Meghalaya: A domain Of Clouds and hills

Bangladesh is a land of salient natural beauty. The nature lovers already visited all the well-known places of their own country and thinking to go abroad cheaply to explore the nature, can choose Meghalaya, a North-Eastern state of India which has land border with Sylhet and Mymensingh region. Shillong, the capital city of Meghalaya is commonly known as ‘Scotland of the East’ for its eye-catching hilly landscape and cool weather.

It is situated at an altitude of about 1,500 meters above the sea level. Cherapunjee, the place of most rainfall in the world is also located in Meghalaya state. The geographical structure of the state is very similar to Darjeeling of West Bengal, Gangtok of Sikkim and Shimla of Himachal Pradesh. But visiting Meghalaya is cheaper than the two other places. Bounded with lash green forests, hilly terrains, beautiful lakes, river valleys and exotic wildlife species, the monsoonal beauties of Meghalaya is worth cherishing.

How to go

If you would like to visit Meghalaya, you have to go Sylhet first by plane, train or bus. A good number of residential hotels and resorts are available here for overnight stay. You can hire a car or microbus for going Tamabil Check-post, about 54 kilometers away from Sylhet. You should wake-up early in the morning and start your journey to Tamabil after taking breakfast. It will take about 45 minutes to reach Tamabil. Then you should start the customs and immigration formalities as soon as you can. You will reach at the Indian Customs and Immigration office just after crossing the zero line. The will-equipped office will finish the formalities earlier than those of Bangladesh. Then you can hire a taxi for going Dawki, a small frontier market about 2 kilometers away from Tamabil. You have to hire a car or jeep there for a smooth journey to Shillong. 2,500 / 3,000 Indian Rupee would be the fare of a car. But a jeep will be needed if you go as a group and fare would be 3,500 / 4,000 Rupee. Public transport is also available but the vehicles are not comfortable. You should start your journey within 12:00 noon local time because, vehicles are almost unavailable at Dawki-Shillong road after sunset due to security reason. Shillong is about 83 kilometers away from Dawki and it will take about two and half an hours to reach there. If the sky remains clear, you will really enjoy the journey. Because both sides of the road are covered by lash green hills, waterfalls and stones of gigantic size. You will find clouds are crossing your vehicle just after 20 minutes of your journey. You will cross just two markets during your journey. One is Pynursla and another is Lailingkat. But it will be sensible to avoid taking food or drink there.

After arrival in Shillong

It will be sagacious for you if you reserve a hotel room in Shillong through internet before leaving Bangladesh. Most of the cheaper hotels are located at Police Bazar, the heart of the city. Hotel Centre Point, Hotel Mikasa, Hotel J.K. International, Hotel Boulvard, Eden Residency, Hotel Embassy, Hotel Pine Borough, Hotel Broadway etc. are well-known hotels at Police Bazar. The renowned hotels outside Police Bazar are Hotel Pinewood, Hotel Orchid, Hotel Polo Towers, Hotel Pegasus Crown, Hotel Alpine Continental, The Majestic Hotel, Ashutosh Inn, Hotel Yalana, etc. You can take help from the reception desk of your hotel for converting US Dollar into Indian Rupee. Many hotels provide package tour facility to the attractive places of the city at cheap rate. You have to stay at least two days in Shillong if you want to see all the attractive places inside and outside the city.

Popular destinations

Shillong Peak and Sohpetbneng Peak

The peaks are located 10 kilometres and 20 kilometres away from the Shillong city respectively. Shillong Peak is the highest point in Meghalaya with a height of 1,961 metres above the sea level. Magnificent landscape with lash green forests made it an ideal tourist spot. You can see the whole Shillong city from there with a bird’s eye view. The Sohpetbneng Peak is situated at a height of 1,343 meteres above the sea level. The peak is regarded at a place of religious importance for the tribes of Khasi, Jainita and Bhoi. It is a perfect place for those who are in a search of solace.

Ward’s Lake and Umiam Lake

Ward’s Lake is an artificial lake located in the Shillong city. It is also known as ‘Nan Polok’ or ‘Polok Lake’. Colorful flowers and pine trees are the major attractions of this 100 years old lake. Umiam Lake is situated 17 kilometers away from Shillong. Another name of this lake is ‘Boropani’. It is an ideal spot for watersport enthusiasts with facilities of sailing, boating, skiing and many more.

Waterfalls

Sweet Fslls is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Meghalaya situated in the Happy Valley. Rengthiam Fall is another cascading waterfall situated at a distance of 15 kilometres from Shillong. Bishop and Beadon falls are two other very glistening waterfalls located in Suna Vally. Elephant Falls and Spread Eagle Falls are other sparkling waterfalls in Meghalaya known for glittering charm and serene atmosphere.

Parks

There are very conspicuous parks spread throughout the whole state of Meghalaya. But most of the tourists gather at Lady Haydari Park inside Shillong city. The park has been named after Haydary, the wife of Governor of Assam state. The area of the park is spread over more than one kilometer. You will find a mini zoo in the park where you can see birds of 73 species, amphibians of 140 species, Bear, Leopard other wild animals. Besides, a huge number of flowers and eye-catching trees are also available there. The other notable parks in Meghalaya are Tangkharang Park and Eco Park of Cherapunji, Neheru Park, Kharasati Park and Thrills Fun Park of Ri Bhoi district and Lalong Park and Looksi (Kulpi) Park of Jaintia Hills district.

Shillong Golf Course

Shillong Golf Course is one of the oldest and best natural golf courses in the world. It is considered to be the ‘Gleneagle in the East’ by the United States Golf Association and Museum. Developed in 1889 as a nine holes Course, it was later converted to eighteen holes in 1924 by Captain Jackson and C.K.Rhodes. It is set in an undulating valley covered with thick groves of pine and rhododendron trees at an altitude of 5,300 feet. It is the third oldest Golf Course in India and was first surveyed in 1933.

Cherapunji

Cherapunji is located at a distance of 60 kilometres from Shillong. Situated an ultitude of 4,500 feet above the sea level, it is popularly known as the wettest place in the world. It has been named in the Gunnies Book of World Records for being a place where a year-round of rainfall is measured. Wonderful valleys and rivers increase the charm of Cherapunji. This place can be visited throughout the year. You can go to Cherapunji by car or bus in the morning and come back in Shillong in the afternoon. If you want to see all the illustrious places ornately, you can stay one or two night at Cherapunji. Cherapuni Holiday Resort, Sa-l-Mika Park, Coniferous Resort, Polo Orchid Resort, Sohra Plaza, Halari Restaurant & Lodging etc. are always ready to provide you warm hospitality.

Caves

Cavers of Khasi hills, Garo Hills and Jaintia Hills are the special attractions for tourists visiting Meghalaya. Mawsmai Cave, Krem Mowmluh and Krem Dem are the notable caves of Khasi Hills. Caves of Jaintia Hills include Krem Kotsati and The Cave of Eocene age which are dark and scary too. Bok Bak Dobhakol, Siju-Dobhakol and Terengkol-Balwakol caves are some of the longest and intricate caves of Garo Hills.

Some necessary tips for travellers

You can visit Meghalaya either by own management or by taking help of a reliable tour operator. If you select the second way, you don’t need to think too much about visa formalities, transportation and accommodation. Despite they charge some extra money, your tour will be safer and you will enjoy company of educated and smart tourist guide. But if you decide to go through personal arrangement, you have to be more watchful. Bargain fittingly before reserving hotel room and hiring taxi. Don’t linger outside your hotel after sunset without prerequisite because Shillong isn’t very safe at night. Try to purchase some Indian Rupees when you will convert your Taka into US Dollar in Bangladesh because, there is no recognized money exchange at Dawki. You must pay travel tax at Sonali Bank before going Tamabil check-post. March to October, particularly March-April and September-October is the ideal time to visit Meghalaya. Try to avoid traveling November to February because, weather becomes chilly and foggy in this time.

Saifur Rahman Tuheen: freelance journalist and travel writer.
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