Mawlynnong: A Guide to Asia’s Cleanest Village
Planning a trip to Meghalaya, India? Don’t miss your chance to visit Mawlynnong! This is the ultimate guide to Asia’s cleanest village with everything you need to know.
Mawlynnong is a beautiful small village situated in the north eastern state of Meghalaya in India. It gained popularity after being published as the cleanest village in Asia in 2003. Two years later it was again praised for being the cleanest village in India.
The village itself is very small and many tourists add Mawlynnong as a small stop during a bigger trip because it can be seen in a few hours. Unlike the major cities of India which are overpopulated, Mawlynnong is spacious and well-maintained by the small population who lives there.
I visited Mawlynnong with my husband and good friend and we had an amazing time there! It was a short and sweet experience walking through the village. Certainly a breath of fresh air compared to the city vibes we were used to seeing in India!
Mawlynnong is near to the most famous living root bridges, which is another popular destination for travelers. The living root bridges are really breathtaking and are real bridges formed by shaping trees over time. Indigenous people who lived in the area for centuries understood how to develop the bridges and it’s like magic.
To learn about the best time to visit Mawlynnong, how to get there, places to stay, things to do and more, this guide will help you plan your trip!
This post is all about Mawlynnong, India.
Mawlynnong, Meghalaya: Asia’s Cleanest Village
Best Time to Visit Mawlynnong
The best time to visit Mawlynnong is anytime between October – May, depending on what weather you prefer.
October – November is generally dry and cool with temperatures ranging around 54-68 Fahrenheit (12-20 C).
December – February is winter and can feel a bit cold with average temperatures in the 50s (10-15 C). Winter is the driest season though, so if you are really particular about not wanting any rain, that’s your best bet.
March – May is summer and is great for outdoor activities and sightseeing. The temperatures are usually between 60-75 Fahrenheit (15-24 C) and are generally dry.
Do not travel to Mawlynnong from June – September as it’s monsoon season. If you do, expect a lot of rain and be prepared that it will rain daily. This region in Meghalaya receives some of the heaviest rainfall in all of the country! While monsoon season can be beautiful, it’s not always great for outdoor activities and can cause landslides in the region making travel difficult.
Travel to Mawlynnong (How to get there and how to get around)
Mawlynnong is a tiny remote village in Meghalaya, so transportation options are limited. You will need to hire a taxi or driver to take you there unless you are comfortable renting a car and driving yourself.
I’d highly recommend getting a driver. Bus is an alternative option but not recommended because it will be difficult to get around places when you get off the bus (ie. getting to a hotel or stay with all your luggage) and having a car is more convenient.
You can find a driver from the nearest major city, Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya. Mawlynnong is 80-90 km from Shillong and will be a 3.5-4 hour drive. Driving around Meghalaya can be time consuming with unexpected traffic or road conditions that will make the ride longer, so just be prepared!
There is an airport in Shillong and it will be easy to hire a driver from there. I’d highly recommend getting a driver for your trip who can stay with you the whole time. If you’re traveling to Mawlynnong, you should also plan other places to visit so having a driver is nice.
We paid about 40k INR (about $480) for 10 days and it was totally worth it. He not only brought us to different villages we wanted to see, but also had great recommendations, knew the areas well, and it was handy to have someone to bring us anywhere we needed at any time (you know, when you’re hungry and lazy to walk and find a restaurant).
Alternatively, you can also hire a driver or take a bus from Guwahati which is the capital city of Assam, the neighboring state. It’s about a 6 hour drive and you will pass through Shillong.
Best Places to Stay in Mawlynnong
Many travelers don’t actually stay in Mawlynnong because it’s a small village that can be seen in a few hours. It is usually more of an added stop in a bigger trip.
There are options available though if you choose to stay! The best choice is to stay in a small guest house. There are not really hotels unless you stay outside the village at a nearby place.
It will be between $20-50 USD per night to stay in the village. You can search online or Airbnb has a lot of options to choose from.
We stayed at a hotel in Shillong and took a day trip to see Mawlynnong and the living root bridges, then we went to Dawki and camped for 2 nights along the river at Shnongpden. That worked great for us and I’d recommend the same for others who have time to explore the area and like camping.
Things to Do in Mawlynnong
The most important thing to do in Mawlynnong is walk through the village! It’s a very cute, clean village that you can walk entirely. Enjoy strolling among the streets and take in the beauty of the homes along the way. Stop for a snack or meal too!
You’ll notice that Mawlynnong is clearly environmentally conscious. There are garbage bins regularly placed around the village and plastic bags are banned.
Balancing Rock of Mawlynnong
The Balancing Rock in Mawlynnong is a huge boulder that sits on a smaller rock in a way that looks like it’s defying gravity. It’s pretty cool to see how perfectly balanced it is! It’s near to the center of the village and you can pass by it as you’re walking through the town.
Tree House Viewpoint
The viewpoint is another stop along the stroll through Mawlynnong. It’s a small tree house made of bamboo. You climb up the bridges and there’s a small seating area at the top. It offers a beautiful view of the village and the lush greenery all around. This is a great stop for taking photos!
Church of the Epiphany
The Church of the Epiphany is a nice sight to see while walking through the village. There’s not much to do there, but you can appreciate the beauty! It’s a cute church and the architecture fits into the style of the rest of the village.
Nearby Destinations
Living Root Bridges
The living root bridges are by far the most popular attraction near Mawlynnong. You can take a day trip to see both the living root bridges and Mawlynnong, which is what many tourists do.
Living root bridges are essentially bridges made out of living tree roots. People from local tribes have been creating them for centuries by training the roots to grow in specific directions.
The bridges are a stunning example of sustainable engineering by using the natural growth of plants. They are strong, sturdy and especially beautiful!
The most famous living root bridges are in Cherrapunji which is around 3 hours drive from Mawlynnong. There are many root bridges in the area, but the double decker living root bridge is really stunning! It’s a moderate hike to get there and there’s a small waterfall and lake too.
The hikes and views in this area are seriously amazing! It’s 100% worth taking the time to hike around and take in nature. This is one of the most beautiful hikes I have ever done in India!
Dawki (Umngot River)
Umngot River is beautiful and famous for its crystal-clear waters! There are a lot of places to camp along the river. It’s the perfect area to unwind and enjoy nature.
You can enjoy kayaking, nearby hikes, walking across a huge bridge over the river, and sit at a campfire when the sun goes down.
Dawki is about 1.5 hours driving from Mawlynonng. However, it could be longer depending on the roads. It ended up taking us several hours to get there because traffic along the mountains was backed up and the roads are really skinny, so any small hiccup creates a big traffic jam. Worth it though!
Mawphlang Sacred Forest
Mawphlang Sacred Forest is a unique and off-beat experience that I would highly recommend! It was suggested by our driver who is near the area and I’m so glad we went.
There is a ton of open grassy area outside the forest where many people were playing and hanging out. We went with a guide through the forest which I recommend because what’s interesting is the story behind the sacred forest.
It’s an ancient forest which is believed to protect the nearby areas. Along with stunning nature, you’ll see various sacrificial sites. No one is ever allowed to take anything from the forest and it’s treated with a deep respect by locals and visitors alike.
Mawphlang Sacred Forest is 71 km from Mawlynnong, about a 2.5-3 hour drive. It’s near Shillong, so it’s a perfect stop for anyone traveling around Meghalaya!
Packing and Outfit Ideas
Since the weather is generally cool-mild if you are traveling anytime between October – May, it’s best to pack layers! You don’t likely need shorts, and as a small village it wouldn’t be common to see anyone else showing so much skin. Conservative clothes would be the norm.
Layers are great for outdoor activities because you can bundle up and remove clothing if it gets hot in the day (and nights can get really cold!). If you are traveling during monsoon season, be sure to bring rain gear because you are bound to get caught in the rain!For more details on what to include in your suitcase, check out this Ultimate India Packing List!
Extra Tips for Traveling to Mawlynnong
- Mawlynnong is a beautiful village but also very small, so be prepared to plan other stops around the area!
- Be sure to carry cash. You might want to get some food, chai, or souvenir, but most places will accept cash. There are no ATMs in the village.
- Have fun! Mawlynnong is a unique village and you won’t see any other place like it in India. Soak in the picturesque scenes of the town and appreciate their eco-friendly initiatives!
This post was all about Mawlynnong, India.
