This pleasant hill station, standing at 1496 metres, is renowned for its climate and breathtaking views; it's even had the label Scotland of the East' applied to it! Around town you can pass the time observing the tiny red-light district behind the Delhi Hotel, as there's not a lot to do apart from pass through.

The people around Shillong, the Khasias, have a matrilineal socia organisation. passing down property and wealth through the femalre rather than the male line.

Things to See

The State Museum covers to flora, flauna, culture and anthropology of the sate. The town has a number of parks and gardens. The Crinoline Waterfaslls are neary Lady Hydari Park, there are virious other waterfalls around Shillong. The town takes its name form the 1960 metre-high Shillong Peak, form which there are fine views. It's 10 km for the centre.

The Anglican graveyard and All Saints Cathedral may be of interest to fans of  the Raj the gravestones have inscriptions uch as killed in the great earthquake or murdered by headhunters.

Place to Stay & Eat:

There's a good tourist bungalow near the polo grounds with rooms and dormitory accommodation. There are many other middle-priced hotels around. and cheap accommodation can be found in the Police Bazaar near the tourist office.

Getting There & Away

A good road runs the 100km from Guwahati in Assam to Shillong.Cherrapunji is 58 km sough of Shillong, at there are daily buses; if it's not raning the views from here over Bangaladesh are ssuperb. Permissions is required from theCommissionesr fo Police to visit the area.

Coming form Bangladesh, you cross the border at Dawki, form where it's a 1.5 km walk to the town and then a 31/2-hour trip to Shillong.