Explore Shillong
Places to Visit in Shillong
Top attractions and must-see spots in Shillong
Landmarks
8
Must VisitDon Bosco Museum
Famous museum on Northeast India’s culture.
All Saints Cathedral
Old church with stained glass windows.
Brookside Bunglow Rabindranath Tagore Museum
Tagore’s former bungalow turned literature museum.
Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians
Historic cathedral with grand architecture.
Don Bosco Square
Central square in Police Bazar where locals gather.
Ever Living Museum
Private museum with fossils, tools, and artifacts.
Rhino Museum
Military and cultural museum in Assam Rifles campus.
State Museum
Museum showcasing Meghalaya’s history and culture.
Scenic Spots
19
Must VisitElephant Falls
Famous Elephant Falls with three water tiers.
Must VisitLaitlum Grand Canyon
Stunning canyon views of valleys and green hills.
Must VisitUmiam Lake
Large blue lake, also called Barapani, with boating.
Beadon Bishop Viewpoint
Viewpoint in Mawlai with city and sunset views.
Botanical Gardens
Garden with diverse plants near Wards Lake.
Khasi Hills
Scenic hills central to Khasi culture.
Lady Hydari Park
Well-kept park with trails and greenery.
Lumheh Laitkyrhong View Point
Viewpoint with wide valley and hill views.
Matilang Park
Family park near Elephant Falls for picnics.
Rableng Hill
Hill near Smit popular for trekking and views.
Rengthiam
Peaceful waterfall near Smit village.
Shillong Peak View Point
Highest point with panoramic views of Shillong.
Sohpetbneng
Sacred Khasi peak with spiritual and scenic views.
Sonapani Waterfall Cliff
Cliff near Sonapani waterfall with great views.
Sweet Falls
Beautiful waterfall in Happy Valley with forest views.
Sweet Falls View Point
Scenic viewpoint overlooking Sweet Falls.
Tea Garden
Garden on Upper Shillong ridge with fresh air.
Thangsning
Hidden waterfall near Smit, surrounded by forest.
Wards Lake
Historic city lake with boating and gardens.
Science
1
Shopping
6
Bara Bazar (Iewduh)
Bara Bazar, known in Khasi as Iewduh meaning 'the biggest market,' is one of the oldest and largest traditional markets in Northeast India. Situated west of the city centre and administered by the Syiem of Mylliem, this labyrinthine bazaar is predominantly run by Khasi women, reflecting Meghalaya's matrilineal heritage. Shop for handwoven shawls, Sohmirit pepper, Ryndiah silk, tribal knives, fresh produce, and local spices. Annual monolith-erection ceremonies add rare cultural depth to every visit.
Laitumkhrah Market
Laitumkhrah Market, known locally as Laimu, is Shillong's most stylish neighbourhood shopping stretch. Unlike the bustle of central bazaars, this uphill main road is lined with curated boutiques, local designer stores, independent bookshops, and cafes that draw students and young professionals. Pick up tribal jewellery, trendy streetwear, and handcrafted accessories while people-watching from one of the area's many beloved cafes. It captures everyday Khasi life at its most relaxed and contemporary.
Mawlai Market
Mawlai Market sits in the dense residential township of Mawlai, one of Shillong's largest and most populated urban areas. A thoroughly local affair, it bustles with vendors selling fresh fish, pork, seasonal vegetables, forest herbs, and Khasi spices. Visitors who wander here hear Khasi spoken at every stall, see baskets piled high with foraged produce, and get a candid glimpse of daily neighbourhood life that no tourist-facing market can replicate. Best visited in the early morning hours.
Nongthymmai Market
Nongthymmai Market is a residential neighbourhood market serving one of Shillong's growing suburban census towns. Primarily catering to daily local needs, it offers fresh vegetables, local fish, poultry, seasonal fruits, and household staples sourced from nearby Meghalayan farms. For travellers keen to experience Shillong beyond the tourist trail, this market provides an authentic, unhurried look at how families in the city's eastern neighbourhoods shop and live day to day.
Police Bazar
Police Bazar is Shillong's commercial nerve centre, known locally as Khyndailad or PB. Located at the heart of the city near the iconic obelisk roundabout, this pedestrian-friendly market blends traditional Khasi culture with modern retail. Browse bamboo handicrafts, handwoven shawls, woollen winter wear, and regional spices alongside branded stores and a lively flea market. Street food stalls serving momos and jadoh make it equally unmissable for food lovers.
Shillong Municipal Board Market
Shillong Municipal Board Market is a civic-run marketplace operating under the Shillong Municipal Board in the core city area. Spread across regulated stalls, it serves as a reliable daily-needs market for residents in central Shillong, offering fresh produce, vegetables, fish, and essential household goods at standardised pricing. While less photographed than Iewduh or Police Bazar, it represents the functional backbone of urban commerce in the city, and rewards curious visitors with an honest slice of ordinary Shillong.
Temple
6Garikhana Hanuman Mandir
A hilltop Hanuman temple near Garikhana, popular with local devotees and visitors.
Gorkha Durga Temple
A community Durga temple linked to Shillong’s Gorkha community, especially active during Durga Puja.
ISKCON Shillong
A Krishna temple and community centre for ISKCON devotees in the Laitumkhrah–Rynjah area.
Mahadev Khola Dham
A historic cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva in Laban, one of Shillong’s most important Hindu pilgrimage sites.
Matri Mandir
A Kali temple in the Polo–Lawmali area, also known historically as Ramna Kalibari.
Narsingh Akhara Temple
A Vaishnava temple in Shillong known especially for its Rath Yatra celebrations.