Mawlynnong (Meghalaya) - Homestays, Village, Things To Do

The Northeast part of India is a treasure of our motherland. The seven sisters reward the visitors with wonderful views of the most beautiful landscapes on earth.

The waterfalls, lakes, valleys, streams, and quaint villages altogether make a lovely combo to satisfy the thirst for wanderlust.

Among all the tourist attractions Mawlynnong near Shillong is one of the most popular tourist attractions that people long to visit.

It is known as the “Asia’s Cleanest Village”.

Spending a wonderful holiday in the laps of nature can be equally relaxing.

In this article, you will get to know about the following points about Mawlynnong,

How to reach
Places to visit
Things to do
Best time to visit
Places to stay

Let’s see each of these points in detail…

How to reach Mawlynnong

Mawlynnong is located in the East Khasi hills. It is well-connected to Shillong by road.

The road route from Guwahati to Mawlynnong via Shillong is wonderful with several winding loops and bends surrounded by lush green hillocks and misty landscapes.

You can reach Mawlynnong directly via roadways.

The Shillong Airport, also known as Umroi Airport, is the closest airport and is situated in the main city of Shillong.

There are direct flights to Shillong from all throughout the nation, as well as connecting flights to the city.

After you disembark from the flight, you can reach Mawlynnong via cabs.

The Distance from Shillong to Mawlynnong is approximately 78 km and it takes 2 hours and 25 minutes by road.

You can take a cab from Guwahati or Shillong to reach Mawlynnong.

The road view from Shillong to Mawlynnong will take you through spots like Shillong View Point (also called Shillong Peak), Elephant Falls, Laitlyngkot, and Pynursla.

GOOGLE MAP LOCATION

Places to visit in Mawlynnong

There are a few places in and around Mawlynnong that you can visit. These include,

1. Mawlynnong Village

Mawlynnong is known as an eco-friendly village. It has about 82-85 households.

The magical aura of the village creates a mesmerizing effect that leaves an everlasting effect in the minds of visitors.

The concept of community-based eco-tourism seems to have sprung up from this village.

Most importantly, women’s empowerment and the literacy rate of villagers are the supreme features of this village.

Notable for its cleanliness, the village uses eco-friendly bamboo bins to throw litter!

Imagine the level of cleanliness they maintain and how carefully nature is preserved in its most pristine form in their hands!

Tidying up is the strict ritual that is followed by everyone in this village.

Smoking is strictly prohibited here and the use of plastics is banned.

Now that you have got a clear-cut concept about how to clean Mawlynnong, let’s talk a little about their prime occupation.

Cultivation of betel nut is the main occupation of the villagers in Mawlynnong.

Along with betel nuts, jackfruit, and pineapple is also grown.

Honey collection, handicrafts, mining, and construction are also practiced by people here.

2. Living Root Bridge

The iconic “Living Root Bridge” is one of the popular locations in Meghalaya for which people specially visit Mawlynnong.

It is no less than a natural architectural marvel.

The Ficus Elastica tree’s roots were wrapped around a support structure to form the bridge.

These living root bridges which have been associated with the Khasi Community were significantly known for connecting the villages in the highlands and steep valleys with one another.

This bridge was also known for various trade purposes. The intriguing bridge is constructed in symbiosis with nature and is strengthening its bonds with the earth as they are gradually growing older.

The single-decker root bridge of Riwai is almost 300 years old which makes its presence all over the streams.

The roots grow intertwining the aerial roots of Rubber trees and a betel tree trunk is further strengthened by bamboo, leaves, and stones.

3. Church Of Ephiphany

Church Of Ephiphany is a century-old church located near Mawlynnong. It was built in 1902 by Welsh Christian Missionaries from Bangladesh.

You can visit here to experience solace.

Other nearby places that you can visit from Mawlynnong are Dawki, Shillong, Byrdaw falls, Kudengrim, and Pynursla.

Make sure to visit these ideal places and experience the heavenly beauty of the place. It usually takes 1-2 days to visit the best places around the lovely village.

Things to do in Mawlynnong

There are a lot of things that you can do in Mawlynnong. This includes,

Stroll around the gardens and fruit orchids and take lovely shots.
Mingle with the local Khasi community to know more about the history of this quaint and picturesque village.
Admire the verdant tropical paradise and the alluring streams.
Take a refreshing dip in the gushing and cooling water of the rivers.
Hike through the narrow roads of the forests and explore the wild beauty of the mountains.
Visit the rock formations to get a panoramic view of Bangladesh.
Have a new experience while trekking through the living root bridges.
Click photographs in the internetwork of bamboo structures.
Feel the spiritual ambiance in the Church of Ephiphany as well as keep yourself soaked in the natural beauty around it.
Have a glimpse of the Balancing Rock.
Visit the skywalk to have a breathing view of the landscapes of Mawlynnong.
Shop local handmade products and souvenirs from the market.
Visit the tree house and viewpoints and capture adorable pictures of the Umngot River.
Arrange for a picnic in the nearby waterfalls.
Explore the mysteries of limestone caverns.
Enjoy the most popular delicacies of Mawlynnong- Jadoh, Pumalai, Pukhlen, Doh Khlieh, Kyat, and many such.

Best time to visit Mawlynnong

All year round, Mawlynnong enjoys cool, pleasant weather.

However, the ideal time to visit Mawlynnong is from June to November.

The flowers blossom during this time of year, and the surroundings become quite vivid.

You can also Visit Mawlynnong from September to December when the renowned Nongkrem Dance Festival and Wangala festival take place.

Mawlynnong is also a perfect destination if you are searching for a wonderful summer retreat in North East. During the summer months of March to June, the weather here is neither too hot nor too cold.

The months of August through October are Mawlynnong’s busiest travel months, drawing in a sizable number of visitors to experience the beauty of this place.

Places to stay in Mawlynnong

You can get a number of staying options in and around Mawlynnong.

Homestays

Although there are no hotels in Mawlynnong, several residents offer various homestays at reasonable prices.

These Homestays offer an amicable ambiance as the local people offer local home-cooked food and comfortable staying options with a pleasant garden view.

Embers Homestay and Pumpkin Hala Rympei Homestay are a few of them.

Resorts

There are also many resorts where you can find comfy accommodations.

Betel Nut Resort and Polo Orchid Resort is the perfect abode to soothe your soul in Mawlynnong. You can easily visit this eco-village from this resort.

You can also overlook the extensively spread green carpet-like meadows from the balconies.

The services of the resorts are extremely well.

You can avail Delux suites, cottages, and rooms in the resort. These resorts are also popular choices for visitors.

Camping

Another way to experience the surreal beauty of nature is by camping amidst nature.

Campsites will not only provide leisure abodes for families and couples but also will provide fresh outdoor meals.

The sheer natural appearance of this village will transport your soul and heart from the chaotic mundane world to a whole different world full of life.

The unmatched beauty and charm of the village will impress you in every possible way.

Once you are at Mawlynnong, you can feel the essence of the freshness of nature and cleanliness in every nook and corner of this place.

Some of the islands have been commercialized and developed as major tourist destinations, but the majority are uninhabited and thus perfect examples of untamed nature.

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