Riwai Living Root Bridge is also covered in our Mawlynnong guide, which is the main page for it: Riwai living root bridge in the Mawlynnong guide.
The short answer
Riwai Living Root Bridge: what visitors should know first
Yes, if you are already at Mawlynnong. It is a short and easy root bridge to see and photograph, and much gentler than the Nongriat double decker. Allow half an hour, and take care on wet stone.
History and context
The story behind Riwai Living Root Bridge
The tradition is specific to the Khasi and Jaintia peoples of Meghalaya. A 2017 count found about 75 living root bridges in West Jaintia and East Khasi Hills. Without care, bridges can decay or grow wild.
Useful facts
Riwai Living Root Bridge facts at a glance
- Location
- Riwai village, near Mawlynnong
- Experience type
- Short walk to a living root bridge
- Material
- Aerial roots of Ficus elastica
- Capacity
- Strong bridges can carry 50 or more people
- Tradition
- Khasi and Jaintia practice
- Visitor note
- Small fee reported; slippery when wet
Why it matters
Why Riwai Living Root Bridge is worth your time
Living root bridges are made by guiding the aerial roots of Ficus elastica across a stream and letting them grow thick enough to bear weight. They are a practice of the Khasi and Jaintia peoples, and researchers had counted around 75 across West Jaintia and East Khasi Hills by 2017.
The Riwai bridge is one of the more accessible examples and is often visited together with Mawlynnong, while the better-known Nongriat double decker lies near Cherrapunji.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
The roots
Thick intertwined roots form a natural span over the stream.
- 02
Under the bridge
The stream below gives the clearest view of the structure.
- 03
Short walk
Easier than the Nongriat trek near Cherrapunji.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Walk down from the road to the stream and stop to look before you step onto the bridge. The bridge is made from the aerial roots of a rubber fig, Ficus elastica, trained across the water by villagers and left to thicken until it could carry a person's weight. Mature bridges can hold 50 or more people and last for several hundred years if cared for, according to the literature on living root bridges.
The crossing itself is short and the roots form a rough, uneven floor. Wear shoes with grip, hold the root rails and do not jump or crowd the bridge. You can view it from the bank and from the stream below, which many find better for photographs.
Take your time and respect that this is a working local structure. Do not break roots or climb on the trees, and pay any fee to the village. If the stream is high after rain, skip the crossing and view from the bank.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Wear shoes with good grip
- Keep small change for fees
- Do not crowd or jump on the bridge
- Skip crossing after heavy rain
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Riwai village, near Mawlynnong, East Khasi Hills
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Best time
- Dry months; mornings for fewer people
- Walking level
- Moderate
- Senior comfort
- The walk is short but includes steps and uneven stone, which are slippery when wet. Walk slowly, wear grippy shoes and stay off the bridge if it is crowded or if you feel unsteady.
- Tickets and access
- A small entry fee has been reported, with sunrise-to-sunset hours; fees change, so keep small change handy and follow local instructions about how many people may stand on the bridge at once.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Riwai Living Root Bridge
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
The walk is short but includes steps and uneven stone, which are slippery when wet. Walk slowly, wear grippy shoes and stay off the bridge if it is crowded or if you feel unsteady.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
How old are living root bridges?
They grow over years and mature bridges may last several hundred years if looked after.
Is Riwai easy to reach?
It is among the more accessible bridges, near Mawlynnong, with a short walk and some steps.
Is it safe to cross?
Generally yes, but wet roots are slippery and a crowded bridge is not advisable.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
