Shillong isn’t just trending—it’s exploding. Travel data shows it’s officially the most-searched Indian destination of 2025, beating out Goa, Manali, and Ladakh. And once you’re here, it’s easy to see why. With its pine-scented hills, Khasi food culture, world-famous music scene, and landscapes that look like fantasy film sets, Shillong is the city that has finally stepped into the spotlight.
This is your complete guide to Shillong—where to eat, what to see, where to stay, and the experiences you’ll remember long after you’ve gone.
Food in Shillong: A Khasi Culinary Journey
Shillong’s cuisine is rooted in Khasi tradition, built on pork, rice, and ferments, but it’s also constantly evolving.
Start with jadoh, the signature Khasi dish: red rice slow-cooked with pork fat, turmeric, and bay leaves. Pair it with doh neiiong, black sesame pork rich and nutty in flavor, and tungrymbai, a stir-fried fermented soybean dish that delivers a bold, umami punch. Vegetarian travelers will find comfort in pumaloi, steamed rice cakes often served with local red tea.
The best places to taste these dishes are Trattoria in Police Bazar, a cult favorite serving Khasi thalis, or the casual chain of Jadoh eateries near Don Bosco Square. For a blend of local food and modern café culture, Dylan’s Café is the spot: waffles, ribs, coffee, and music in a space dedicated to Shillong’s most enduring love—Bob Dylan.
For immersion, head into the markets. Iewduh (Bara Bazar) is Shillong’s oldest traditional market, packed with foraged greens, spices, meat, and woven baskets, while Police Bazar offers souvenirs like shawls and bamboo handicrafts.
Nature: Exploring Shillong’s Unbelievable Landscapes
1. Umiam Lake
If you’re driving up from Guwahati, Umiam Lake is your true welcome to Shillong. Spread across nearly 220 square kilometers, this vast reservoir was created in the 1960s with the construction of the Umiam Dam, but it feels anything but man-made. Surrounded by pine-covered hills, it has the stillness of a mountain lake in Switzerland, with the added warmth of Meghalaya’s highland air.
Sunrise here is nothing short of magical. The water catches the first light in shades of gold and silver, and if you’re quiet enough, you’ll hear nothing but the lapping of ripples and the soft call of birds waking up in the trees. Early mornings are best for photography, while evenings see locals and travelers alike strolling the banks or gathering for picnics.
For the more adventurous, Umiam is one of the few lakes in the region where you can try your hand at water sports—from kayaking and paddle boating to jet skiing. Families often head to the Umiam Water Sports Complex, while romantics and slow travelers prefer to simply wander the shoreline with a cup of local tea in hand.
And then there’s Ri Kynjai, the lakeside resort that has become almost synonymous with luxury in Shillong. Perched above the lake, it offers sweeping balcony views that make you feel like the world has slowed down just for you. Even if you don’t stay here, stopping by for a meal or spa treatment is worth the detour.
2. Laitlum Canyons
About an hour’s drive from central Shillong lies one of Meghalaya’s most cinematic landscapes: the Laitlum Canyons. The name translates to “end of the hills,” and the moment you arrive, you’ll see why. From the ridge, the earth seems to drop away into a seemingly endless cascade of valleys, gorges, and misty folds of green.
It’s a place of drama. Clouds roll across the cliffs like stage curtains, revealing and concealing villages tucked deep into the valley. On clear days, you can see for miles, while in the mist the scene feels otherworldly—like something from a Tolkien novel. Photographers love it, but it’s equally rewarding for those who just want to sit in silence, letting the wind whip past and the view recalibrate their sense of scale.
For trekkers, Laitlum offers trails that descend into the valley, leading to small Khasi settlements where daily life unfolds far from the bustle of Shillong. These hikes are best done with a local guide who knows the routes and can introduce you to the people who call this dramatic landscape home. Carry water, start early, and plan to spend a full day if you want to go beyond the main viewpoint.
3. Living Root Bridges
Perhaps no image captures Meghalaya better than its living root bridges. These are not ordinary bridges—they’re grown. For centuries, the Khasi people have trained the roots of rubber fig trees across streams and rivers, patiently weaving and guiding them until they form strong, natural walkways that can last for hundreds of years.
The most famous of them all is the double-decker root bridge at Nongriat, a feat of living architecture that looks almost otherworldly. Getting there is no casual stroll, though—it requires descending about 3,500 steps into the valley, a journey that tests even fit travelers. But once you arrive, the reward is extraordinary: roots twisted into latticework, arching across gushing water, alive and breathing even as they carry generations of footsteps.
Along the way, you’ll pass waterfalls, butterfly-filled clearings, and small villages where life flows at a slower rhythm. Spending a night in Nongriat at a local homestay is highly recommended, as it lets you explore the area without rushing back up the stairs the same day. And when you finally do make the climb back to Sohra, you’ll carry with you not just a memory, but a profound respect for a community that literally grew its infrastructure from nature.
4. Dawki and the Umngot River
If you’ve ever seen photos of boats appearing to float on air in Meghalaya, you’ve seen Dawki. The town itself is a small border settlement near Bangladesh, but its claim to fame is the Umngot River, which on a clear day looks impossibly transparent. The riverbed is visible through emerald-green water, and boats cast shadows on the stones below as though suspended in glass.
The best time to visit is between November and April, when rainfall is low and the river is at its clearest. Arrive early in the morning for the best chance of mirror-like calm, as the winds tend to ruffle the surface later in the day. Boating is organized by local associations, and while prices vary, expect to pay a modest fee for a half-hour glide in a traditional wooden canoe or a glass-bottom boat.
Dawki is more than just a photo opportunity. It’s a place where you feel the gentle pulse of life by the water: fishermen casting nets, children playing along the banks, and the distant hum of traffic crossing the suspension bridge into Bangladesh. Combine a visit here with Krang Suri Falls for a perfect day trip out of Shillong—long, yes, but unforgettable.
5. Mawphlang Sacred Forest
Of all Shillong’s natural treasures, few carry the same sense of reverence as the Mawphlang Sacred Forest. This sprawling grove, protected for centuries by local Khasi traditions, is more than just a cluster of ancient trees—it is a living, breathing altar to the spirits of the land.
Walking into the forest with a local guide, you’ll notice the atmosphere shift almost immediately. The ground is carpeted in moss, sunlight filters softly through the canopy, and monoliths stand scattered among the roots, reminders of rituals performed long before tourists ever arrived. The rules here are clear: nothing must leave the forest. No flower, no leaf, no stone. To do so, locals say, is to invite misfortune.
But this isn’t about superstition—it’s about ecology and respect. By enforcing these taboos, the Khasi people have preserved biodiversity that has vanished elsewhere. Orchids cling to branches, medicinal plants thrive underfoot, and birds flit through an ecosystem that feels untouched.
A walk through Mawphlang isn’t about adrenaline or spectacle. It’s about perspective—about realizing that in Meghalaya, the line between culture and nature doesn’t exist. They are one and the same.
Where to Stay in Shillong
Shillong offers stays for every traveler profile.
For lakeside luxury, Ri Kynjai – Serenity by the Lake provides panoramic views of Umiam Lake, Khasi-inspired design, and a spa that makes you want to cancel your plans. In the heart of the city, Vivanta Meghalaya and Courtyard by Marriott Shillong deliver international comfort with easy access to markets, cafés, and music venues.
For boutique charm, Café Shillong Bed & Breakfast is a restored colonial bungalow full of warmth and character, while Zostel Shillong caters to budget travelers with a community vibe.
Experiences: Living the Shillong Way
The single biggest reason Shillong has a cult following is music. From pub gigs to legendary choirs, the city pulses with rhythm. Each year on May 24, locals gather for Bob Dylan’s birthday, led by musician Lou Majaw, while November brings the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival, combining live performances, food, and streets dusted pink with blossoms.
Between gigs, the best experiences in Shillong happen slowly. Wander Laitumkhrah and Risa Colony, where cafés, record shops, and pine-lined streets make perfect afternoons. Join a guided walk through Iewduh market, sampling wild ferns, red rice, and bamboo shoots. Trek down to Nongriat village for the double-decker root bridge and swim in its natural pools. Or plan a long day trip combining Dawki’s Umngot River with the electric turquoise of Krang Suri Falls.
Practical Travel Tips for Shillong
How to get there: The most reliable route is to fly into Guwahati Airport and drive three hours to Shillong. Direct flights operate from Kolkata to Shillong’s Umroi Airport, though schedules are limited.
Permits: No Inner Line Permit required, but accommodations must register guests via the state tourism app. Carry ID.
When to visit: October to April is best, with November cherry blossoms as the highlight. Monsoon months bring dramatic waterfalls but trickier trekking.
Transport: Taxis are the easiest for day trips. Shared cabs run inside the city, but parking can be tight.
Money & connectivity: UPI payments are widely accepted in Shillong, but cash is still handy for smaller villages. Mobile coverage is good in town, patchy in valleys.
Why Shillong Is Trending Now
Shillong isn’t just trending because it looks good on Instagram—it’s trending because it offers something that’s become rare: a balanced experience of nature, culture, and community. You can wake to sunrise over Umiam Lake, eat pork-infused jadoh for lunch, trek to a living root bridge in the afternoon, and end the day at a café with live music. That’s why it’s suddenly at the top of every search list.
Final Word
Shillong is more than a destination; it’s a mood. It’s pine forests soaked in mist, cafés alive with guitars, rivers so clear they defy belief, and food that warms you straight through. Right now, it’s India’s most-searched city. But when you leave, you’ll realize it’s not just a place that people are searching for—it’s a place you’ll keep searching for in memory.
