Welcome to Mawlynnong, a hidden gem in Meghalaya that proves cleanliness is more than a habit โ€” it’s a way of life! ๐Ÿก๐ŸŒผ Often called โ€œGodโ€™s Own Garden,โ€ this village is not just spotless, but full of charm, nature, and local culture. ๐ŸŒฟ๐Ÿ’š

๐Ÿš— Getting There

Mawlynnong is around 80 km from Shillong โ€“ a scenic 2.5-hour drive through lush hills, waterfalls, and cloud-kissed roads. ๐ŸŒ„โ˜๏ธ
Perfect for a day trip or a quiet weekend getaway! ๐Ÿงณ

โœ… What Makes Mawlynnong Special?

๐Ÿงน Cleanest Village in Asia
Mawlynnong earned this title in 2003 thanks to the villagersโ€™ collective commitment to cleanliness. Every morning, residents sweep the streets, clean drains, and maintain gardens โ€” turning hygiene into a lifestyle.

โ™ป๏ธ Eco-Friendly & Sustainable Living
The village uses bamboo dustbins, composting pits, and locally sourced materials for housing and tourism. Plastic is strictly banned, and every household takes pride in preserving nature.

๐ŸŒธ โ€œGodโ€™s Own Gardenโ€
The entire village looks like a living garden, with flowering plants in every yard and well-kept stone paths. Itโ€™s a real-life Eden maintained by its own people.

Traditional Khasi Lifestyle
Mawlynnong is home to the Khasi tribe, one of the few matrilineal societies in the world. Property and lineage pass through the women, and you can observe their unique customs and values during your stay.

๐Ÿ‘ช Community-Driven Tourism
Tourism here is owned and operated by the villagers themselves. Homestays, guides, shops โ€” all run by locals. Your visit directly benefits the community, making it a model for responsible tourism.

  • ๐Ÿ•Š๏ธ Peace & Harmony
    With no noise pollution, very little traffic, and a tightly-knit community, Mawlynnong offers an atmosphere of peace thatโ€™s rare in todayโ€™s world.

๐ŸŒฒ Top things to do in Meghalaya

๐ŸŒฟ Walk to the Living Root Bridge (Riwai)
Just a 10โ€“15 minute walk from the village lies one of Meghalayaโ€™s famous natural wonders. These bridges are made from the aerial roots of rubber trees and can last over 100 years โ€” a testament to ancient eco-engineering.

๐Ÿ”ญ Climb the Bamboo Sky View Tower
Built entirely from bamboo, this 85-foot structure offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding forests and even Bangladeshโ€™s plains on a clear day. Perfect for sunrise or sunset photography!

๐Ÿšถโ€โ™€๏ธ Explore the Village on Foot
Stroll through neat stone pathways, admire traditional Khasi stilt houses made of bamboo and wood, and chat with friendly locals who will happily share stories about village life.

๐Ÿ› Taste Authentic Khasi Cuisine
Donโ€™t miss trying Jadoh (rice cooked with pork or chicken), doh-nei-iong (meat in black sesame sauce), bamboo shoot dishes, and fresh garden produce โ€” all served with warm Khasi hospitality.

  • ๐ŸŒง๏ธ Visit During Monsoonย 
    The rains turn the village into a lush, green paradise. While it can be wet and slippery, the misty trails and blooming flora make for an enchanting experience โ€” just pack good shoes and a raincoat!

๐Ÿšถโ€โ™‚๏ธ How to Reach Meghalaya

  • โœˆ๏ธ By Air

    โžก๏ธ The nearest airport to Meghalaya is Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU) in Guwahati, Assam โ€“ approximately 120 km from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya.

    โœ… Direct Flights Available From:

    • ๐Ÿ™๏ธ Delhi
    • ๐Ÿ™๏ธ Mumbai
    • ๐Ÿ™๏ธ Kolkata
    • ๐Ÿ™๏ธ Bengaluru
    • ๐Ÿ™๏ธ Chennai

    ๐Ÿš– From Guwahati Airport to Shillong:

    • Private Taxi: โ‚น2,500 โ€“ โ‚น3,500 (approx. 3โ€“4 hours) ๐Ÿš•
    • Shared Taxi: โ‚น500 โ€“ โ‚น700 per person ๐Ÿš
    • State Transport Bus: โ‚น150 โ€“ โ‚น300 per person ๐ŸšŒ

    ๐Ÿ‘‰ Tip: Prepaid taxis are available at the airport โ€“ safest and most comfortable option!


    ๐Ÿš† By Train

    โžก๏ธ Meghalaya does not have a railway station. The nearest major railhead is Guwahati Railway Station (GHY), about 100 km from Shillong.

    โœ… Trains to Guwahati Available From:

    • ๐Ÿ™๏ธ Delhi (Rajdhani Express)
    • ๐Ÿ™๏ธ Kolkata (Saraighat Express)
    • ๐Ÿ™๏ธ Mumbai (LTT Guwahati Express)
    • ๐Ÿ™๏ธ Chennai (Dibrugarh Express)
    • ๐Ÿ™๏ธ Bengaluru (Guwahati Express)

    ๐Ÿš– From Guwahati Station to Shillong:

    • Private Taxi: โ‚น2,000 โ€“ โ‚น3,000 (approx. 3 hours) ๐Ÿš–
    • Shared Taxi: โ‚น400 โ€“ โ‚น600 per person ๐Ÿš
    • State Bus: โ‚น150 โ€“ โ‚น300 ๐ŸšŒ

    ๐Ÿ‘‰ Tip: Taxis and shared cabs are easily available outside the station.


    ๐ŸšŒ By Road

    โžก๏ธ Meghalaya is well-connected to Assam and neighboring northeastern states by road. The roads are scenic, with lush green hills and misty valleys. ๐ŸŒฟ

    โœ… Road Routes to Meghalaya:

    • From Guwahati to Shillong: 100 km (3 hours) via NH6 ๐Ÿ›ฃ๏ธ
    • From Kaziranga to Shillong: 260 km (6 hours) via NH27 ๐ŸŒ„
    • From Siliguri to Shillong: 560 km (12 hours) via NH27 ๐Ÿš—

    ๐Ÿš Options:

    • State Transport Buses: Affordable but slow
    • Private Buses (Volvo, AC): Comfortable and faster
    • Shared Cabs: Convenient for small groups

    ๐Ÿ‘‰ Tip: Take a window seat โ€“ the views along the road are breathtaking! ๐ŸŒฒ


    ๐Ÿš™ Self-Drive

    • โœ… Well-maintained roads โ€“ but expect sharp bends and hilly terrain
    • โœ… Fuel stations available along the route
    • โœ… Rent a car from Guwahati if you prefer driving yourself

    ๐Ÿ‘‰ Tip: Start early to avoid foggy weather, especially in the mornings. ๐ŸŒซ๏ธ

Where to Stay in Meghalaya

Meghalaya offers a range of accommodations, from luxury resorts to budget-friendly lodges. Some popular options include:

Luxury

  • Polo Orchid Resort
  • Abode of Clouds Resort

Eco-luxury

  • Cherrapunjee Holiday Resort

Mid-range

  • Serene Homestay

Budget-friendly

  • Odyssey Stays Nongriat

Final Thoughts

โœจ Why Meghalaya’s Living Root Bridges Are Special

The root bridges of Meghalaya are more than just natural structures โ€“ they are symbols of sustainability and cultural heritage. Built over generations, these bridges reflect the deep-rooted connection between the Khasi and Jaintia tribes and their natural surroundings. In an age of concrete and steel, these bridges remind us that the strongest structures are often those created in harmony with nature.


“Bridges connect places. Meghalaya’s root bridges connect generations.” ๐ŸŒฟ

Plan Your Meghalaya Trip with Us! ๐Ÿ“ž๐Ÿ›ถ

For bookings and inquiries, contact us:
๐Ÿ“ฒ Call/WhatsApp: +91 7044073097 / 9435733097
๐Ÿ“ง Email: enquiry@holidayeyes.co.in
๐ŸŒ Website: www.holidayeyes.co.in

Letโ€™s make your Meghalaya adventure unforgettable! ๐ŸŒฟ๐Ÿฆ๐Ÿš™