CHERRAPUNJEE
56 kms from Shillong, known as the place that receives the World's heaviest rainfall. A pleasant: drive to see roaring water falls leaping into deep gorges, including the famed Nohsngithing falls. Close by are a network of limestone caves between Cherrapunjee and Mawsmai, the ends of which have not yet been explored. Its surroundings are also famous for orange orchards and orange honey.

MAWSYNRAM
56 kms from Shillong. It closely rivals Cherrapunjee in annual rainfall. Its major attraction is a picturesque cave of vast and unexplored depth, featuring a giant stalagmite, in the shape of a natural Shivalinga, which is bathed the year round by water dropping from an overhanging stalactite shaped like a cow's udder. A place of pilgrimage of Hindus, and natural wonder for sightseers.

JAKREM 
64 kms from Shillong, a popular health resort having hot springs of sulphur water, believed to have medicinal properties.

RANIKOR 
140 kms from Shillong, is a scenic spot and an angler's paradise for carp and mahseers

DAWKI 
96 kms from Shillong, is a border town, where one can see the neighbouring country of Bangladesh, the colourful annual boat race during spring at the Umgot river is an added attraction.

MAIRANG 
4Okms from Shillong, capital of Nongkhlaw state. Home of the legendary U Tirot Sing Syiem (Rajaof Nongkhlaw), who spear-headed a war against the British invaders to defend the territorial integrity and cultural identity of the Hyniliewtrep people. He raised the battle cry on April 4, 1829, but was finally captured and died in captivity in Dhaka on July 17,1835.

Headquarters of the Jaliltia Hills district is situated 64 kms from Shillong, along the ShiUong-Silchar national highway. A picturesque town circled by the majestic Myntdu river.

Places to visit in and around Jowai

Thadlaskeiii Lake
56 kms from Shillong, was according to legend, dug with the ends of bows by members of 290 clans of U Sajiar Niangh, a rebel general of a Jaiiitia Raja, to commemorate the great exodus of the clans, now mainly settled in the RI Bhoi and West Khasi Hills districts.

Nartiang 
65 kms from Shillong, was the summer capital of the Jaintia kings, of Sutnga State. Huge monoliths form the striking landmark of the village, said to be erected by Mar Phalyngki, a gobath of yore. The Nartiang menhirs measure, 27 feet in height above the ground, 6 feet in breadth and 2 feet 6 inches in thickness. The monoliths represent the megalithic culture of the Hynniewtrep people.

TURA
Tura provides some of the finest views of the hills against a backdrop of the plains, and the sweeping curve of the mighty Brahmaputra. Tura peak (1,400m) is reached by a five kilometre trek which is part hiking, part rock-climbing.

Balpakram Valley 
A sanctuary of the typical fauna of the region. The other, noted mainly for birds, is in the Naphak Lake-Simsang River area. The famous limestone caves of Siju are located quite near the Naphak Lake- Simsang river game reserve. The formations of staictites and stalag- mites in these caves are said to resemble those in the famous Blue Grotto in the Isle of Capri. The adjoining stream is good for angling.