9 Best Places to Visit in North East India

Last Updated on May 16, 2025 by Dev Blogger

The north eastern region of India is an unexplored paradise of wonder abyss and idyllic views that makes for a breathtakingly surreal experience of visual delight. The scenic landscape, the freshness in the morning breeze, the hues dotting the greenery, the steams gurgling with their cold splashes beckons you into the serene peace and tranquillity this region has to offer. Also, with the region being host to a bounty of festivals that titillate pursuit of the soul through art and culture, North east India is indeed one among the most interesting places to visit the country. But within this all-encompassing wonderland lies even more exquisite vistas that will have anyone spellbound with their simplistic majesty. Here’s listing 9 such places of north-east India you definitely have every reason to visit–

Shillong

• Location: Capital of Meghalaya, Northeast India
• Best Time to Visit: September and May (pleasant weather)
• How to Reach:
  • By Air: Nearest airport – Umroi Airport (30 km) or Guwahati (118 km)
  • By Road: Well-connected by buses and taxis from Guwahati
• Sightseeing Places: Umiam Lake, Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak, Ward’s Lake, Police Bazaar

Perhaps the most well-known of places to visit in north east India is Shillong, the capital of the state of Meghalaya. Famed as the Scotland of the East, Shillong remains nestled amidst the lustrous green hilly peaks in the state know aptly as the abode of the clouds and peeks out to the world with its every enchanting and captivating view. The glimmering mountain sun, the crisp cool breeze, the many undulating slopes and the numerous winding roads, Shillong is more than just a destination to seek solace in.

In its seething beauty and charismatic vistas, Shillong is replete with a vibe that resounds with enthusiasm and vibrancy. Perfect for the solo trip you have been planning for long, the hill station is one that has pristinely oozing out of its every aesthetic visual. Rains and romance come pretty easy here as well which makes it the perfect place to cosy up and have the best time of your lives without even doing anything! Also, as a city that retains a charm not commonly found, Shillong entices with its simplicity as well as its reputation of being one of the least polluted cities in India.

Arunachal Pradesh

• Location: Northeasternmost state of India, borders China
• Best Time to Visit: October to April
• How to Reach:
  • By Air: Nearest airport – Lilabari (Assam), then drive to Itanagar
  • By Train: Harmuti (Assam), then road trip
  • By Road: Shared cabs/buses from Assam
• Sightseeing Places: Tawang Monastery, Ziro Valley, Bomdila, Dirang, Namdapha National Park

Breathtaking natural beauty and jaw dropping escapades make the north eastern state of Arunachal Pradesh a haven for travellers. Nestled somewhere amidst the mountains, the crisp air and the vibrant flora perfectly complements the region’s ambient cold and calm. Lush greenery dots the region abundantly, even as numerous pretty rivulets and hilly fields’ dawns in that rustic essence of life so commonplace in North east India.

Travelers and tourists will find themselves at ease here, as warm locals and happy vibes welcome all who come here to explore its raw appeal. The region is a hotspot of music festivals, the hype of which resonates perfectly with its damp weather. Whether it be a sojourn to the drop dead gorgeous Ziro Valley or through challenging undulating slopes to seek pristinely at the Twang monastery, Arunachal Pradesh makes for one of the best places to visit in north east India.

Krang Suri Waterfall

• Location: Near Jowai, West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya
• Best Time to Visit: June to October
• How to Reach:
  • By Road: From Shillong (about 90 km); hire a taxi or drive
• Sightseeing Places Nearby: Jowai town, Nartiang Monoliths, Dawki river, Shnongpdeng village

Another Meghalaya attraction that makes it to the list of places to visit in north east India is a waterfall that has been lauded as perhaps the most magical of all waterfalls in India. In its mesmerising deep blue colour, it’s easy to see why the Krang Suri waterfall remains an absolute enigma making it one of the most visited waterfalls in the country. Located in Meghalaya’s Jaintia Hills, Krang Suri makes for even more of a stunning visual when its resplendent blue converges perfectly with the sparkling sunrays to create a rainbow that is every bit a wonder phenomenal. Also with lush greenery doing up the surrounding ambience, Krang Suri is hands down one of the most enthralling visual delights you can ever partake of.

Mechuka

• Location: Shi-Yomi district, near Indo-China border
• Best Time to Visit: October to April
• How to Reach:
  • By Air: Nearest airport – Dibrugarh, then road journey
  • By Road: From Aalo or Along town (approx. 180 km)
• Sightseeing Places: Samten Yongcha Monastery, Mechuka Valley, Siyom River, Gurudwara built by Indian Army

Okay, we know we have already mentioned Arunachal Pradesh as being on the top of the tourist radar when it comes to places to visit in north east India. But the state is home to so many wonders that it’s difficult not to single out some of them as ‘special mentions’! One such very picturesque expanse nestled deep within Arunachal is the verdant valley of Mechuka.

A place less known and lesser explored, Mechuka is in fact the untouched Shangri- La. A milky terrain in winters and a lush paradise in summers, there is no end to the magic that Mechuka manifests within its misty margins.

Gangtok

• Location: Capital of Sikkim
• Best Time to Visit: March to June and September to December
• How to Reach:
  • By Air: Nearest airport – Pakyong (27 km) or Bagdogra (123 km)
  • By Road: Connected to Siliguri by taxis and buses
• Sightseeing Places: MG Road, Tsomgo Lake, Rumtek Monastery, Nathula Pass, Tashi Viewpoint

A forever favourite among travel enthusiasts, Gangtok is a snowy haven that sees white expanses do up its ample beauty and charm. Life in this part of the country cradles in a vibe that is both exhilarating and liberating. The capital of the state of Sikkim, Gangtok’s premier place in the tourist map has made it vulnerable to a whole lot buzz than what this utterly pristine place naturally harbours. But in its exquisite confines, the land still holds a charm that is as surreal as it is worldly. Monasteries and pilgrimage sites abound in this town that is as known for its peace as it is for the enchanting beauty it remains nestled in.

Imphal Valley

• Location: Central part of Manipur, around Imphal city
• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• How to Reach:
  • By Air: Imphal Airport
  • By Road: Connected to Guwahati and Nagaland
• Sightseeing Places: Kangla Fort, Ima Keithel (women’s market), Manipur State Museum, Shri Govindajee Temple

An oval shaped canyon located some few distance away from the city of Imphal, the namesake valley is a really mesmerising landscape that encompasses also all splendour and beauty the north eastern part of India is so famous for. A very picture perfect valley, the scenic endowing’s are a result of the confluence of several small river streams from the neighbouring hills that provide an incredible aura to the encompassing vista. With the picturesque Loktak Lake, the historical Kangla Palace and Fort and some other very prominent attractions in tow, the Imphal Valley needs to be a definite feature of your sightseeing itinerary in North east India.

Loktak Lake

• Location: Near Moirang, 48 km from Imphal
• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• How to Reach:
  • By Road: Easily accessible by taxi from Imphal
• Sightseeing Places: Phumdis (floating islands), Keibul Lamjao National Park (only floating park), Sendra Island

Home to the world’s only floating National park as well as being a wonder paradise itself, there isn’t any way we would have missed out on Loktak Lake from our list even when the Imphal Valley already had it under its ovalesque expanse.

Guwahati

• Location: Major city in Assam, on the banks of Brahmaputra River
• Best Time to Visit: October to April
• How to Reach:
  • By Air: Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi Airport
  • By Train: Well connected by rail
  • By Road: Buses/taxis from nearby towns
• Sightseeing Places: Kamakhya Temple, Umananda Island, Assam State Museum, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

The gateway to the north eastern region of India, Guwahati is a sprawling city that remains steeped in legacy as much as it does in its modern existence. An ancient city that resides along the banks of the mighty Brahmaputra River, the city houses the famous Kamakhya temple as well as the world’s smallest river island Umananda. Also the largest metropolis in entire north east India, Guwahati also has as many places that would woo you with their urban setting on your every visit. Discover history, spirituality, modernity, peace and beauty all at once in this place that is also the largest city of the state of Assam.

Durtlang Hills

• Location: Near Aizawl, Mizoram
• Best Time to Visit: October to March
• How to Reach:
  • By Air: Nearest airport – Lengpui Airport (35 km)
  • By Road: From Aizawl city via local transport
• Sightseeing Places: Hilltop viewpoints of Aizawl city, Serene walking trails, Durtlang Leitan

Situated in Aizawl, the Durtlang Hills aren’t just a towering presence of exquisite beauty, they also are the abodes of adventure. Trekking trails and hiking sprees characterise the way up the hill that in itself are thrilling pursuits and seriously cater to that adrenaline rush. But once atop and you would lose all sense of that thrill as this time it’s a different exhilaration beckoning you with magnificence. A panoramic view of the entire capital city of Mizoram unfolds before your eyes in its abundant greenery even as you feel refreshed at all that mountain air breezing its way past you.

Be it the many waterfalls that make their way down the slopes, the expanse of clouds that seem to crown the hill in beautiful whites, the spectacular sunset views and the glorious morning dawning’s- there is no aspect of Aizawl that seems more surreal from anywhere than the lofty expanse of the Durtlang hills. For those who want their visit to north east India to be more of a rejuvenating saga, this is one of those places that will cater exactly to your whims.