The weather in Shillong
Shilling, the name of the main city of Meghalaya, comes from the Lei Shilling, which means “god Shilling.” For more than one hundred years, this city was also the capital of Assam. But in 1874, Meghalaya became its own state, and Shillong became its capital. But do you know when Shillong is at its most beautiful?
There is a raised road that runs through the city. It is about 1,500 meters above sea level. Summer, Monsoon, and Winter are the three seasons that can be found here. So, let’s look at the weather in Shillong month by month to find the best time to go there.
Months:
Information about the weather in Shillong
| Months | Max. (°C) | Min. (°C) | Avg. (°C) | Max. (°F) | Min. (°F) | Avg. (°F) |
| JANUARY | 15.9 | 4.9 | 10.4 | 60.6 | 40.8 | 50.7 |
| FEBRUARY | 17.4 | 7.3 | 12.3 | 63.3 | 45.1 | 54.1 |
| MARCH | 21.6 | 11.2 | 16.4 | 70.9 | 52.2 | 61.5 |
| APRIL | 23.5 | 14.4 | 18.9 | 74.3 | 57.9 | 66.0 |
| MAY | 23.4 | 15.9 | 19.6 | 74.1 | 60.6 | 67.3 |
| JUNE | 23.7 | 17.9 | 20.8 | 74.7 | 64.2 | 69.4 |
| JULY | 23.9 | 18.5 | 21.2 | 75.0 | 65.3 | 70.2 |
| AUGUST | 24.1 | 18.2 | 21.1 | 75.4 | 64.8 | 70.0 |
| SEPTEMBER | 23.7 | 17.3 | 20.5 | 74.7 | 63.1 | 68.9 |
| OCTOBER | 22.2 | 14.1 | 18.1 | 72.0 | 57.4 | 64.6 |
| NOVEMBER | 19.5 | 9.3 | 14.4 | 67.1 | 48.7 | 57.9 |
| DECEMBER | 16.9 | 5.9 | 11.4 | 62.4 | 42.6 | 52.5 |
The best time to visit Shillong
October and November are the best months to visit Shillong, as well as March and April. Shilling is famous for its waterfalls, like Beadon Falls and Elephant Falls. With its strangest and most beautiful moths and butterflies, the Butterfly Exhibition Hall is a fun place to see. Let’s talk about the seasons to find out when and why it’s best to go to Shillong.
Summer (from March to June)
The best time to visit Shillong is in the summer, from March to June, when it is very nice and cool. This is the best time to go to Shillong because the temperature stays between 15°C and 25°C.
The land is still covered in a soft, lush green carpet. The air is nice, and the mood is relaxing and enjoyable. In April, people in Shillong have a festival called Shad Suk Mynsiem. It’s the Blessing Festival, which means lots of traditional dance, fun, and music.
Rainy season (July to September)
Every year, from July to September, storms hit Shillong. During the season, the area gets heavy rain. About 3300 mm of rain falls each year, and the temperature stays between 12°C and 16°C most of the time.
The rainstorm is great for people who like to explore, people who love nature, or tourists who want to enjoy Shillong’s beautiful scenery.
While you’re there, you might want to check out Behdienkhlam, which is a traditional Jaintia party. It is suggested in July to get rid of the plague and includes traditions and gifts from the ancestors.
Winter (from October to March)
The winter season in Shillong lasts from October to March. Since the temperature changes between 2°C and 22°C, it’s possible to explore the slope station during the day without having to deal with heavy rain or uncomfortable heat.
To get the most out of their trips, people should plan their trips around the events that happen in Shillong. The Autumn Festival, which takes place in October or November, is a great event with games, social events, shows, and other activities that are known all over the world.
The Nongrem Dance Festival also takes place in October or November. It is good to thank the all-powerful for growth, peace, and a great gathering. People praise the Wangala Festival in February as a way to honor the God of Plenty. People in the area cheer during the time, and tourists can see beautiful traditional dresses, frills, and events.
Shillong’s own festival
Shillong is one of India’s most beautiful hill stations, and tourists come there for a quiet and romantic break. Shillong residents are very excited about a number of local holidays. If you can plan your trip around one of these events, you will see a completely different side of Shillong. This is something you will always treasure. Check it out:
Festival of Wangala
The Wangala event is probably the most well-known and loved event among the Garo people of Meghalaya. Wangala Festival is an event where people get together to honor Saljong, the Sun-lord of fertility. Penances are done to please the Sun God.
This is an event that everyone in Meghalaya has to go to. People dress up in bright clothes and feathered hats and do beautiful dances.
That Shad Suk Mynsiem
The Khasi community celebrates their thanksgiving dance every year at the Weiking Grounds in Shillong. It is called Shad Suk Mynsiem, but people also call it “Shad Phur.”
It lasts for three days and is part of the Garo Harvest Festival. It combines a traditional Khasi dance with a modern dance called the “Dance of Contentment.”
The Khasi people dress in traditional clothes and dance to the beat of drums and Langmuir lines. They pray to the collecting god for a good crop.
Nongkrem Dance
The Nongkrem Dance Festival takes place every year in Smit, which is the city of the Khyrim Syiemship and is close to Shillong. It takes place in October or November. People praise this event as a way to thank the all-powerful God for the area’s great harvest, peace, and growth.
During this dance party, the clan gives the Syiem of Khyrim, who is in charge of running the Khasi State, “Pomblang,” which means goat penance. Young men and women perform the dance, which is watched by a huge crowd.
Festival of Behdeinkhlam
In the month of July, the Behdeinkhlam Festival is held in Jowai over three days. It is a traditional Jain event that literally means destroying evil and pandemics with wooden sticks.
Men dance in the streets to the beat of drums and lines, while women cook food that brings people together and give it to the souls of their ancestors.
In every area, a tall structure called the Ratha is built to improve things. It is carried to the pool of Aitnar by 30 to 40 strong men and flooded.
Festival in the fall or before winter
Between October and November every year, Shillong’s State Tourism Department puts on this Autumn Festival. T
Shillong’s Autumn Festival is known for its fashion shows, food and wine festivals, fishing competitions, kite flying competitions, flower shows, golf competitions, music and rock festivals, and many more.
People who live in the area and tourists alike enjoy the Autumn Festival as much as they want. Shillong also has other events, such as the Strawberry Festival and the Ranikor Festival.
Average Number of Tourists in Shillong
Even though Shillong has some problems, it has been able to attract a huge number of tourists. According to the city’s travel industry office, the number of tourists increased to 100,297 in 2017.
The city also puts up a good fight against Sikkim, a city in the Himalayas that had 14.25 lakh tourists last year.
The Shillong Tourism Department says that of the 99,856 domestic tourists who came to Shillong last year, only 12051 were from outside the country.
People from their own country visited Shillong 830887 times in 2016, while people from other countries visited 8476 times. A total of 839363 tourists visited the city in 2016.
Information from the year 2000 shows that only 172,548 tourists visited the city. Since then, the city has definitely grown a lot, becoming a holiday spot for people all over the area.
Even though the number of tourists visiting the city has grown quickly since it no longer has any strikes or bandhs, tourists actually complain about a lot of problems.
We looked into places to visit in Shillong
There are a lot of tourist spots in Shillong, which is why so many people come. The information in this piece is about the tourist spots in Shillong, so make sure you read it all the way to the end.
Elephant Falls
Elephant Falls is a popular place for tourists to visit in Shillong, and it’s also one of the most famous falls in the North East state. This Elephant fall is a tourist’s dream.
Because it looks like an elephant, the British called this body of water Elephant Falls. But this stone is broken because of the earthquake in 1897.
Umiam Lake
It was built by people to make Umiam Lake in Shillong. This lake is 15 km north of Shillong, which is the capital of Meghalaya, an eastern Indian state. For people who love the beauty of environment, this lake is like paradise.
The Shillong Peak
At an elevation of 6449 feet above sea level, Shillong Peak is one of the city’s highest places and a popular site for tourists.
With the Peak Waterfalls in the background, this place gives people a breathtaking view. Birds can be seen in a beautiful way through the Salania telescope. There is fog all around this spot.
Ward’s Lake
You can find Ward’s Lake right in the middle of Shillong. It’s a popular spot for tourists, and it has a special meaning for people who come to Shillong.
The lake is man-made and ringed by lush green gardens. There is another name for this lake called Polak’s lake. It is a great place to have a picnic.
Village of Mawlynnong
People from all over the world come to Shillong to see Mawlynnong town. The town of Mavalinang in the state of Meghalaya is also known as “Gods on Garden.” This village was named the best in Asia in 2003.
A survey done in 2014 found that there were about 95 homes in this town, that all of the people who lived there were literate, and that the main crop they grew was betel nuts. It is also known as the Cleanest Village in India. Mawlinnang village is in Shillong.
The Don Bosco Museum
The Don Bosco Museum is a great place to learn about North-Eastern India all in one place when you go to Shillong.
It has a theme museum where folk costumes, handicrafts, regional art, decorations, photos, and guns are kept. The museum is a building with seven floors.
Mawsynram
One of the most beautiful places to visit in the world is Mawsynram. These places are like heaven for people who love the rain and nature. The cities of Masinram and Cherrapunji are close to each other.
The name Maasinram comes from the Khasi word “Mav,” which means “stone.” Like Sivalingam, this town is about the same size, and people come here to collect stalagmites.
Sweet Falls
One of the biggest and most beautiful waterfalls in the country is the Sweet Falls in Shillong. These cute sweet falls are about 5 km away from Happy Valley and are popular places for tourists to have picnics. That’s how high the Sweet Falls are. This waterfall’s path is full of smiles.
The Lady Hydari Park
Among the places that people come to see in Shillong, Lady Hydari Park is their best. The park is named after “Lady Hydari,” the first lady of the county.
A beautiful little zoo is another name for this big park. At Lady Hydari Park, you can see 73 types of birds and more than 100 types of snakes.
Khasi Hills
The tourist spots in Shillong are called Khasi Hills after the Khasi people who live in Meghalaya. People know the Khasi Hills as a part of the Patkai Hills chain. They are in the Garo-Khasi Range.
Which are a group of hills in the northeastern part of India that separate it from Myanmar. This site is also home to “Nongkhum Island,” which is Asia’s second-largest river island.
Falls of Nohsngithiang
There are tourist spots in Shillong that are about 4 km away from Nohshangthiang Falls Cherrapunji. The main place for tourists to go in Cherrapunji is this waterfall.
The height of this waterfall is about 1033 feet, making it one of the tallest in India. The Nohsingithiang Falls are in Meghalaya’s Mavsmai village.
Butterfly House
In Shillong, there is also a Butterfly Museum with a unique collection of vivid insects, spiders, bugs, and more. There are beautiful butterfly types from all over the world in this one-of-a-kind collection, though most of them are from Meghalaya.
The Wankhar Entomology Museum is another name for the Butterfly Museum. On the road from Shillong to Guwahati, just after going over the Mawprem tiraha, there is a sign that tells you how to get to the Butterfly Museum of Meghalaya Tourism. This museum is on private land and is made up of things that family members have collected over time.
Unknown Places in Shillong to Visit
Shillong is a well-known hill station and the capital of Meghalaya. In the whole country, this is the first hill station like this that can be seen from all four sides. There are, however, a number of beautiful places that haven’t been visited yet. Now let’s talk about those places…
The Jakrem Falls
Instead of going to Shillong, you can visit Jakrem Falls, which is a well-known sulfur hot spring. It takes about 64 kilometers to get from Shillong to the city. The people who live here like this spot for its hot springs.
Spread out Eagle Falls
There are many great places to visit in Shillong, and Spread Eagle Falls is one of them. Spread Eagle Waterfalls are in the Khasi District of Shillong, 6 km from the cantonment. They are thought to be one of the largest waterfalls in Shillong. On a trip to Shillong, you must see this well-known waterfall, also called Sati Falls or Urkaliyar.
Village of Mawphlang
For tourists, Mawphlang village is one of the best places to visit in Shillong. There are 25 km between it and Shillong, which is the capital of India’s northeastern state of Meghalaya.
The holy forest is right in the middle of this spot. This is where you should go to learn about the holy woods.
The Sohpetbneng Peak
Along with other places to visit in Shillong, Sohpetbineng is a nature spot that is 1343 meters above sea level. The word Sohpetbneng means “navel of heaven” in everyday language, which is also the name of heaven.
The Diengiei Peak
Diengiei Peak, a popular tourist spot in Shillong, is on the western side of the city. This peak is only 200 feet lower than Shillong, which is Shillong’s highest peak. Both are 6200 feet high.
About 1,000 of the heights of this hill are very steep. Rock climbing and rappelling are adventure sports that you can do here.
The Kyllang Rock
Kyllang Rock is a beautiful and unique big rock made of red granite that is good for tourists to see in Shillong. That is a huge dome set in the Meghalayan state’s West Khasi Hills.
This rock is about 5400 feet above sea level and about 1000 feet wide. People also think that this big piece of granite is part of the stories.
Shillong’s must-try foods and drinks
The food at Shillong vacation spots is very good. Do not forget to enjoy the food in Shillong if you are there. Shillong has a lot of delicious local food, like Momos, Jalebi, Tungarimbai, Jado, Donning, Chow Mein, Pineapple, Smoked Meats, Do Khalih, Pukhleen, Chilli Pork, and more. Will get it for you.
Momos:
In Shillong, there are many cafés, both on the street and in nearby restaurants, that serve fresh, hot momos with a variety of fillings. People in the area know about pork and chicken momos.
Jadoh:
You can find jadoh all over Shillong’s roads. It’s a Meghalaya gem. People often get Jadoh from Jadoh’s in Don Bosco Square or Trattoria in Police Bazaar.
Tungrymbai:
A lot of people in Shillong wait in line at neighborhood road slowdowns to get their daily fix of Tungrymbai. People in Meghalaya love this dish, which is made with old soybeans that are filled in Shillong.
Dohkhlieh is a popular pork dish that doesn’t have a set recipe. Different places in the area make it in a variety of ways.
Jalebis:
The jalebi is a popular Indian sweet item in many cities. People all over the country love this sweet treat, and Shillong is no different.
When you’re in Shillong, you don’t want to miss another loved one. Soy sauce and dark sesame seeds are used to cook pork. In Chinese food, toasted sesame seeds are often used. They really take this dish to a whole new level.
Another well-known food in Meghalaya is Pukhlein, which is made from cooked rice. Since it’s one of the few sweets that can be found in Shillong, almost every café will serve it.
Pineapples:
In Shillong, pineapples fill up well. Usually, you could find the huge Kew collection. Not only that, but it tastes great.
The food chowmein is well known in Shillong, even though it’s not from the area. It is made with egg noodles on mechanically estimated chips that are thrown away at the roads. It is spicy and hot.
Chilly Pork:
Chilly pork is one of the most well-known types. Nearby Chinese restaurants offer freshly cooked hot and crispy pork parcels at prices that are completely reasonable in the main market area.
Smoked Meats: A lot of people in the area smoke everything from pork to chicken as a regular way to cook. In Shillong, people eat smoked and flame-broiled foods when it’s cold outside.
Things to Do in Shillong
There are some beautiful places in Shillong that you should see. These are some well-known places to visit: Elephant Falls, Lady Hydari Park, and Umiam Lake.
Sailing on Umiam Lake, seeing the Nohkalikai Falls, kayaking on the Kynshi River, doing math at Dawki, and other similar things are some of the best things to do in Shillong.
Using a boat on Umiam Lake
Umiam Lake is a great place to enjoy boating. It is in Nongpoh, which is about 17 km away from Shillong. This lake is surrounded on all sides by the lush greenery of Shillong. The water is blue and clear, so you can go for a cruise without worrying about water pollution.
Going trekking in Shillong
The town does not have any trekking tracks. So, you’ll have to leave the main city to find any hiking trails. The David Scott hiking trail is one of the best ones.
Camping
Khasi Hills was also on our list of places to visit because it seemed like the best place for outdoor events in Meghalaya. Being stuck in these short camps for now adds to the dangerous situations you’ve had in the past.
This sloped area is great for hanging out outside with friends or family because it has green knolls, the smell of pine trees, and a cool climate. Even so, the Mawlynnong jungle and Dawki are also great places to be outside in Meghalaya.
Fishing in the Umiam and Dawki Rivers
Besides the beautiful Umiam pool, there are also huge groups of common and rare fish that can be seen moving with happy tones. In Meghalaya, it’s known as “fisherman’s paradise.”
One more good option for doing math in Shillong is Dawki. About 80 km away from Shillong, it is in the middle of a peaceful surroundings. The main fish that live there are catfish, golden carps, and silver carps.
Hitting the Waterfall
It’s seen as a central movement for adventurers, and people who want to join should be enthusiastic and ready to meet the demands. At Elephant Fall itself, you can be sure that you can do waterfall bouncing.
However, Sweet Falls, Spread Eagle Falls, and Crinoline Falls are all thought to be on the same level when it comes to fall bouncing.
Getting to Know the Caves
The rock caves in Shillong are a great place to go caving. Some well-known caves in Shillong are Krem Mamluh, Krem Umshyrpi, and Krem Mawsmai. The largest buckles hold information that only locals know.
Tips on What Not to Do in Shillong
Don’t throw trash out the window of your car or on the roads. It makes a bad impression on people in the area and on other travelers.
Women who are interested in exploring shouldn’t go out alone at night, but if they do, they might want to bring a friend with them.
Try not to go into a restricted or off-limits area, but if you have to, always make sure you know why you are going to the police offices.
If you are going to Meghalaya in the summer, don’t forget to bring sunscreen, an umbrella, sunglasses, and slippers.
Try not to buy specialties or goods made with animals that are in danger or under protection.
Respect the people who live in Meghalaya and be open to their habits and way of life.
When you’re shopping, watch out for salespeople and agents who are only out to trick you into buying fake goods.
People Who Travel By TravelJunction Hack
Flying is the best way to get to Meghalaya. The Umroi airport in Shillong is the closest one. You have to drive 40 km to get here. You can also take direct trips to Kolkata and Guwahati from this airport.
This state is in the hills and doesn’t have a train line. Because of this, you have to go to the Guwahati railway stop. A lot of important states and towns are linked to Guwahati by rail.
Every hour, there is a bus going to Shillong from here.
How to Get Couples to Travel
Elephant Falls is one of the most popular places for tourists to visit in Shillong, especially with a partner. One of the most well-known rivers in the North East state is this one. Tourists love Elephant Falls more than anything else. Elephant Falls is what the British called this body of water because it looks like an elephant.
Tourists’ Hack For Family
People from all over the world love to visit the Meghalaya State Museum. You can go to this museum with your family and kids. Tribal items and old texts from those times are kept in the museum.
This lovely museum is in Lychumier, inside the State Central Library building. It is well taken care of by the State Government of Meghalaya.
Get Travelers Hack For Your Friends
Dangi Peak, Shillong’s most popular tourist spot, is on the western side of the city. This is a great place for a group of friends. It is located about 6200 feet above sea level.
It’s only 200 feet shorter than Shillong at its tallest point on Dangi Peak Shillong. A lot of the outdoor sports that happen here involve rock climbing and rappelling.