Mawlynnong
A tidy Khasi village with a root bridge on its doorstep
Mawlynnong became famous in 2003, when a travel magazine called it the cleanest village in Asia, and it has been working to deserve the title ever since. Bamboo dustbins stand at every corner, paths are swept each morning, smoking and plastic are discouraged, and every household tends a garden of flowers and betel nut. The village is home to a few hundred Khasi people, mostly Christian, who earn their living from broom grass, areca nut and, increasingly, visitors.
The attraction is partly the village itself, a calm grid of houses with bamboo fences and flower beds, and partly what lies around it. A few minutes away at Riwai is a single living root bridge that is easy to reach, a good alternative for those who cannot manage the steps at Nongriat. A bamboo platform built into a tall tree gives views over the forest to the plains of Bangladesh, and a natural balancing rock sits on a smaller stone near the church.
Since January 2026 the village has barred day visitors on Sundays, while overnight guests remain welcome. We plan visits for weekdays and Saturdays, ideally as part of a Dawki day from Shillong, arriving after lunch when the morning tour groups have left.
Highlights
What Mawlynnong does best
A single root bridge crosses a forest stream at Riwai, the neighbouring village, a short walk down steps from the road. It is much easier to reach than Nongriat and shows the same craft: rubber fig roots trained across the water and woven into a strong, living walkway.
Mawlynnong's paths are lined with bamboo fences, flower gardens and bamboo dustbins. Walk slowly with your guide past houses raised on stone, the church and the community garden, and learn how the village organises its daily cleaning and its rules for visitors.
A tall bamboo structure built around a tree lets you climb above the forest canopy. From the top platform you see across the treetops to the flat plains of Bangladesh. The climb is steady, and a small fee goes to the family who maintain it.
Near the village, a large boulder rests on a much smaller stone in a way that seems unlikely to last. It is a natural formation and a local landmark, with stories attached that your guide will tell. It takes ten minutes and is worth the detour.
Several households serve simple lunches to visitors: rice, local chicken or pork, lentils, greens and chutneys. Eating in a family kitchen, with time to talk, is one of the best ways to understand Khasi village life.
Experiences
Four hours to plan around
Getting there
How to reach Mawlynnong
Fly to Guwahati (GAU) and spend at least a night in Shillong. Mawlynnong is about 2.5 hours from Shillong, so about 5 hours from the airport without a break.
Guwahati is the nearest railway station, about 180 km away. There is no railway in Meghalaya's hills.
From Shillong, follow the Dawki road through Pynursla and turn off at the signed junction, about 80 km and 2.5 hours in all. The final approach is a narrow but paved road. Dawki is about an hour away, so the two are visited together. You travel with a licensed driver.
Where to stay
Rooms we book
Mawlynnong has simple homestays and a few bamboo tree-house rooms, some with shared bathrooms. They are clean and friendly, and a night here lets you see the village after the day visitors leave and on Sundays, when overnight guests are exempt from the day-visitor ban. For comfort, we base guests in Shillong at Ri Kynjai or Tripura Castle and visit Mawlynnong as part of a long day with Dawki.
From our planners
Five things to know
- Day visitors are barred on Sundays since January 2026; overnight guests are exempt. Check current status before you travel.
- Keep every scrap of litter with you or use the bamboo bins, and do not smoke in the village.
- Ask before photographing people or entering gardens; this is a home, not a museum.
- Arrive after 1 pm to avoid the morning tour groups, and visit Dawki first while the light is high.
- Small fees apply for the village, the root bridge, the sky view and parking, so carry cash.
Questions travellers ask
Questions about Mawlynnong
How far is Mawlynnong from Shillong?
About 80 km, which takes around 2.5 hours by car via Pynursla on the Dawki road. Most visitors combine it with Dawki, about an hour further, in one long day. Leave Shillong by 7 am to see both without rushing.
Is Mawlynnong worth visiting?
Yes, if you combine it with the Riwai root bridge and Dawki. The village is pleasant, clean and well organised, and the easy root bridge is a highlight for families. On its own it is a short visit, so we rarely make it a separate day.
Can I visit Mawlynnong on Sunday?
No, if you are a day visitor. Since January 2026 the village has barred day visitors on Sundays, while guests staying overnight are exempt. Plan your visit for Monday to Saturday, and check current status before you travel.
What is the best time to visit Mawlynnong?
October to April. The weather is dry and pleasant, and paths and steps are safe. The monsoon months bring heavy rain and slippery steps to the root bridge, though the forest is very green. Combine your visit with Dawki between November and April, when the river is clear.
Where can I stay near Mawlynnong?
The village has simple homestays and bamboo tree-house rooms, some with shared bathrooms. There is no luxury option nearby. Most of our guests stay in Shillong, at Ri Kynjai or Tripura Castle, and visit Mawlynnong as a long day trip with Dawki.
Is Mawlynnong suitable for children?
Very. The village is safe, car-free in its lanes and full of gardens. The Riwai root bridge is a short walk with steps, and the bamboo sky view is fun for older children with supervision. Keep younger children close on the sky view ladders.
Are there rules for visitors in Mawlynnong?
Yes. Do not litter, smoke or pick flowers, and ask before photographing people or entering private gardens. Pay the small entry fees at the gate. Respect the Sunday rest day, when day visitors are not allowed. Following these rules keeps the village open to visitors.
How long do I need in Mawlynnong?
Two to three hours covers the village walk, the Riwai root bridge, the bamboo sky view and the balancing rock. Add an hour for a home-cooked lunch. Overnight stays suit travellers who want quiet evenings and an early morning in the village.
Is there a living root bridge at Mawlynnong?
Yes, at Riwai, the neighbouring village about 2 km away. A stepped path of about 10 minutes leads down to a single living root bridge over a forest stream. It is the easiest root bridge to reach in Meghalaya.
Nearby
Pair it with
The glass-clear Umngot river on the Bangladesh border
Pine ridges, Khasi markets and a lake resort at the edge of town
The double-decker root bridge, about 3,000 steps below Sohra
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