Located in the heart of Meghalaya, in the West Jaintia Hills district, a small town by the name of Jowai is packed with beautiful lakes, waterfalls, and numerous other culturally significant locations that make up Jowai’s main highlights. Scenic vistas of the vast grassy slopes and the Myntdu river, which surrounds Jowai on three sides, impart a mystical ambience to the region and add immense beauty to its existing attractiveness. Visitors travel to Jowai to explore its sylvan lifestyle and experience its local culture, which is seeped into every aspect of the town. Read on to know more about some of the best things to do when in Jowai.

Tyrshi Falls is connected to the green paddy fields of Pynthor Nein through a bridge, from where travellers get to enjoy breath-taking panoramic views of the rice valley. Visitors usually prefer to trek to the bottom of the waterfall through this arch bridge, where they get to see milky water from the falls gushing down from a magnificent height. Travellers are often sprayed with water from the falls from quite a distance on the bridge, such is the intensity of Tyrshi Fall’s flow.

The Nartiang Monoliths are situated in the Nartiang Village, which is most popular for the ruins of the Summer Palace located on a hillock here; a Hindu temple dedicated to goddess Durga is also situated nearby and is frequented by local devotees. While monoliths can be found all over Meghalaya, the ones found in Nartiang are the largest collection of its kind in the state; a place that has literally been named the ‘Garden of Monoliths’. They consist of numerous stones from different eras in history and are some of the oldest structures in the region. Covering an area of 100 metres in diameter, the upright stones are locally known as Ki Moo Shynrang and the flat stones are known as Ki Moo Kynthai. The largest stones are called Moo Long Syiem. The monoliths offer great insight into the historical significance of this place and detail the times they were set up here by the tribal kings.

The Krang Suri Waterfall is one of the most beautiful locations in the district with lovely scenic surroundings. Cascading down from a height of 40 feet, the waterfall has a calm and peaceful ambience and is situated in an offbeat location that can be reached after a 30-minute trek up a steep stone path leading from the parking spot in the Amlarem village to Krang Suri waterfall. On the way to the falls, travellers get to enjoy mesmerizing views of the gushing water from the top of the falls, and down through the forests to culminate into smaller waterfalls. The local administration has made facilities for visitors to participate in water sport activities here, with bathrooms and changing rooms available as well. The water is always so inviting that most visitors often can’t help themselves from taking a dip. Life jackets are compulsory though and one should be wary of the cold water before deciding to jump in.

The Umlawan Caves in Lumshnong village are one of Meghalaya’s deepest and largest caves and are interconnected with the Koti Sati and Umskor Caves. More than 100 metres deep and 21 km long, the caves are known for their magnificent formations that have been created from numerous stalactites and stalagmites present here. One of the entrances of the caves lies within Lumshnong village itself and is used by the villagers as a washing spot. There are 24 other entrances, both vertical and horizontal, which means every part of the cave is just an hour away from the nearest entrance. 

The Jarain Pitcher Plant Lake, as the name suggests, is famous for being located right in the centre of a 50,000 sq. metre garden of the carnivorous and endangered pitcher plants. Gravel footpaths and arch bridges are present all over the garden to allow visitors to admire these plants up close. There’s also a giant fountain in the middle of the lake shaped like the pitcher plant. Boat rides are quite common on the Jarain Lake and one of the most popular things tourists like to do after they are done admiring the unique pitcher plants.

Syntu Ksair literally translates to ‘flower of gold’ in the local language; the name for this scenic stretch of land located along the banks of river Myntdu has been derived from a local legend. According to the residents of the region, a woman called Syntu committed suicide by jumping into the Myntdu river. A beautiful golden flower is believed to have bloomed in the spot where she drowned that apparently cannot be plucked by anyone. Syntu Ksair is also renowned for being the centre of the freedom struggle that was led by Nangbah; a memorial dedicated to him has been constructed here as well. Families often come here to enjoy picnics and spend some time relaxing in the scenic beauty of the place. A bunch of fast-food joints around the spot are great for indulging in a bite or two.

The Thlumuwi Stone Bridge was originally built by the Jaintia Kings over Muwi stream to be used as a crossing between their winter capital in Jaintiapur and their summer capital in Nartiang. After being used for more than 500 years, it was broken when an elephant tried to cross it. The present-day stone structure was built less than a century ago and is now used by travellers to reach the Thlumuwi Falls situated nearby.

Thadlaskein Lake is a manmade lake that was dug by the people of almost 300 tribes to escape the attacks of the Jaintiapur king of the time. Fed by a perennial spring, the lake is worshipped by the Raid Mukhala tribe till today, who also offer sacrifices near the water body each year. Thadlaskein Lake is situated about 60 km from Jowai and makes for the perfect weekend getaway from the town. Travellers can simply hire a car to get here and enjoy picnics and boating activities on the lake. Surrounded by lovely meadows and beautiful flora and fauna, the lake region is a paradise for nature lovers. There’s also a guest house here with decent services and a warm welcome for the guests.

The Ialong Park is one of the most popular tourist spots in the region. Best known for their sacred groves and beautiful views of the Pynthorwah Valley, the eco-tourism in this area is constantly being redeveloped under the Special DRDA Tourism Project by the district administration to bring in more tourists and even locals. The park is spread over an area of almost 13 hectares and has comfortable lodges for the convenience of those who’d like to spend some extra time amongst the mesmerizing beauty and grassy slopes of Ialong Park. Enjoying the views of at least one sunset at the park should be on everyone’s to-do list when visiting Jowai.