Travel Guides & Articles
Shillong Emerges as the Ultimate Hill Station Destination Offering Serene Lakes, Iconic Waterfalls, and Cultural Wonders in India

Published on
August 16, 2025
Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, has recently claimed the title of India’s most-searched travel destination, according to Skyscanner’s Travel Trends Report 2025. Outshining well-known hotspots such as Goa and Manali, the city is drawing travellers with its rare combination of natural beauty, vibrant local culture, and opportunities for adventure, making it a must-visit destination for every explorer.
Nature That Inspires
Shillong is not just a hill station—it is a landscape that seems alive. The city is framed by the rolling Khasi Hills, creating sweeping vistas that leave visitors spellbound. Elephant Falls, one of Shillong’s most iconic sites, showcases a three-tier cascade enveloped by lush greenery, offering a perfect backdrop for photography or quiet contemplation. Umiam Lake, also called Barapani, is another highlight. Its calm, reflective waters mirror the surrounding hills and skies, providing an idyllic setting for boating, picnicking, or simply soaking in nature’s serenity. Beyond these landmarks, Shillong is sprinkled with hidden waterfalls, forested trails, and scenic viewpoints that make every stroll an adventure.
Markets That Tell Stories
Shillong’s charm extends beyond its landscapes into its lively streets and markets. Police Bazaar serves as the city’s commercial heartbeat, buzzing with energy and lined with shops, cafes, and music bars. It’s a place where the contemporary rhythm of the city meets its traditional roots.
Lewduh, also known as Bara Bazaar, is a cultural gem. Predominantly run by local vendors, the market features handcrafted goods, bamboo products, tribal artifacts, and aromatic spices. Wandering through its lanes is a cultural experience in itself, connecting travellers to Meghalaya’s rich traditions and the craftsmanship passed down through generations.
Festivals That Bring the City Alive
Shillong’s festivals are a celebration of both culture and creativity. The annual Cherry Blossom Festival, held every November, is the city’s most vibrant event, attracting international artists, culinary experts, and performers. The streets are adorned with floral displays, art installations, and live music, creating a lively atmosphere that fuses global influences with local heritage. Visiting Shillong during the festival allows travellers to witness the city at its most colorful, energetic, and culturally immersive.
Heritage That Speaks Volumes
For history and culture enthusiasts, Shillong offers an abundance of stories. Cultural centers provide insights into the region’s indigenous tribes, their rituals, and artistic expressions. Architectural landmarks, such as the Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, exemplify the city’s historical elegance. With its neo-Gothic arches and intricate stained glass, the cathedral stands as a symbol of Shillong’s architectural and spiritual legacy. Each heritage site in the city adds depth to the traveller’s experience, blending history seamlessly with natural beauty.
Hidden Adventures Await
Shillong also caters to those seeking outdoor thrills. Shillong Peak, rising to nearly 2,000 meters, offers breathtaking panoramic views of the city and surrounding hills, especially during sunset when the landscape glows in warm hues. The Laitlum Canyons, a less-traveled gem, feature dramatic gorges and sweeping valleys, perfect for trekking and nature photography. These hidden trails provide moments of awe and discovery for those willing to venture beyond the city center, offering an adventurous escape into Meghalaya’s raw terrain.
Why Shillong Captures Hearts
Shillong’s appeal lies in its ability to offer something for every traveller. Its natural splendor, bustling markets, cultural richness, and adventurous landscapes come together to create a multi-dimensional experience. From serene lakes to energetic streets, from vibrant festivals to hidden trekking paths, Shillong delivers a complete travel experience that lingers long after the journey ends.
Whether seeking calm, cultural insight, or exhilarating exploration, Shillong promises a journey that engages all senses. Its emergence as India’s most-searched destination is a testament to the city’s growing allure, making it a destination that every traveller should experience at least once.
Travel Guides & Articles
InsideAsia to ‘shake up’ market with launch of India programme

InsideAsia aims to “shake up the market” with the launch of its newest destination: India.
The specialist tour operator – part of Inside Travel Group, together with InsideJapan – is offering 12 “cultural adventures” across six regions and 80 different destinations in India.
Jess Andrews, Inside Travel Group’s South Asia programme manager, joined the company early last year to develop a “standout” India programme.
She has worked with India for almost 20 years with companies such as Ampersand Travel and Abercrombie & Kent.
“India is a sleeping giant. It’s a place of almost endless adventure and diversity which has been so underserviced by the majority of the UK travel industry for many years now,” she said.
“We have set out to shake up the market and offer cultural adventures with our own ‘Inside Travel’ stamp, aiming to represent this vast country and the variety of culture and people that make it so special.”
She said the tours go “way beyond” the ‘Golden Triangle’ to showcase India’s places, culture and people.
Inside Travel Group co-founder Alastair Donnelly added: “India has long been a missing piece of our Asia puzzle.
“This is our first new destination to launch since 2022, and we believe that with India, with our partners on the ground, the people we work across the country and with the cultural adventures we are able to create, we have something incredible.
“We have a team of five India travel specialists, with experience and knowledge from all over the country, but all united by their passion for the country and culture, and knowing what makes travel great.”
India sales and product specialist Brandon Clements joined the team earlier this year after 13 years at A&K as an India specialist.
“Jess and the team have shown that there is a conscious effort to offer something very different to what is already out there on the market,” said Clements.
“The cultural adventures on site are a snippet of what is possible, but they provide inspiration.”
Donnelly added: “As a B Corp that prides itself on using ‘travel as a force for good’, we hope that we can encourage people to explore beyond the usual, get beneath the surface and give back to communities across the country that would benefit from cultural adventure tourism.”
Travel Guides & Articles
Air India launches limited-period sale on premium cabins across key short-haul routes

Air India has announced a limited-time promotional sale offering attractive fares for Business Class and Premium Economy travel on select short-haul international routes. The offer presents travellers with an opportunity to plan holidays across South Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East while enjoying the enhanced comfort of Air India’s premium cabins.
Under the sale, all-inclusive Premium Economy round-trip fares start from INR 13,300, while Business Class fares begin at INR 34,400. Routes on offer include popular destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Kathmandu, Colombo, and Male, operated by aircraft featuring new or upgraded three-class cabin interiors.
Travellers booking via Air India’s website or mobile app will enjoy zero convenience fees and additional savings through promotional codes. Discounts include up to INR 2,400 per passenger with promo code FLYAI and up to INR 2,500 per passenger with Visa card payments using VISAFLY. The sale is valid for bookings made 2–7 September 2025, with travel permitted until 31 March 2026. Exclusively on 7 September, the offer will only be available via Air India’s digital platforms.
Visa cardholders can also avail of exclusive discounts:
- One-way international tickets – up to INR 1,500 off
- Round-trip international tickets – up to INR 2,500 off
The limited-period offer is available for bookings from 2-7 September 2025 for travel until 31 March 2026. Bookings under the sale will be available across all channels, including Air India’s website, mobile app, airport ticketing offices, customer contact centre, and through travel agents. However, the sale is exclusively available on Air India’s website and mobile app on 7 September 2025.
As part of its ongoing fleet transformation, Air India now offers upgraded Business Class and Premium Economy cabins on 16 short-haul international routes, ensuring travellers enjoy a world-class experience. These include flights to popular destinations such as Bangkok, Phuket, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, and Kathmandu that are now operated by new, upgraded or retrofitted aircraft in a three-class cabin configuration, providing a world-class flying experience to travellers.
Sample All-Inclusive Round-Trip Fares Between Key Geographies (Ex-India, Partial Listing Only) |
|||
Sector | Currency | Premium Economy | Business Class |
Delhi – Kathmandu | INR | 13,300 | 34,400 |
Delhi – Dhaka | INR | 16,100 | 66,500 |
Mumbai – Colombo | INR | 22,700 | 48,800 |
Delhi – Kuala Lumpur | INR | 23,700 | 64,700 |
Delhi – Bangkok | INR | 25,200 | 64,400 |
Mumbai – Singapore | INR | 24,800 | 91,600 |
Delhi – Ho Chi Minh City | INR | 25,100 | 67,700 |
Delhi – Male | INR | 39,400 | 97,600 |
Delhi – Hong Kong | INR | 30,700 | 1,07,100 |
Sample All-Inclusive Round-Trip Fares Between Key Geographies (In To India, Partial Listing Only) |
|||
Route | Currency | Premium Economy | Business Class |
Abu Dhabi-Mumbai | AED | 900 | 2,500 |
Dubai-Delhi | AED | 1,100 | 3,500 |
Dubai-Hyderabad | AED | 1,200 | 2,500 |
Hong Kong-Delhi | HKD | 3,700 | 14,300 |
Denpasar-Delhi | IDR | 1,36,88,000 | 3,08,78,000 |
Doha-Delhi | QAR | 1,080 | 2,780 |
Singapore-Delhi | SGD | 428 | 1,292 |
Bangkok-Delhi | THB | 9,215 | 27,801 |
Jeddah-Delhi | SAR | 1,962 | 2,055 |
Travel Guides & Articles
ITB India 2025 opens in Mumbai showcasing global travel

ITB India 2025, a leading B2B travel trade show organised by Messe Berlin, officially opened today in Mumbai, marking its third in-person edition as a premier B2B trade show and conference for the travel industry.
In a press statement, the organisers say that under the theme The Business of Experience: Curated Travel for Targetted Growth, the event brings together a global gathering of over 400 exhibitors, 600 high-caliber buyers and expects upwards of 8,000 trade visitors from sectors including MICE, leisure, corporate and travel technology.
The statement adds that the three-day event is co-located with MICE Show India and Travel Tech India, focussing on the rising demand for experience-driven travel with emphasis on wellness, culture, cinematic storytelling and adventure tourism.
The organisers say that Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh have been named the Official Partner States of ITB India 2025, showcasing their diverse landscapes and rich cultural heritage.
It adds that these states are positioned as prime destinations offering authentic and immersive travel experiences beyond the usual tourist trails.
According to the statement, the exhibition features wide international participation across the entire tourism value chain. Key exhibitors include national tourism organizations, top MICE companies, online travel agencies, hospitality brands, travel tech providers and travel agents. Notable exhibitors such as Wonderful Indonesia, Visit Northern Finland, Ministry of Heritage and Tourism Oman, and several others underline the event’s global scope and comprehensive market reach.
The organisers say that running alongside the trade show is the ITB India Conference 2025, featuring more than 40 sessions across four curated tracks, Knowledge Theatre, MICE & Corporate, Travel Tech and Experiential Travel. Industry leaders will discuss India’s growing outbound travel market, innovations in MICE and corporate travel, the transformative role of AI and analytics in travel tech, and the shift towards experiential and purpose-driven travel.
“ITB India 2025 demonstrates the vitality of the Indian and South Asian travel markets, serving as an essential platform for global engagement and collaboration. This year’s edition places a strong emphasis on experience-led travel while fostering fresh opportunities for dialogue, innovation and partnerships across MICE, Corporate, Leisure and Travel Technology. We are delighted to welcome our Official Partner States, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh, whose participation brings India’s diversity and cultural depth to the forefront, further cementing ITB India’s position as a gateway to the future of travel,” says Darren Seah, Executive Director, Messe Berlin Asia Pacific and organiser of ITB India, MICE Show India and Travel Tech India.
-
Business4 days ago
The Guardian view on Trump and the Fed: independence is no substitute for accountability | Editorial
-
Tools & Platforms3 weeks ago
Building Trust in Military AI Starts with Opening the Black Box – War on the Rocks
-
Ethics & Policy1 month ago
SDAIA Supports Saudi Arabia’s Leadership in Shaping Global AI Ethics, Policy, and Research – وكالة الأنباء السعودية
-
Events & Conferences3 months ago
Journey to 1000 models: Scaling Instagram’s recommendation system
-
Jobs & Careers2 months ago
Mumbai-based Perplexity Alternative Has 60k+ Users Without Funding
-
Funding & Business2 months ago
Kayak and Expedia race to build AI travel agents that turn social posts into itineraries
-
Education2 months ago
VEX Robotics launches AI-powered classroom robotics system
-
Podcasts & Talks2 months ago
Happy 4th of July! 🎆 Made with Veo 3 in Gemini
-
Education2 months ago
AERDF highlights the latest PreK-12 discoveries and inventions
-
Mergers & Acquisitions2 months ago
Donald Trump suggests US government review subsidies to Elon Musk’s companies