Travel Guide Shillong

population: 354,325. Shillong was the capital of Greater Assam from 1874 to 1972, until the creation of the state of Meghalaya. The city lies on a plateau surrounded by vast hills. This British-built health resort, sometimes reminiscent of Darjeeling in its colonial architecture, is a modern Indian city, but has retained an old-fashioned charm. The superb Art Deco Mary Help of Christians Cathedral is the city's landmark.The city is well connected by road, but its airport, located 30 km from the city, offers few flights (only to and from Jorhat and Kolkata), and has no railway station. Shillong offers easy access to the south of the state (Cherrapunjee, Mawlynnong, Dawki) and is becoming an increasingly popular destination for domestic tourism.