain Jackson and C. K. Rhodes.

Chrysalis the Gallery
This art gallery is on the second floor of Salonsar Mansion at Police Bazaar,it is the commercial hub of Shillong. Chrysalis has flexible spacing to display paintings (canvases), sculpture, photography and handicrafts. Run by a local artist, Jaya Kalra, the gallery caters to exhibitions of artists and artisans especially from the northeast and also from the rest of India.

Shillong Peak
Shillong Peak is a picnic spot which is about 10 km from the city, 1965 m above sea level, it offers a panoramic view of the scenic countryside and is the highest point in the state. Obeisance is paid to U Shulong at the sanctum sanctorum at the peak's summit every springtime, by the religious priest of Mylliem State.

Elephant Falls
Elephant Falls are about 12 km on the outskirts of the city, the mountain stream descends through two successive falls set in dells of fern covered rocks.

Lady Hydari Park
The park extends over a kilometre and has an nearby mini zoo.

Wards Lake
Wards Lake is famous locally as Nan-Polok. Its an artificial lake with garden and boating facilities.

Motphran
Motphran is known as the “Stone of France” which is locally known as "Motphran" was erected in memory of the 26th Khasi Labour Corps who served under the British in France during World War I. It bears the words of the famous Latin poet Horace "Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori" which can be roughly translated as "It is sweet and fitting to die for one's country."

Bishop and Beadon Falls
Both cascade down the same escarpment into a deep valley.

Capt. Williamson Sangma State Museum
This government museum offers insights to the lifestyle of the people. This museum is in the State Central Library complex where monuments for the great patriots of the state were erected besides the statue of Smt. Indira Gandhi and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose.

Spread Eagle Falls
Spread Eagle Falls are located about 3 km from Polo Grounds.

Sweet Falls
Sweet Falls (also called “Weitden,” in the native dialect) is the most wonderful of all the waterfalls in Shillong. It lies about 5 km from the Happy Valley and is about 96 m in height.

Entomological Museum (Butterfly Museum)
It is a privately owned museum of M/s Wankhar, Riatsamthiah, Shillong about 2 km from Police Bazar is the only known museum in India devoted to moths and butterflies.

State Museum
State Museum is  Located at the State Central Library complex.

Crinoline Falls
Crinoline Falls are located near  Lady Hydari Park.

How to reach Shillong

By Rail
There are no rail lines in Meghalaya. The nearest railway station is Guwahati. It is 105 km from Shillong (reportedly takes 5 hours via taxi) and very well linked with all major cities of India.

By Road
The main interstate bus stand is located right next to Guwahati railway station. Buses run by Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) and Meghalaya Transport Corporation (MTC), work every half an hour from Guwahati to Shillong. Many private run buses also run between two cities but they leave from Paltan Bazar area. Private buses might be better built but are occasionally crowded and have more stops enroute.

By Air
Shillong Airport (SHL) is in Umroi which is about 40 km from Shillong (also known as Barapani Air Force Base or Umroi Airport). It is a small airport with flights via Alliance Air (operated by Indian Airlines) to/from Calcutta on certain days of the week. However, flights to Umroi are only from Calcutta and generally are cancelled at the last minute due to inclement weather. Guwahati airport which is 4&1/2 to 5 hours from shillong is a preferable option.Gopinath Bordoloi Airport (GAU) in Guwahati (104 km from Shillong) is connected to rest of India with regular flights. Shared cabs (typically small cars from the airport, and larger Tata Sumos from Guwahati town center) are available from outside airport connecting to Shillong.

 

 


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