Monday, November 27, 2023

Visit to Mawlynnong, the Asia's cleanest village, bamboo trek watching Bangladesh border and exploring Living Root Bridge of Meghalaya

 Mawlynnong is a picturesque village located in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, India. Known for its cleanliness and eco-friendly initiatives, Mawlynnong has earned the title of "Asia's Cleanest Village." Loved visiting Mawlynnong, experiencing a bamboo trek, and exploring nearby living root bridges:

  1. Mawlynnong Village:

    • Location: Mawlynnong is situated approximately 90 kilometers from Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya.
    • Attractions: Explore the village to witness its cleanliness, well-maintained gardens, and the unique community-based initiatives. Visit the local church, the Sky View Point for panoramic views, and the balancing rock.


  2. Bamboo Trek:

    • While Mawlynnong itself is not particularly known for bamboo treks, Meghalaya as a whole offers various trekking opportunities, some of which may involve bamboo forests and landscapes. It's advisable to check with local guides or tour operators for specific trekking options that include bamboo elements.
Living Root Bridges:
    • Nearby Living Root Bridge: The famous living root bridges are more commonly associated with areas like Cherrapunji and Mawlynnong's neighboring village, Nongriat. The Double-Decker Living Root Bridge and the Single-Decker Living Root Bridge are popular attractions in the Nongriat village, reachable through a trek.


  1. How to Reach Nongriat: To reach Nongriat from Mawlynnong, you may need to travel to Tyrna, the starting point of the trek to Nongriat. The trek involves descending a series of stairs to reach the living root bridges. (No One told me its solid 3000+ steps downward trek!)
Tips for Visiting:
    • Local Guidance: Engage local guides who are familiar with the terrain, especially for treks to living root bridges.
    • Weather Considerations: Meghalaya experiences heavy rainfall, so it's essential to consider the weather conditions while planning your visit. Strangely when we visit, it was humid climate with no rainfall
    • Trekking Preparations: Wear comfortable trekking shoes, carry water, and be prepared for varying trail conditions.
    • Responsible Tourism: Follow responsible tourism practices, such as avoiding littering and respecting local customs.