Experience Shillong, a delightful city set amidst verdant nature. Feel its enchanting natural beauty as you walk past tall pines and lush slopes colored by wild forget-me-nots and dahlias. You simply cannot miss the colonial charm in the fascinating old-world bungalows beautifully decorated with colorful tiles and pretty gardens. With a number of lakes, gardens and waterfalls, Shillong has a lot for sightseeing and picnicking. Try mingling with the much friendly locals who would be happy to share their share secrets of the hills.

• Umiam Lake: One of the most beautiful spots in Shillong, it offers a huge man-made lake and a water sports complex that offers a host of water bound activities like row-boats, paddle-boats, cruise boats, sailing boats, water scooters and speed boats. The lake is so picturesque that it has often been compared to the lakes in Scotland.

• Don Bosco Museum of Indigenous North East Culture: This museum holds the honor of being the largest cultural museum in the continent. It has a rare collection of regional attire, accoutrements, weapons, ornamentation and rare photographs. You can garner vast information on the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Tripura here.

• Wards Lake: A man made lake dug out beautifully in the shape of a horse shoe. Also known as Polok Lake, it is a popular spot for boating. Families and couples flock this place, which is defined by cobbled stone paths and lovely trails for long strolls. The lake’s colorful fishes are a major attraction.

• Lady Hydari Park: Find the most exotic roses in full bloom here. Apart from roses the park has some of the most beautiful flowering plants and orchids too. The park has a lake in its center which is full of pelicans. A mini zoo, a butterfly museum and a children’s park are also housed within the park.

• Elephant Falls: This is a picture perfect fall that falls from a great height. Not a continuous fall, it breaks into short rapids. It has been named after a rock beside the fall, which was said to resemble an elephant - the rock was, however, destroyed by an earthquake.

• Shillong Peak: It is the highest peak in Shillong and is believed to be the abode of the patron deity of the town, goddess Leishyllong. The spot offers mesmerizing views of the entire town of Shillong. The views are especially brilliant after sunset as the town glows with the lights of the town.

• Sohpetbneng Peak: A lovely peak set beautifully amidst dense forests. Literally meaning the navel of heaven the peak is revered by the local Hynniewtrep tribe. The serenity of the place is refreshing and you can even feel the spirituality that resounds in the air around.

• Golf Course: A heaven for golf maniacs, it is believed to be the third oldest golf course in India set pretty amidst tall pines and lovely bushes.

• Meghalaya State Museum: Among a good collection of ancient scripts and other valuables, the museum also exhibits collections from the tribal era.

Shillong is particularly known for its steamed momos, a Tibetan delicacy stuffed with vegetables or meat. Other local delicacies worth trying are pickled bamboo shoots and rice cakes called Ki Kpu. The best place to sample them are Elgin and Bamboo Hut. Momos are anyways available throughout the city. Jadoh is a particular rice and pork preparation served at Jadoh Stall. Delhi Mistaan Bhandar in Police Bazaar is a nice place to savor some mouthwatering Indian snacks. Madras Café serves excellent South Indian dishes while Suruchi is known for its Bengali meals. If you are on a lookout for Chinese and Oriental cuisines head out to Kimpoo and Kowloon. Other popular eating joints in Shillong include Broadway, Swiss Café and Bombay Bites.

Lewduh or Bara Bazaar is the largest shopping area in Shillong and apparently the largest market area in the North-East of the country. It is run mostly by women who sell locally made handicrafts, wooden items and bamboo artifacts. Forest made honey is a must buy here. For more authentic local goods visit the Meghalya Govt. Handicrafts Showroom "Purbashree" located in Police Bazaar. Also worth buying are the local fruits Sayang and Saflang, which are wrapped in banana leaves and sold.