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Waterfalls: Another way to describe Shillong would be to call it the City of Falls. Subjectto the vagaries of the monsoon, Shillong is never short of waterfalls that break the silenceof the surrounding hills. Some of these must-see waterfalls are:

Bara Bazaar / Iewduh Market: Shillong’s main wholesale market, locally known as Iewduh, is a fascinating place for foreign visitors. It is the commercial heartbeat of Shillong, selling everything from vegetables to hardware, live chickens to blankets.  Traffic is not allowed in the market area; taxis and vehicles must stop at the periphery.

Police Bazaar: Adjacent to the Iewduh Market is Police Bazaar, which has garment shops and book stores, and small shopping complexes that sell cheap Chinese and Thai goods. Many of the bigger garment stores are, surprisingly, owned not by the local Khasis, but by migrant Rajasthani Marwaris who migrated to Shillong decades ago.

Archery Competitions: Archery in Shillong is an age-old tribal skill in a new guise – the archery contest takes place everyday in Polo Grounds, about 3 km from the city center. It is quite a commercialized activity, with betting booths lining one side of the field, and bamboo framed shacks offering both branded ingeniously brewed fiery liquor on the other. The atmosphere at the contest is very charged, much like a horseracing meet, with bookies and gamblers exchanging money, groups discussing the odds, and contestants gingerly fingering the tips of their arrows. The bows (straight not cross) and arrows are all handmade locally.

Shillong Golf Course: Shillong has one of the largest golf courses in Asia, not to mention one of the wettest! It enjoys the rare distinction of being one of the few natural golf courses in Asia. Not only is the Shillong Golf Course scenic, it is also challenging. A group of British officers introduced golf to Shillong in 1898 when they constructed a nine hole course. The present 18 hole course was inaugurated in 1924.

Don Bosco Museum: A recent addition, the Don Bosco Museum at Mawlai has 17 sections showcasing the lifestyle, characteristics and cultural aspects of the seven states of the North East. Sculptures depicting the subtleties and differences between the region’s various ethnic groups are a treat for the culturally inclined. It also houses an extensive library of nearly10,000 books on the North East. Spread over seven floors, the top floor offers a bird’s-eye-view of Shillong. The hexagonal building is topped by a flame-like structure, clearly visible from the main highway into Shillong.

Shillong Peak: Close your eyes and imagine you are standing on top of the Everest and looking at what lies below. That might not happen so easily in reality, but you can experience a minuscule of that feeling atop the Shillong Peak, the highest point of Shillong (6,433 feet in altitude), from where you can see the entire city. 

Diengie Hill: For avid mountain climbers, Dingei Hill is the sweet spot. Located near the Umiam stream, you can get here either through the narrow tract that leads straight to the gorge, through Umiyangka village, where the gradient is steep and precipitous enough for a mind-blowing mountain climbing experience, or you can take the Barapani road, about 16 km from Shillong.

Wards Lake: At the heart of the city is the eponymous Ward Lake -- an artificial lake created to take the sting out of visitors desperate for a boat ride. Built in the shape of a horseshoe, although not apparent to even the discerning eye at first glance, the lake has an arched bridge and little isles. Effervescent flower beds with rapturous blooms competing with the lush green grass contribute to a perfect setting for an aimless day. Though not particularly exciting, it is a nice place for an evening or morning walk. Avoid it during the weekends as it can get crowded.

Butterfly Museum: For those with an interest in Lepidoptera, the butterfly museum at Jaiaw is a good place to go to.

Williamson Sangma Museum: For a minimal glimpse into Khasi life, you can visit the State Museum, called the Williamson Sangma Museum, located at the State Central Library complex near Police Bazaar. Not particularly enthralling, the museum has ageing dusty displays of local fauna and flora, culture and anthropology.

Umiam Lake: Also known as Barapani, the Umiam Lake is an artificial lake created by a dam on the Umiam River. A 40 minutes drive from Shillong, the dam is the main source of electricity for most of Shillong and its surrounding areas. The lake is spread over 5 sq km, and is delightfully tranquil. Little sail and paddle boats are available for hire at very affordable rates. It makes for a good relaxing day trip, and taking a picnic basket is advisable as the nearby Orchid Lake Resort is rather run down, with below average food and service.