Shillong the capital of the North-Eastern state of Meghalaya, is also nicknamed as the Scotland of the East due to the similarity in the climate and surroundings. The hill town is situated at an elevation of 1,525 meters above sea level amidst the Himalayan foothills of the Pataki range.
The exciting mountain peaks, crystal clear lakes, breathtakingly beautiful golf courses, museums and the zoo are the key reasons why people visit Shillong. Apart from the natural beauty, Shillong also acts as the gateway to Meghalaya, the state famous for heavy rainfalls, caving, tallest waterfalls, beautiful landscapes and amazing people and culture.
Shillong in particular has been in limelight for its jovial people and their culture. Interestingly, Shillong has a very westernized culture and it has a very young feel to it. Shillong is also famous as the music capital of India, as many prominent musicians have hailed from this place. Many music events keep happening throughout the year, making it a very lively place.
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Shillong has pleasant climate through the year and can be visited at any time. Here’s a seasonal break-up through the months so you can plan your trip better:
Summer - March to June:
Summers are overall mild and a good time to plan a trip in Shillong with the temperature ranging from a maximum of 24°C to a minimum of 15°C. This is the perfect time to plan sightseeing and adventure activities.
Monsoon - June to September:
Monsoon months see average to heavy rainfalls in Shillong. This is a great time to visit the waterfalls and enjoy the gorgeous rain-washed vistas of the region. July is the wettest month in Shillong.
Winter - October to February:
October is when the rainfall stops, and the weather begins to cool down. Winters start setting in from November after which the weather can be quite cold with the minimum temperature going as low as 2°C. The town looks beautiful in the chilly months and is a good time to indulge in outdoor activities.
Being the capital city of the state of Meghalaya, Shillong is easily accessible via roads. The nearest airport is located within the city and can be easily reached by buses and taxis. But due to the large number of flight cancellations due to the weather condition it is always better to consider the nearby airport in Guwahati, the state capital of Assam which is in close proximity to Shillong. There are no railway lines in Meghalaya and the nearest railway station to Shillong is again in the town of Guwahati. One can reach Shillong by taking a bus from the Guwahati bus station or hiring a taxi.
Shillong is a popular retreat for several tourists who find the tropical highland climate a drastic departure from the humid climate of the lower lying regions.
Image Credit: Thrillophilia
Please Note: Any information picked from here must be attributed to skymetweather.com
