The Air Force Museum Shillong is located near Elephant Falls. This Air Force museum is part of the Indian Air Force’s eastern command in Shillong. This museum displays uniforms won by various Air Force pilots, missiles, rockets, pictures of wars, medals and miniature aircraft models. The MI-4 helicopter, which played a main role in the 1971 war, is displayed on the lawn. Foreigners are not allowed into this museum, and Indian visitors should have a valid photo identity. This museum is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It is closed on Mondays and national holidays. The entry fee to this museum is 20 rupees per person.
Places To Visit Near The Air Force Museum Shillong
Here are a few places to visit near the Air Force Museum in Shillong for an amazing trip.
1. Cathedral Of Mary Help Of Christians
Image Credit: Simbu123 for Wikipedia
The Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians is located in Shillong. It is a cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese. It was built over 50 years ago and has become a place of worship for more than 3,42,169 Catholics in Shillong. It was built in 1913 by the first Catholic missionaries to this hill. The building of this church has high arches and stained glass windows.
The church is named after Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. There are 14 cross stations inside the church. There are also scenes in this church that depict the suffering and death of Jesus Christ that the art institute in Munich, Germany, has produced. Beautiful works of art inside the charge portray scenes from holy scripture and the lives of saints. This church is open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., and it takes nearly 2 hours to explore.
Location: HV9R+CFP Cathedral of Mary Help of Christians, Laitumkhrah, Shillong, Meghalaya 793003
Timings: 7:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Must Read: Places To Visit In Shillong
2. Don Bosco Museum
Image Credit: Arindambasu2 for Wikimedia Commons
Don Bosco Museum is a well-known centre for indigenous culture located in the Sacred Heart Church in Shillong. It is also one of the most famous museums in Shillong and a must-visit place. This museum opened in 2003 and talks about the northeastern states’ history and culture. The structure of this museum is hexagonal and has seven floors depicting art and culture. It also has 17 international-standard galleries containing fibreglass figures, artefacts, musical instruments, costumes, ornaments, paintings and many more. There are also a few galleries, such as a language gallery, an agriculture gallery, a musical instrument gallery, and a photo gallery. Visitors can also witness a rare dance form of the northeast on the topmost floor of the museum.
The research centre in this museum is known as the North Eastern Institute for Research in Anthropology, which studies various themes relating to the diverse factors of India’s North Eastern areas. The library in this museum has nearly 1,10,437 volumes regarding the study and cultural aspects of North East India. The museum also has a beautiful skywalk where visitors can get a stunning view of Shillong City. This place is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in the summer and 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the winter. It is closed on Sundays. The entry fee to the Don Bosco Museum is Rs 100 for Indians and Rs 200 for foreigners.
Location: Mawlai Phudmuri, Mawlai Mawdatbaki, Shillong, Meghalaya 793008
Timings: 9:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. in summer, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in winter and closed on Sundays
3. Lady Hydari Park
Image Credit: ANKAN for Wikimedia Commons
Lady Hydari Park is a public park at the heart of Shillong. It is also known as Phan Nonglait Park, the only park in Shillong with a zoo, and it is one of the most beautiful places in Shillong. This park is named after the wife of the governor of Assam. This ark is entirely designed in the Japanese garden style and is spread over more than 1 km. The garden has small ponds, rhododendron plants, and trees with leaves almost touching the ground, all inspired by the Japanese.
This park has a variety of local flowering plants and orchids. It also has a wide variety of animal species in the mini zoo, where there are 73 species of birds, 140 species of reptiles and many other mammals. It also has houses of deer abodes. This park also has a museum that displays the state’s biodiversity with pictures of the region’s rare animals, such as elephant tusks and stuffed leopards. The park is open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and closed on Mondays with an entry fee of 10 rupees per person and Rs 10 for the camera.
Location: Lady Hydari Park, Lower, Lachumiere, Shillong, Meghalaya 793001
Timings: 8 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and closed on Mondays
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Shillong
4. Umiam Lake
Image Credit: Benoy for Wikipedia
Umiam Lake is a famous tourist destination in Shillong, also known as Bara Pani. It is a reservoir in the hills, 15 km North of Shillong. It was created after damming the Onion River in the 1960s. Two lakes are flowing in this river: Wah Umkhrah Lake and Wah Umshyrpi Lake. This lake is a famous tourist destination for many water sports and adventures like kayaking, water cycling, scooting and boating. The Umiam dam was built in the early 1960s by the Assam State Electricity Board. It was built to store water for hydroelectric power generation. Umiam Stage 1 was the first reservoir storage hydroelectricity project in the north-eastern parts of India. This lake also provides water for irrigation fisheries and drinking water for local anthropogenic needs.
Due to its rising upstream, the lake has become highly polluted. The rivers in the lakes have become drains in Shillong City and carry household and market sewage and industrial waste into the lake. But the snake has one of the most beautiful views, especially during sunset. The lake is open throughout the day, but the public’s water sports activities are open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. It takes nearly 2 hours to explore this place. The entry fee for water sports activities is 20 rupees for kayaking, Rs 200 for skiing, Rs 50 for scooters, Rs 50 for river bus and Rs 100 for yachting.
Location: MW92+WCJ Umiam Lake, Umiam, Meghalaya 793103
Timings: The lake is open throughout the day, and for watersports, it is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
5. Mawphlang Sacred Grove
Image Credit: Daniel Romanson for Wikimedia Commons
The Mawphlang sacred grove, located in Mawphlang village near Shillong, is a reserved forest. It is also known as Lawkyntang, the best destination for nature lovers and one of Shillong’s most beautiful tourist places. It is situated in the east of Khasi hills, and it is believed that natives from ancient times have preserved it in this forest, which is considered to be very sacred. The entire area covered by the forest is 80 hectares, and this holy grove is home to many rare medicinal trees and plants, such as the English yew, the Chinese sumac, and many more. It also has many species of trees that work as climate indicators, like Japanese blue oak and graffiti. There are nearly 450 species of plants in this forest, as well as rare animals and birds.
One strict rule followed in this forest is that nobody is allowed to take anything from it, not even a leaf. Some people have tried to take things and become sick, and some have even reported being dead. A three-day monolith festival is held here to signify tribal heritage and culture, and the forest is believed to be alive during these three days. The forest is open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. with an entry fee of Rs 20 per person, Rs 20 for a camera and 300 rupees for a guide. There are two routes to look around the forest. One is the short route, which takes nearly 40 minutes and the long road, which takes 90 minutes. A guide should be taken along with the tourists while visiting the place.
Location: Mawphlang Sacred Forest, Nongrum, Synrang Kaban, Meghalaya 793121
Timings: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Further Read: Trekking In Shillong
Now that you have a list of things to remember while travelling to the Air Force Museum, plan your trip to Shillong to have a fantastic journey. Learn about the history and ancient information about the Indian Air Force, which features plane models, weaponry, and souvenirs. Do not forget to book the itinerary to Air Force Museum Shillong in advance and spend the vacation with your loved ones.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Air Force Museum Shillong
Where is the Air Force Museum located?
The Air Force Museum is located near the elephant waterfalls. By air, Umroi Airport, also known as Shillong Airport, is 30 km away. From there, people can take a local taxi or bus, available all around Shillong.
What are some famous places near the Air Force Museum in Shillong?
There are many places near this museum, such as Elephant Falls, Laitlum Canyons, Don Bosco Museum, Umiam Lake, Double Decker Bridge, David Scott Trail, and more.
What is the ideal time to visit Shillong?
The ideal time to visit Shillong is between March and June because the climate is pleasant, there is fresh air, and the sky is clear for many activities, such as trekking and mountain biking.
Can any tourists visit the Air Force Museum?
Only Indian residents can visit the museum. Foreigners are not allowed. Indians visiting this museum should deposit their identity card and take it only while leaving.
What is the Air Force Museum famous for?
The Air Force Museum in Shillong is famous for showing various army aircraft. It also provides information about the historical wars in the north-eastern side of India and the types of equipment used.
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