Mawlynnong

The Cleanest Village in Asia

The unique village of Mawlynnong carries a fitting local description — “God’s Own Garden.” Located about three hours’ drive from Shillong, this carefully maintained hamlet has earned international recognition as the cleanest village in Asia, shaped by a deeply rooted culture of environmental responsibility. Mawlynnong is home to a close-knit and highly conscious community, where cleanliness is not a campaign but a daily practice. Each morning and evening, residents methodically clear even the smallest traces of debris, placing waste into traditional bamboo receptacles, ensuring that not a single speck of trash is visible anywhere in the village.

Sustainability is woven into everyday life in Mawlynnong. Composting, rainwater harvesting, and recycling are practiced collectively, while plastic is completely banned within the village boundaries. These measures reflect a long-standing relationship between the community and its natural surroundings rather than a response to tourism. For travellers exploring Mawlynnong Meghalaya, the village offers insight into how environmental care and social discipline coexist naturally.

Beyond its reputation for cleanliness, Mawlynnong reveals a quiet visual charm. Cobbled pathways edged with wildflowers wind through gardens and orchards, leading visitors toward the Anglican Church of Epiphany. This historic church, one of the earliest in Northeast India, blends European design elements with traditional Khasi architectural features. At one edge of the village, a tall bamboo viewing platform rises above the canopy, offering a bird’s-eye view across the surrounding landscape and stretching all the way to the plains of Bangladesh. The valleys around Mawlynnong are rich with vegetation, and one of the region’s well-known Living Root Bridges lies nearby, reinforcing the village’s connection to nature, tradition, and sustainable living.

Activities in Mawlynnong

Nature Hiking - Eco-conscious living is deeply rooted in this region, and the landscape surrounding Mawlynnong reflects this philosophy through its remarkable natural diversity and visual richness. Nature hiking here is not limited to long treks; even casual village walks unfold as immersive experiences filled with bird sightings, vibrant butterfly movements, and the constant presence of waterfalls—both large and small—hidden within forested folds.MORE

Discovering unknown root bridges - Beyond the well-known Riwai and Nongriat living root bridges, Meghalaya is home to hundreds of lesser-known examples, many of which remain unknown to outsiders. The southern Khasi Hills, particularly around Dawki and Pynursla, contain a high concentration of these natural structures. Built deep within forested valleys by local villagers, these bridges often remain hidden from conventional travel routes.MORE

Village tour - The residents of Mawlynnong village are known for their warmth and hospitality, and a guided village tour is often an integral part of any visit. Villagers take great pride in their meticulously maintained surroundings, and this sense of collective care is visible throughout the settlement. Almost every household features a stone with a cavity used for collecting rainwater, which explains the village’s name—"maw lynnong, stone with cavity".MORE

Meeting locals - The Khasi way of life is grounded in a close relationship with nature and a strong sense of community. Known for their generosity and openness, the people of the southern Khasi Hills have embraced tourism thoughtfully, balancing hospitality with cultural integrity. Mawlynnong, in particular, reflects this approach, where visitors are welcomed not as spectators but as participants in everyday life.MORE

Attractions in Mawlynnong

Dawki River
Situated along the divide between the Khasi and Jaintia Hills, Dawki lies roughly an hour’s drive from Mawlynnong and feels like a real-life fairy-tale setting. This is where the Umngot River leaves India and flows into Bangladesh. The surrounding landscape is marked by limestone cliffs, small waterfalls, and forested slopes, with several hiking trails leading to viewpoints and riverbanks. Dawki has become a draw for nature and adventure seekers, with river-based adventure camps located just outside the town.
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Krangsuri Falls
Located away from the main tourist circuit, Krangsuri Falls is one of southern Meghalaya’s most striking natural sights. Around two hours’ drive from Mawlynnong, reaching the falls involves navigating a narrow road followed by a gentle descent along stone paths. Long before the waterfall comes into view, its sound announces its presence. Water flows smoothly over a flat ridge before plunging into a moderately deep pool of intense blue, creating a visually arresting scene.
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Living root bridge & Riwai Village
Just 8 kilometres from Mawlynnong lies the village of Riwai, a quiet settlement that has embraced clean and green eco-tourism inspired by its well-known neighbour. Residents take pride in maintaining their surroundings and preserving their cultural and natural heritage. One of Riwai’s key attractions is its Living Root Bridge, which, while smaller in size, is among the oldest and best-maintained examples in Meghalaya.
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Bophill Falls
Bophill Falls is another lesser-known waterfall, situated along an alternate road connecting Dawki and Mawlynnong. Due to its location, it receives few visitors, preserving its unspoiled character. During the monsoon season, the waterfall becomes a powerful torrent, cascading over a wide cliff and flowing through the valley toward the Bangladesh plains.
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Kudengrim Falls
Kudengrim village is set amid dense, old-growth forest, offering a deeply immersive natural environment. Close to the village is a well-preserved living root bridge, reachable within a 20-minute walk. Beyond this point lies a wide, three-tier waterfall that feeds a clear stream winding through the forest. The waterfall flows like a sheet over smooth granite rock, and the approach involves crossing narrow bamboo walkways built over the stream, at times passing directly through shallow flowing water. Visitors should expect to step from rock to rock and get slightly wet along the way. Kudengrim is approximately a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Mawlynnong, with Dawki located midway, making it a feasible addition to a Mawlynnong sightseeing route.
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Dawki Falls
Located about 5 kilometres from Dawki, Dawki Falls—also known as Byrdaw Falls—is a lesser-known but distinctive waterfall near the village of Pomshutia. Reaching it requires a short forest walk of around 30 minutes, followed by a descent via a cement staircase to the base of the falls.
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Pynursla
Perched on a ridge overlooking deep, forested valleys, the small town of Pynursla is particularly appealing to landscape photographers. A network of hiking trails connects surrounding villages, leading travellers through varied terrain. It is common to move from humid forested valleys into open meadows ringed with pine trees within short distances.
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