GENERAL INFORMATION
Meghalaya is bounded on the North by Goalpara, Kamrup and Nowgong districts of Assam, on the East by Karbi Anglong and North Cachar Hills Districts of Assam, and on the South and West by Bangladesh. It is one of the country’s newest states with its capital at Shillong. For long a summer retreat of the British, the beautifully kept golf course and several English country cottages testify to another influence besides the local one. Beautiful lakes and falls, hillside cottages, a large university, and the popular Bara Bazar are quaint aspects of this town.The Meghalayan Panorama has every bit been carved out by the hands of nature and none can do better than the Creator HimselfNature has blessed her with abundant rainfall, smiling sun-shine, dark virgin forests, high plateaus, tumbling waterfalls, crystal rivers, dreamy streamlets.

TOURISM IN MEGHALAYA
The refreshing mountain air, the whispering pines, the babbling streams, the hospitable atmosphere, the pleasant climatic condition and exotic flora and fauna gives the tourist to Meghalaya, tremendous value for money. The place, the people and the climate all combine to create an atmosphere to make Meghalaya an ideal holiday destination throughout the year. Ward Lake, Botanical Garden & Museum, Meghalaya State Museum, Lady Hydari Park & Mini Zoo, Crinoline Falls & Swimming Pool, Wei Tdem (Sweet Falls), Shillong Peak, Elephanta Falls, Arunachal Pradesh Museum, Iewduh Bara Bazar, Butterfly Museum, Bishop & Beadon Falls, Shillong Golf Course, Polo Grounds, Umian Lake and many more other attractive destinations make Meghalaya a wonderful paradise for the travelers from all over the world.

PLACES OF TOURIST INTEREST Shillong Peak:    An ideal picnic spot, 1965 metres above sea level and 10 kms from the city, offers a panoramic view of these country side, and is also the highest point in the State. Obeisance is paid to U Shulong at the sanctum at the peak's summit every springtime, by the religious priest of Mylliem State. In the evening the city lights below appear like a star-studded abyss.

Sohpetbneng Peak:    1,343 meter, 20 Kms from Shillong, regarded as sacred by the Hynniewtrep people, is set amidst a beautiful scenic view against the backdrop of a sacred forest. This 'Navel of Heaven' as per Khasi mythology is a heavenly peak, which offers to fill the spiritual void and emptiness, to those who seek and desire solace and peace of mind.

Ward's Lake:     Ward's Lake is century old picturesque lake also known as Polok Lake. Located in the heart of the city, popular for short garden walks and boating. The local people however prefer to call it Nan Polok (Polok's Lake) after an executive engineer named Mr. Pollock. It has a most pleasant, winding walk-a-way all around its parameter set in cobbled sand stones, in the midst of picturesque, rolling flower beds and fairyland lighting. The lake has a striking arched bridge over it.

Botanical Garden:    A secluded but captivating spot with a plethora of indigenous and exotic plants and is located just below the Ward's Lake. It also houses a mini-aviary with rare and colourful species of birds. The secluded setting of the Botanical Garden with its well-laid paved walks makes it a favourite resort for city dwellers as well as tourists who desire to exercise their limbs.
Lady Hydari Park:  Lady Hydari Park, stretching over a km is replete with roses and blossoms of exquisite hues and colours, is a feast to eyes. Owes its existence to Lady Hydari, the wife of an erstwhile Governor of Assam. It has an excellent mini zoo cum deer park.

Golf Course:  Shillong Golf Course is considered to be the "Glen-eagle of the East" at the United States Golf Association Museum. The site where the Golf Course is located provides a scenic view. It was set in an undulating valley covered with thick groves of pine and rhododendron trees at an altitude of 5200 ft in 1898 as a 9 (nine) hole course and later converted into a 18 (eighteen) hole course in 1924 by Captain Jackson and C. K. Rhodes.

State Museum:  The State Museum is located in the state central library premises with a good collection ofartifacts of North Eastern India in general and Meghalaya in particular.

Shillong Cathedral:  As if to justify the desire of the British founding fathers of the city of Shillong to make it a little England, churches and cathedrals, large and small, have come up everywhere in the city. Some of these churches and cathedrals are so spacious and large that they can be easily accommodate a few thousand worshippers, at a time. Among such large churches of Shillong, mention can be made of the Shillong Cathedral, the Mawkhar Presbyterian Church, the jaiaw Presbyterian Church, the Laitumkhrah Presbyterian Church and the All Saints' Cathedral, as prominant landmarks of the City.

Churches of Shillong - a measure of the religiosity of the Shillongites

Diengiei Peak:  Located to the west of the Shillong plateau, Diengiei Peak is just two hundred feet lower than Shillong peak. The peak presents a spectacular view of green mountainous hills. The captivating hills are dotted with tiny shining villages. Diengiei Peak is accessible by the Umiam-Union Christian College-Mawmaram motorable road which takes off from National Highway-40 at Umiam. Atop Diengiei, a visitor is greeted with a commanding view of the Umiam lake with the city of Shillong in the background. On the top of Diengiei, there is a huge hollow, shaped like a cup, which some geologists believe could be the crater of an extinct pre-historic volcano.

Umiam Water Sports Complex:       The Water Sports Complex has been developed upon the mighty reservoir of the Umiam Hydro Electric Project, at Umiam, 16 kilometres before reaching Shillong. The campus consists of a beautiful Orchid Lake Resort, the Nehru Park. Besides it offers a wide choice of exciting water sports activities with row-boats, paddle-boats, cruise-boats, sailing-boats, water-scooters, speed-boats and a floating restaurant with ferry service

Kyllang Rock:      Located about eleven kilometres off Mairang, is a steep dome of red granite rising to an elevation of about five thousand and four hundred feet above sea level. According to geologists, the hard red granite rock is several million years old. The rock is accessible from its northern and eastern flanks, but inaccessible from its southern flank where its slope exceeds 800 over an incline of about six hundred feet. The southern side of Kyllang Rock is encumbered with enormous detached blocks of rock, while its northern side is clothed with dense forests, containing age-old red Rhododendron trees and oaks besides bushy, white Rhododendron trees which are not found elsewhere.

Natures own Museum - Sacred Forest Mawphlang: Only 4 km from Shillong, close to almost all large Khasi and Jaintia villages of yore, one finds a Forest-Grove variedly known as Ki Law Kyntang (Sacred forest), Ki Law Adong (Prohibited forest), Ki Law Shnong (Village forest) and Ki Law Kynti (Private forest).

Cherrapunjee (Sohra):   Better known as Sohra, Cherrapunjee is one of the most visited tourist spots of North Eastern India. Situated 56 Kms from Shillong and 1300 metres above sea level, known all over the world as the rainiest place on the planet. A pleasant drive to see roaring water falls leaping into deep gorges, including the famous Nohsngithiang falls is certainly an ever memorable visual treat. The lovely town is also famous for its limestone caves, orange, honey, a headquarter of the Syiem of Sohra and a Centre of the Khasi Culture and literature. The oldest Theological College in this region is located here, established by the Welsh Presbyterian Missionaries in 1888, known as Cherrapunjee Theological College. Extensive limestone caves abound, with a large number of stalagmites and stalactites inside, the full length and breadth of the caves has not been adequately explored. In addition, the natural beauty is complemented by springs and sacred forests.

CUISINE
The People of Meghalaya are basically non-vegetarian and love meat . A spicy dish of rice and pork is eaten almost any time. Various traditional fermented foods and beverages is very common among the men and women.

CLIMATE The climate of Meghalaya is  varies  according to the altitude. Hill stations of  Meghalaya  are  uniquely pleasant and bracing. They are  neither too warm in summer and  nor too cold in winter. Generally the climate of Meghalaya can be divided into four seasons they are Summer srason  March to May,     Rainy season  May last  to October, Cool season October last to December first week and Winter season December to February.

State Capital                            Shillong
Area Covered                          22,429sqkm
Languages                               Khasi, Garo, English
Best time to Visit                    October to mid March