Mawlynnong is a village of a few hundred people in the Pynursla block of East Khasi Hills, close to the Bangladesh border and about 90 km from Shillong. It is known for its cleanliness: Wikipedia reports that Discover India magazine called it Asia's cleanest village in 2003 and India's cleanest in 2005. The reputation rests on habits rather than infrastructure, with bamboo baskets for rubbish, a ban on plastic and residents taking turns to sweep.
There is not a long list of sights. You walk the lanes, climb the bamboo Sky View tower if the weather is clear, look at the Church of the Epiphany and drive or walk to the single-span living root bridge at nearby Riwai. A balancing boulder close to the road takes ten minutes. Most people are done in two or three hours, which is why Mawlynnong is usually combined with the Umngot river at Dawki, about 15 km away.
The village is Khasi, with a matrilineal tradition in which property passes to the youngest daughter, and most residents are Christian. Tourism has changed local incomes, and the practical rules follow from that: carry cash since there is no ATM, ask before photographing people, keep to the paths and take your rubbish with you.
For parents and older travellers, the walking in the village is gentle, but the road from Shillong is long and winding, and the viewpoints and root bridge involve steps. Stay one night in a homestay if you can. The lanes are calmer in the early morning, after the day visitors leave.
Before you plan
Mawlynnong at a glance
- Best months
- October to April for dry pathsOctober to April for dry paths; November to February is cool and clear, and March and April bring more flowers. June to September is heavy monsoon with slippery trails.
- Ideal trip length
- Half a day on its ownHalf a day on its own, or 1 night in a homestay combined with Riwai and Dawki
- Airport
- GuwahatiGuwahati (GAU), about 3 hours from Shillong by road and a further 2.5 to 3 hours to the village; Shillong (SHL) has limited services
- Railway station
- No railhead nearbyNo railhead nearby. Guwahati (GHY) is the usual station, with Shillong as the overnight halt
- Getting around
- Hired car and driver or a shared…Hired car and driver or a shared taxi from Shillong; the village itself is covered on foot
- Daily budget
- Homestay rooms were reported at…Homestay rooms were reported at roughly ₹800 to ₹1,500 per night including meals in one guide; fees at attractions are small. Prices vary, so confirm locally
- Senior comfort
- Village lanes are gentleVillage lanes are gentle, but the drive is long, and Sky View and the Riwai bridge involve stairs and slippery steps
- Language
- Khasi locallyKhasi locally; English, Hindi and Assamese are also used, and English is widely understood in tourism
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
Best time to visit Mawlynnong: January, February, November, December. Month-by-month weather →
How many days do you have?
Mawlynnong itinerary
One good day
1 day in Mawlynnong
Leave Shillong early so you reach Mawlynnong by about 9 am, before weekend crowds. Walk the lanes first, then see the Church of the Epiphany and, if the sky is clear and you are comfortable with the climb, the Sky View tower. Drive to Riwai for the living root bridge, and stop at the Balancing Rock on the way. Have lunch locally, then continue to Dawki, about 15 km away, for the Umngot river boat ride. Start back to Shillong by mid-afternoon, because the hill road is slow after dark.
Day-by-day plan →Two days
2 days in Mawlynnong
Arrive by late morning, check in to a homestay and rest. In the afternoon walk the lanes, visit the Church of the Epiphany and the Sky View tower, then stay in the village as the day visitors leave. Eat dinner at your homestay.
Day-by-day plan →Three unhurried days
3 days in Mawlynnong
Drive from Shillong with stops, arrive by the afternoon, and settle into a homestay. Walk the lanes and the church before dusk.
Day-by-day plan →
