Experience Meghalaya: Top Things To Do

Meghalaya is located in the northeast of India. The state is famous for its natural beauty, picturesque landscape and warm-hearted people. The small town of Cherapunji in Meghalaya receives the highest number of rainfall in the world.  Shillong the capital of Meghalaya once served as the summer retreat for the Britishers during the colonial era. You can clearly witness the British influence in the architecture of the local monuments in Shillong. Meghalaya is also home to the cleanest village in the world. Located between the border of Bangladesh and India, Mawlynnong is the cleanest village in the world.

Let’s keep this one simple – we’ll share our recommendations of places to visit followed by the local dishes you can try.

Places to Visit in Meghalaya

Here is a list of places to visit in Meghalaya: -

Umiam Lake

The Umiam Lake is located 15 kilometres from Shillong. The lake is surrounded by lush green mountains making it a perfect spot for nature lovers. If you are looking for Meghalaya sightseeing options then Umiam Lake is the spot for you. The lake is also famous for its sunrise you will have to wake up early to witness the spectacular view of the sun rising above the mountains. The lake is nestled amidst lush green forests making it a perfect picnic spot for the tourists. You can also go on a boat ride and enjoy the peace and tranquility that the lake has to offer to all its visitors.

Double Decker Living Root Bridge

The famous double decker bridge can be found in Cherrapunji. The bridge is made out of rubber trees and is located at a height of 2400 ft. What’s more, it is almost 3 kilometres long! The sheer size of the bridge has turned it into a popular tourist attraction. Tourists from all over the world visit Cherrapunji to witness this engineering marvel created by Mother Nature. Make sure that it is part of your Meghalaya tour itinerary.

Elephant Falls

The famous waterfall was named after a stone near the waterfall that looked like an elephant. The waterfall is one of the most popular Meghalaya tourist attractions located a short distance from Shillong. The waterfall gets divided into three parts as it makes its way down the mountain. The milky white water flowing down the mountain offers a surreal view for the visitors. The waterfall is surrounded by lush green mountains making it a perfect place for trekking.

Shillong Peak

The Shillong peak gives a panoramic view of the city. It is the highest point in Shillong located at a height of 6449 ft. The peak also has religious significance to the local Khasi tribe who believe that the deity residing in the peak protects Shillong from natural calamities. The peak is also quite popular among trekkers who can be seen making their way to the top whenever you visit the peak. The peak also has a telescope at the top which gives you a better view of the surrounding landscape. It is one of the most popular things to do in Meghalaya.

Dawki

Dawki is a small trader town located between the border of India and Bangladesh. Dawki is a popular tourist destination tourists mostly visit the town for a boat ride on the famous Umngot river. The main attraction is the annual boat ridding competition that takes place in the Umngot River. The small town is famous for its natural beauty and lush green mountains.

Food To Savour in Meghalaya

India’s diverse landscape is such that you can easily find a wide variety of dishes depending on where you are at that point in time. Similarly, in Meghalaya, you can also find mouth-watering dishes that are unique to the region. The cuisine in Meghalaya is heavily influenced by the cooking style of different communities that live here such as Khasi, Garo and Jaintia. Here is a list of famous foods in Meghalaya that you must taste:

Jadoh

The Jadoh is a dish that is mostly cooked by the Khasi community. The dish consists of pork and rice along with some green vegetables. There are different varieties of the dish in which sometimes instead of the pork you might also find fish. The dish is full of flavours and will certainly satiate your appetite after a long day of sightseeing.

Nakham Bitchi

Nakham Bitchi is a popular dish in Meghalaya. You will find people enjoying this mouth-watering dish in every house in Meghalaya. The dish is made up of fish and green vegetables. The dish is basically cooked by boiling the fish along with the green vegetables until it is cooked in its own juices. It is a very healthy dish and it will definitely give you the energy you need to travel the hilly terrain.

Dokhlieh

Dokhlieh is a simple yet delicious dish. Dokhlieh is quite popular among the Khasi community. The dish is made up of boiled pieces of pork mixed with some onions, red chillies and spices. It is easy to make and is served along with some refreshing beverages.

Pumaloi

Pumaloi is among the most popular dishes in the Khasi community. It is basically steamed rice that can be eaten any time of the day breakfast, lunch or dinner. The locals often eat the rice dish along with some spices.

Bamboo Shoots

Bamboo Shoots is another favourite dish of the Khasi community. The Bamboo Shoots are mostly eaten with some fried pork marinated in soy sauce. The Bamboo Shoots are cooked with some ginger, garlic and onions along with some salt and pepper.

Meghalaya is famous for its lush green mountains and waterfalls. The unique tribal culture of Meghalaya allows you to witness a completely different lifestyle than what we are us to in metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru. Along with that, there are plenty of things to see in Meghalaya. If it happens to be your first trip together, make sure you book Veena World’s Meghalaya honeymoon package to have a memorable experience when here.