About Jowai

Country: India | State: Meghalaya

Ideal Trip Duration: 1-2 Days

Nearest City to Jowai: Guwahati (156 Kms), Shillong (64 Kms)

Best Time to Visit Jowai: October to November & March to July

Peak Season: March to May

At a distance of 57 km from Dawki, 64 km from Shillong, 89 km from Mawlynnong, 100 km from Mairang, 101 km from Cherrapunji, 114 km from Mawsynram, 125 from Silchar and 156 km from Guwahati, Jowai is a town and the headquarters of West Jaintia Hills district in Meghalaya, India. Renowned for its scenic setting and breathtaking views, Jowai is one of the popular tourist destinations in North East India and among the top places to experience Meghalaya Tourism.

Situated at an altitude of 1380 m, Jowai is bounded by the Myntdu River on three sides and Bangladesh bordering it on the southern fringes. Jowai is the home land of Pnar tribe. The people share common heritage with the Khasi people like the customs, family tradition and religion. Jowai is also an important business and education hub of the entire district catering to students from all over the district as well as the adjacent parts of Assam and Bangladesh.

Jowai was the political and commercial Centre of Jaintia Hills since the British rule in India. Legend says that, the Jaintia Hills did not belong to the territory of the Khasi Hills and also were not under the Khasi kings. They had their own administration under the Jaintia kings who resided in a town called Jaintiapur in Surma valley. In 1835, the British captured Jaintia hills and collected regular taxes like land tax and property tax. Later, the property tax was changed into house tax in 1860 and also the British introduced the income tax and taxes on fish and on trees in the same year. With that imposition, the people revolted in 1862 and their superiority in arms enabled the British to control the Jaintia people in 1863 after 15 months of fighting.

From beautiful sightseeing spots to a bit of history and culture, the picturesque town of Jowai offers a lot to its visitors. Lakes are the main attraction of Jowai. The Thadlaskein Lake and Ialong Park are the famous tourist hot spots while Syntu Ksiar is also a popular destination on the shores of River Myntdu. Krang Suri Falls, Nartiang Monoliths, Tyrshi Falls, and Umlawan Cave are the other major places to visit in Jowai.

Guwahati Airport is the nearest major airport which is about 178 km from Jowai and is well-connected by flights with cities like Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai and Jaipur. About 156 km, Guwahati Railway Station is the nearest rail head to Jowai which is well connected by train with Kolkata, Delhi, Agartala, Mumbai, Bikaner, Dibrugarh, Tambaram, Bangalore, Silchar, Trivandrum, Hyderabad, Patna, Kanyakumari, Amritsar, Chandigarh, Chennai and Jammu Tawi. Shillong Bus Stand is the nearest bus station, but getting bus to Jowai is little difficult. It is best to have the own transport or hire a cab.

Being a hidden destination, Jowai does not offer more facilities to its visitors. Only few accommodation options are available in the region but still it is advised to book in advance or stay in Shillong and visit Jowai as a day trip.

Behdienkhlam Festival is the major festival of Jowai which takes place during the wet and rainy month of July. Being an extremely wet region, Jowai experiences short summers, comparatively long monsoons and even longer winters. October - November and March - June are the best months to visit Jowai as the temperature remains comfortable and is apt for sightseeing.

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Other Info
Internet Availability: Average
STD Code: 03652
Languages Spoken: Khasi, Pnar English & Hindi
Major Festivals: Behdienkhlam Festival
Notes/Tips:
None

How to Reach Jowai

By Air

Nearest Airport: Guwahati - Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (178 Kms)

By Train

Nearest Train Station: Guwahati Railway Station (156 Kms)

By Bus

Nearest Bus Station: Jowai Bus Stand (0 Kms)
Shillong (64 Kms)

Top 10 Places to Visit in Jowai

#3 of 9 Places to Visit in Jowai

At a distance of 7 km from Jowai Bus Stand, Ialong Park is an eco-park situated at Ialong village near Jowai in West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya. Situated on the Jowai-Silchar highway, it is one of the wonderful places to visit in Meghalaya and among the popular places to visit in Jowai.

Sprawling over an area of 12.80 hectares, Ialong Park is known for its sacred groves and a viewpoint which offers breathtaking views of Pynthorwah Valley. The park is constantly being renovated and beautified under the Special DRDA Tourism Project taken up by the District Administration. The place is well accommodated with water dams, toilets, canals, changing rooms etc. A variety of flowers, some native to Meghalaya adorn the park. One can sit on the grassy slopes and enjoy the mesmerizing sunset from the park.

The place offers a picturesque view of the paddy fields on the banks of River Myntdu. The park also has Traveller's nest, run by the Ialong Tourism Cooperative Society Limited, .....

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#4 of 9 Places to Visit in Jowai

At a distance of 4 km from Jowai Bus Stand, Syntu Ksiar is a scenic place located in Jowai town of West Jaintia Hills district in Meghalaya. Situated on the banks of Myntdu River, it is one of the lovely places to visit in Jowai and among the famous historical places in Jaintia Hills.

Syntu Ksiar is a vast stretch of land that lies on the banks of Myntdu River. The literal meaning of Syntu Ksiar is 'the golden flower' in the local Jaintia language. According to the legend, the place got its name from a lady called Syntu of 'Iawchibidi' clan. It is believed that the lady was committed suicide by jumping into the river here. After she got drown into the river, a beautiful golden flower blooms in the middle of the river which is said to be very beautiful and cannot be plucked by anybody. Thus, the place got its name from this particular flower which grows here.

Syntu Ksiar is also renowned for being the center of the freedom struggle as this is the place from where freedom fighter .....

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#5 of 9 Places to Visit in Jowai

At a distance of 9 km from Jowai Bus Stand, Thadlaskein Lake is a placid lake located at Mukhla near Jowai in Meghalaya. Situated on the Shillong-Jowai highway, it is one of the beautiful lakes in Meghalaya and among the major places to experience the Jowai Tourism.

Thadlaskein Lake is a manmade lake and is popular weekend hangout for the locals. Fed by a perennial spring, the lake was dug by the followers of Jaintia Chieftain, U Sajar Nangli by using the bottom of their bows. The Chieftain had an irreconcilable difference of opinion with the king of Jaintiapur, the Erstwhile Jaintia Kingdom, which now constitutes the Jaintia district of Bangladesh. U Sajar Nangli knew that his differences with the king would inevitably lead to intensive combat causing a bloodbath of their own people and he was unwilling to be responsible for such a tragedy. He decided to flee from the kingdom with his followers, but before they parted from their beloved motherland, they dug a beautiful lake at Thadlaskein .....

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#1 of 9 Places to Visit in Jowai

At a distance of 30 km from Mawlynnong, 57 km from Jowai, 71 km from Nongkrem, 80 km from Shillong, 84 km from Cherrapunjee, 95 km from Mairang, 172 km from Guwahati, 205 km from Kamrup, 223 km from Morigaon, 265 km from Barpeta, Dawki or Dauki is a small town in West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya. Situated on the banks of Umngot River, it is one of the beautiful places to visit in Meghalaya.

Sandwiched between India and Bangladesh, Dawki is a border town in Jaintia Hills. It is also a major center of trade between India and Bangladesh. Dawki-Tamabil is one of the few road border crossings between India and Bangladesh which is mainly used for coal transportation to Bangladesh and also other places of India. The crystal clear Umngot River of Dawki is a major attraction that marks the natural separation between the Khasi and Jaintia Hills.

Besides being a trade hub, this small town is known for its immense natural beauty. Umngot River, Umngot Bridge, Jaflong Zero Point .....

Distance (From Jowai): 57 Kms
Trip Duration (): Not Available
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#2 of 9 Places to Visit in Jowai

At a distance of 98 km from Guwahati, 377 km from Dhaka, 414 km from Kohima, 420 km from Cooch Behar, 572 km from Siliguri, 594 km from Darjeeling, 631 km from Gangtok and 1116 km from Kolkata, Shillong is a mesmerizing hill station in East Khasi Hills district of Meghalaya in India. Shillong is the capital city of Meghalaya as well as the headquarters of East Khasi Hills district. It is one of the most picturesque hill stations in India and among the must include places in your honeymoon tour packages.

Perched at an attitude of 1496 m, Shillong is situated on a plateau bounded by the Umiam gorge on the north, Diengiei Hills on the northwest, and the hills of the Assam valley on the northeast. Shillong Peak is the highest point in Shillong with an altitude of 6449 feet. The city gets its name from the deity Shyllong or Lei Shyllong, who is worshipped at the Shillong Peak. The British fondly called Shillong the 'Scotland of the .....

Distance (From Jowai): 64 Kms
Trip Duration (): Not Available
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#6 of 9 Places to Visit in Jowai

At a distance of 29 km from Jowai and 31 km from Dawki, Krang Shuri Waterfall is a majestic falls located near Amlarem village of Jaintia Hills district in Meghalaya. It is one of the exotic waterfalls in Meghalaya and among the top places to visit in Jowai.

Blessed with shimmering blue waters and sparkling sunlight, Krang Shuri Waterfalls is a stunning tourist attraction which is simply breathtaking. It cascades down from a height of about 40 feet into a crystal clear blue pool. One can swim and bathe in the pool but the water is so cold, and the rocks underneath are slippery. Life jacket is compulsory while getting into the pool.

There is a steep stone path leading to the falls from the parking place near Amlarem village. It takes about 30 minutes to reach the falls from the parking lot. On the way, one can get the top view of this mesmerizing waterfall from the nearby viewpoint. Enroute the journey, visitors can see silky cascades of clean water gushing all through the forest .....

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#7 of 9 Places to Visit in Jowai

At a distance of 24 km from Jowai, Nartiang Monoliths is a large cluster of monoliths located at Law Mulong area of Nartiang village in Meghalaya. Literally called as 'Garden of monoliths', the Monoliths Park is one of the renowned monuments in Meghalaya and among the well-known tourist places in Jowai.

Monoliths exist throughout the length and breadth of the Khasi and Jaintia Hills. However, the biggest collection of monoliths in one single area is to be found in Nartiang, the summer capital of the Jaintia rulers. According to legend, the cluster of monoliths erected to mark the reigns of the erstwhile Jaintia Kings. Some scholars also say that these monoliths were erected in memory of the establishment of the market from Raliang to Nartiang. The site has been declared of national importance under the Ancient Monument and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958.

These monoliths cover a wide complex of about 100 m in diameter. The Menhirs (Upright stones) are locally known .....

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#8 of 9 Places to Visit in Jowai

At a distance of 18 km from Jowai Bus Stand, the Thlumuwi Stone Bridge is a manmade bridge located at Chkentalang village near Jowai in Meghalaya. Situated on Jowai - Amlarem Road, it is one of the noted historical places in Jaintia Hills and among the best Jowai Tourist Places.

Thlumuwi Stone Bridge is an old historical bridge built over Muwi stream by warriors of Jaintia Hills. The Bridge was built under the order of the Jaintia kings as it was the route used by Jaintia Rajas while travelling from their Summer Capital Nartiang to their Winter Capital Jaintiapur. It was made of immense slabs of stone supported upon huge, tall stone pillars. It is around 500 years old but was broken when an elephant tried to crossing it. Now, there is a 50 years old Steel Bridge and a 10 year old RCC Bridge just next to this bridge.

One can also visit nearby Thlumuwi Falls across Muwi stream. Graveled footpath along with signages has been constructed to enable visitor to visit this picturesque .....

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#9 of 9 Places to Visit in Jowai

At a distance of 60 km from Jowai, Umlawan Cave is a limestone cave situated at Lumshnong village in West Jaintia Hills district of Meghalaya. Also known as Lumshnong Cave, it is one of the famous caves in Meghalaya and among the must visit places near Jowai.

The Umlawan Cave is joined by two other caves, the Umskor and the Kotsati. Around 21 km long and 100 m deep, the cave is regarded as the longest and the deepest cave in the sub-continent. The cave is embellished with special formations of stalactites and stalagmites, which attract large number of tourists from different places.

The entrance of Umlawan Caves is located in the center of Lumshnong village itself. It is used as a washing place by the villagers. During the monsoons the entrance is flooded with water, and one has to swim to get inside it. With 24 entrances, both horizontal and vertical, no part of the cave is more than one hour away from the nearest entrance.

Timings: 8 AM - 5 PM

Entry: Free

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