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Meghalaya

Mawlynnong

Asia's cleanest village: root bridge, bamboo skywalk

OffbeatCulture

Best time to visit Mawlynnong

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: November to February
  • Shoulder: March to May and October, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: June to September

Planning a specific month? JanuaryFebruaryNovemberDecember

Mawlynnong season by season

Winter December to February Prime time

Dry paths, clear skies: the Sky View bamboo tower shows Bangladesh's plains below.

Summer March to May Shoulder

Warm, green, fewer tourists, though afternoon showers creep in by May.

Monsoon June to September Do not go

Some of India's heaviest rain falls right here. Leeches, slick paths, zero views.

Autumn October to November Prime time

October is transitional: trails drying out, village looking its lush best.

What Mawlynnong is actually like

Homestay evenings with Khasi families, mostly day-trippers, quiet overnight stays.

Things to do in Mawlynnong

The local places worth your time in and around Mawlynnong, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Riwai Living Root Bridge

    Heritage · 2 km out

    Single span of woven ficus roots over a stream at Riwai; small fee, and get there before the Shillong taxis at 11.

  • Sky View Bamboo Tower

    Viewpoint · in town

    Eighty foot bamboo scaffold looking over the Bangladesh plains; pay at the base, it sways, a few people up at a time.

  • Maw Ryngkew Sharatia (Balancing Rock)

    Shrine · in town

    Boulder poised on a tiny stone that Khasis hold sacred; five minutes off the village lane, small fee at the path.

  • Church of the Epiphany

    Church · in town

    Stone and timber village church over a century old, still the middle of Sunday here; the door is open on weekdays.

Getting to Mawlynnong

1h from Dawki, 2.5h shared taxi from Shillong. No ILP.

Practical ways in: road

Trip facts

How long to stay
2 days
Budget
Mid-range
How busy
Steady at its peak
Solo travel
Fine solo
Altitude
474 m
State
Meghalaya
Coordinates
25.2018, 91.9160

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Mawlynnong?

November to February is peak season in Mawlynnong. March to May and October is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid June to September. October is transitional: trails drying out, village looking its lush best.

How many days do you need in Mawlynnong?

2 days is the usual stay. Homestay evenings with Khasi families, mostly day-trippers, quiet overnight stays.

How do you get to Mawlynnong?

1h from Dawki, 2.5h shared taxi from Shillong. No ILP. Practical ways in: road.

Is Mawlynnong expensive, and does it get crowded?

Mid-range by Indian travel standards, and it runs steady at the busiest time of year. Fine solo.

What are the best things to do in Mawlynnong?

Riwai Living Root Bridge, Sky View Bamboo Tower, Maw Ryngkew Sharatia (Balancing Rock) and Church of the Epiphany. Single span of woven ficus roots over a stream at Riwai; small fee, and get there before the Shillong taxis at 11.

Nearby, and where to go next

More places to visit in Meghalaya

All 17 destinations in Meghalaya