Khasi Hills-The Land of Abundant Wonders

Umiam Lake

Location: Ri Bhoi District

More popularly known as Barapani, this is the biggest artificial lake in the State. Surrounded by sylvan hills and wrapped in the beauty of an assortment of green Khasi-pines and the azure blue skies is the majestic Umiam lake. The lake situated just 15 km from Shillong on the Guwahati-Shillong National Highway has left a lasting impression on each and every person who has come to this lake.

Developed upon the reservoir of the Umiam Hydro Electric Project, the Water Sports Complex provides a choice of row-boats, paddle-boats, cruise boats, sailing boats, water scooters and speed boats. This is a very popular place for picnic, fishing and watersports. M.T.D.C. had started operating water-sports in the area. Also the Orchid Lake resort run by the M.T.D.C. cater to the need of the visiting tourists.

Adjacent to the resort is the Lum Nehru Park, a popular picnic spot.

Lum Sohpetbneng

Location: Ri Bhoi District

The navel of Heaven, is a place of pilgrimage for the Khasis of indigenous religion. Located on top of a hill, legend has it, that on this spot a golden ladder connected Heaven and Earth, God and Man. However, the connection was severed in accordance with divine decree. Once a year, in the month of February the indigenous Khasi people gather here to conduct rites and rituals and offer prayers. For visitors, a view of the surrounding countryside from the hill top is breathtaking and the feeling of space and vastness is truly an experience to be cherished

Diengiei Peak

Location: Ri Bhoi District

Located to the west of the Shillong plateau, Diengiei Peak is just two hundred feet lower than Shillong peak. The peak presents a spectacular view of green mountainous hills. The captivating hills are dotted with tiny shining villages. Diengiei Peak is accessible by the Umiam-Union Christian College-Mawmaram motorable road which takes off from National Highway-40 at Umiam. Atop Diengiei, a visitor is greeted with a commanding view of the Umiam lake with the city of Shillong in the background. On the top of Diengiei, there is a huge hollow, shaped like a cup, which some geologists believe could be the crater of an extinct pre-historic volcano.

Dwarksuid

Location: Ri Bhoi District, Umroi Bhoilymbong

An enigmatically beautiful pool with wide, rocky sand banks located on a stream alongside the Umroi-Bhoilymbong Road is known as Dwarksuid or Devil's doorway. Its lotus-like rock formations are captivatingly scenic and unforgettable.

Mairang

Location: West Khasi Hills District

Half-way to Nongstoin is Mairang, the sub-divisional head-quarter, 12 kms from which, lies the imposing Kyllang rock. A massive dome shape of single rock of granite, rising to an elevation of about 5400 ft above sea level, it measures 1,000 fts. across in diameter. Kyllang rock lies 78 km from Shillong

According to geologists, this rock is about several million years old. The rock can be accessed from the northern and eastern flanks. The southern flank is inaccessible because of its slope exceeds 800 over an incline of about six hundred feet.

It is believed that the rock possesses a sort of magnetic field, so no one will fall from the slope. Enormous detached blocks of rock features the southern side and dense forests in the northern side. The forest is thickly populated with age-old red Rhododendron trees and oaks along with white Rhododendron trees, which are not found elsewhere.

The southern side of Kyllang Rock is encumbered with enormous detached blocks of rock, while its northern side is clothed with dense forests, containing age-old red Rhododendron trees and oaks besides bushy, white Rhododendron trees.

A beautiful memorial in the honour of U Tirot is constructed here in Mairang to commemorate his great feats.