10

Best Historical Places in Meghalaya

Among the most significant historical places in Meghalaya, the Nartiang Monoliths are located in West Jaintia Hills near the ancient Jaintia Kingdom capital. Built between the 16th and 19th centuries, these towering stone slabs commemorate Jaintia kings, clan leaders, and important events.

The tallest monolith amongst this group of monoliths rises over 8 metres, symbolising royal authority. Key artefacts include memorial menhirs, flat ceremonial stones, and sacrificial platforms once used during state rituals. The site reflects a megalithic tradition unique to the Jaintia community. Visitors can walk among precisely aligned stones, understand clan-based governance, and explore how stone architecture preserved political memory without written records.

How to reach: Nartiang Monoliths is around 26 kilometres from Jowai, which is the nearest town. You can reach it in approximately 47 minutes via the Nongbah-Nartiang Road.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Nartiang Monoliths is during the dry season of October to May, with temperatures ranging between 10° celsius to 25° celsius, offering pleasant weather for exploration and clear skies.

The David Scott Monument stands in Saitsohpen village near Sohra, marking the legacy of British administrator David Scott from the early 19th century. Built in 1832, the monument commemorates Scott’s role as Agent to the Governor-General, overseeing the Khasi Hills administration. The structure features a domed stone pavilion, original inscriptions, and a raised platform overlooking historic trade routes.

It records the period of British expansion and treaties with Khasi chiefs. Recognised among the key historical places in Meghalaya, the site offers views of old pathways linking Assam and Bengal. Tourists experience colonial-era architecture and gain insight into early British governance in the region.

How to reach: The David Scott Monument is around 53 kilometres from Shillong, which is the nearest city. You can reach it in approximately 1 hour and 50 minutes via SH 5, NH 106, and NH 6.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit the David Scott Monument is from October to April, when the weather is cool and ideal for hiking.

Located near the Khasi village of Rangthylliang, the Megalithic Bridge on the Um-Nyankanah River dates back over five centuries. Constructed using massive stone slabs without mortar, the bridge served as an important trade crossing between hill settlements. It reflects advanced indigenous engineering and community labour traditions. Large flat stones, supporting pillars, and carved stepping paths remain intact despite centuries of monsoon floods.

The bridge holds ritual significance, often associated with clan gatherings and processions. The Megalithic Bridge on the Um-Nyankanah River is listed among the important historical places in Meghalaya. Here, visitors can closely observe ancient construction techniques while walking across a structure still used by locals today.

How to reach: This Megalithic Bridge is around 49 kilometres from Jowai, which is the nearest town. You can reach it in approximately 1 hour and 41 minutes via NH 206.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit the Megalithic Bridge is during the winter months of November to February for pleasant weather.

The Nongriat Double Decker Living Root Bridge, located in the East Khasi Hills, is one of the most remarkable historical places in Meghalaya and the only double-decker root bridge in the world. Developed over nearly 200 years, the bridge was trained from the aerial roots of Ficus elastica trees by Khasi villagers. Two layered root spans cross the Umshiang River, creating a living structure that strengthens with age and makes it one of the best places to visit in Meghalaya.

Key features include intertwined root pathways, stone steps leading to the bridge, and nearby ritual pools. The site represents sustainable engineering and ancestral environmental wisdom. Tourists experience an active historical process rather than a static monument, making it one of the most fascinating places to visit in Meghalaya.

How to reach: Nongriat Root Bridge is around 21 kilometres from Cherrapunji, which is the nearest town. You can reach it in approximately 50 minutes via local routes.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit the Nongriat Root Bridge is during the dry season of October to April for safer trails and scenic waterfall views.

Situated in Jowai town, the Kiang Nangbah Monument honours a 19th-century Jaintia freedom fighter who resisted British rule. Kiang Nangbah led an uprising against colonial taxation policies and was executed in 1862. The monument marks the site of his hanging and includes a stone memorial pillar, engraved plaques, and a preserved public square. It stands as a symbol of early resistance movements in the Khasi-Jaintia Hills.

Recognised among meaningful historical places in Meghalaya, the site helps visitors understand local rebellion narratives, colonial conflict, and the role of indigenous leadership during British expansion.

How to reach: The Kiang Nangbah Monument is around 7.2 kilometres from Jowai, where the attraction is located. You can reach it in approximately 32 minutes via the Surok–Sytuksiar Road.

Best time to visit: You can visit the Kiang Nangbah Monument between the dry months of October to May for clear weather and easy exploration. The winter months from November to February offer cool and pleasant conditions.

The Stone Memorial of U-Maw Thodur-Briew is located in the Khasi Hills and commemorates a legendary Khasi warrior and leader. This memorial consists of large upright monoliths that honour U-Maw Thodur-Briew’s bravery and leadership during the inter-clan conflicts in the 17th or 18th century. The stones were raised following traditional Khasi funerary and commemorative customs, making it an insightful stop for travellers exploring Meghalaya Family Tours Packages.

As one of the lesser-known historical places in Meghalaya, the site preserves oral history through stone symbolism. Visitors can observe the placement patterns, understand clan-based remembrance practices, and learn how leadership and valour were recorded without written chronicles.

How to reach: This Stone Memorial is around 66 kilometres from Shillong, which is the nearest city. You can reach it in approximately 2 hours and 19 minutes via the Nongbah–Nartiang Road and NH 6.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit this Stone Memorial is during the dry season of October to April, as exploration becomes easier with clearer hiking paths.

The Megalithic Bridge on the Um-Kumbeh River is an ancient stone structure located in the Jaintia Hills region. Built several centuries ago using massive flat stones, the bridge connected remote villages and trade routes across the river. Its construction relied on precise stone balancing techniques without mortar. Large capstones, supporting pillars, and riverbank steps remain visible today.

Counted among important historical places in Meghalaya, the bridge reflects community-driven engineering and cooperative labour systems. Tourists can walk across the bridge, observe its erosion-resistant design, and understand how indigenous societies developed durable infrastructure suited to Meghalaya’s heavy rainfall conditions.

How to reach: This megalithic bridge is around 49 kilometres from Jowai, which is the nearest town. You can reach it in approximately 1 hour and 39 minutes via NH 206.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit this attraction is from November to March, as the weather remains pleasant.

Bhaitbari, located near the Meghalaya–Assam border, is one of the famous historical places of Meghalaya linked to early Hindu-Buddhist influence. Archaeological remains date between the 7th and 12th centuries, suggesting connections with the ancient Kamarupa kingdom. Key artefacts include brick temple foundations, terracotta plaques, and sculpted stone fragments depicting deities.

Excavations also indicate that Bhaitbari was once a religious and trade centre. Visitors can explore the ruins, study early architectural styles, and understand how Meghalaya interacted with larger eastern Indian civilisations. The site highlights cultural exchanges that shaped the region long before colonial rule.

How to reach: Bhaitbari Archaeological Site is around 9 kilometres from Phulbari, which is the nearest town. You can reach it in approximately 30 minutes via NH 127B.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit this attraction is during the winter months of November to February, as the weather is ideal for exploring historical ruins.

The Dawki Suspension Bridge spans the Umngot River near the Bangladesh border and dates back to the British colonial period. Originally built to facilitate trade and military movement, the bridge features steel cables, wooden planks, and iron anchors fixed into stone supports. Today, it stands as a preserved example of early modern engineering.

Recognised among notable historical places in Meghalaya, The Dawki Suspension Bridge also links historical relevance with scenic surroundings. Visitors can walk across the structure, view river trade routes once used for limestone transport, and experience a working colonial-era bridge still integrated into local daily life.

How to reach: Dawki Bridge is around 78 kilometres from Shillong, which is the nearest city. You can reach it in approximately 3 hours via Hopkinson Road and NH 6.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit Dawki Bridge is during the winter months from November to February for beautiful views of the Umngot River.

Located in Shillong, the Don Bosco Museum is one of the richest historical places in Meghalaya documenting the culture and history of Northeast India. Established in 2010, the seven-storey museum houses over 16 galleries, featuring artefacts such as traditional weapons, musical instruments, textiles, and ceremonial attire. Exhibits chronicle tribal history, colonial encounters, and Christian missionary influence making it an insightful inclusion for travellers exploring Meghalaya Honeymoon Packages who wish to experience the cultural depth of the state.

Architectural highlights include a skywalk offering panoramic city views. Tourists gain structured insight into Meghalaya’s ethnic diversity, social systems, and historical transitions, making the museum an essential stop for understanding the region beyond archaeological monuments.

How to reach: The Don Bosco Museum is around 2.8 kilometres from Shillong, where the attraction is located. You can reach it in approximately 10 minutes via the Sacred Heart Road.

Best time to visit: The best time to visit is during the dry winter months of October to February for pleasant weather.