Main Info
Guwahati
Guwahati Tourism
Guwahati is an ancient city that has adopted modernization. The city is known as the largest amongst the cities in Assam. Guwahati is a city that gives you the ancient feel yet very modern, it is a city with numerous ancient temples. Looking at the facade, the first impression of the city is that of solitude but the reverse is the case. The city’s nightlife gives it a staunch modern presence. The Brahmaputra river is believed to carry with it several boundless stories dating as far back as the origin of Guwahati. The air surrounding the city is one that blows peace notwithstanding the modern lifestyle the city has, this is one of the major reasons why you should endeavor to pay the city a visit.
The temples in Guwahati all have various myths and legends behind their existence. The Kamakhya temple which is described by locals to be the most visited of all temples in Guwahati, is dedicated to the goddess of desire called Kamakhya. The temple which is known for a legend told countless times, holds a renowned annual convention called Manasha Puja and the Ambubachi Mela celebrations which see pilgrims from all parts of the world and all works of life gather to attend them. There are several other temples worth visiting that will blow your mind away. Some of the temples are the Umananda temple and the Navagraha temple. If you will like to explore the folklore of the Guwahati people, then a perfect place for you to visit is the Assam State Museum where several artifacts dating back to centuries before civilization are kept. The museum will give you more than a sneak peek into how Guwahati and its people developed over the years. Another worthy visit is the zoo in Guwahati. Like several other zoos, the Guwahati zoo houses various animals like rhinos, monkeys, various types of birds, giraffe and so many more animals. The zoo is also the biggest in the whole of North East India and is called the Assam State Zoo.
Night in Guwahati gives the city a whole different feel. Once the sun sets, there’s a whole lot of exciting tours. Such as parties, street food, various types of liquor, locally mixed liquor as well, some more food varieties, boat rides, walks in beautiful parks that lights up beautifully at night clubs where people can dance all night, love spots where couples can sit and enjoy the several beautiful views. There is always something for everyone at night in Guwahati city. Some of the most talked-about places to visit at night are Terra Maya, Underdoggs, Kamakaze, and Café Hendrix to mention just a few. It is no surprise that these places are open until dawn. These places and activities make up for the best nightlife experience in Guwahati.
A visit to Guwahati isn’t complete without shopping. Guwahati is notable for two of the biggest markets (Paan Bazar and Fancy Bazar) where people can shop varieties of woolen shawls, cane work, Naga/Manipuri jackets, handloom etc these are the items that attract buyers from India.
A look at what both markets (Paan Bazar and Fancy Bazar) have to offer:
Paan bazar – this market is located somewhere around the Nehru Park, the paan bazaar market is an important place for book and apparel lovers to stop and shop. It may not offer top-notch diversity but it’s priority goods which are traditional materials are not always easy to find in modern markets. It is also a good stop to buy food and drinks after shopping to quench thirst and fill one’s stomach.
Fancy Bazar – this is the biggest market in Guwahati and is notable for its varieties. The market also offers street shopping and is divided into several fractions. Each fraction of the market has a focus on a particular type of goods. For instance; you can shop for shoes, bags, clothes, electronics, and various household items. The CM complex is notably the best place anyone can purchase household items as it offers a variety of products at very good prices. The Fancy Bazar arguably competes with some of the best markets in India due to its varieties, size and low prices of goods.
Asides The Paan and the Fancy Bazar, there are some other notable markets in Guwahati: GS road Market, Paltan Bazaar and the Maligoan Market.
GS road market – this is known as the international market as it offers both local brands and international brands like Allen Solly, Puma, Bottega Veneta and Furla and much more. The market is often filled with shoppers during the holiday season because of the discounts on prices, quality and the variety of goods available.
Maligaon Market – The market is notable for its exquisite restaurants, food stalls and eastern food. It offers both local and inter dishes and is famous for its steamed momos. In the Maligoan Market, there is a section of beautiful textiles and commercial goods.
Paltan Bazaar – the market is also called ‘the furniture market’ or ‘tea market’ this is due to the varieties of beautiful furniture and lovely materials for decorating homes. The tea market is home to the Assam Tea and Darjeeling Tea. There are several other things you can buy from the market when you stop by to shop.
Guwahati is often called the gateway to the North-East. Guwahati proudly shows off true nature’s beauty, wonderful tradition, and a very loveable culture. The locals in Guwahati are very friendly, peaceful and accommodating. It is a very large city and in fact the largest in the whole of North-East India. It is also often called ‘the city of temples’. The temples in Guwahati have serious religious significance.
One of the most peculiar features of this city is its diversity. It would interest you to know that Guwahati was once known as Pragjyotishpur or the City of Eastern Lights. The city is endowed with flora and fauna that adds to its peculiar features.
If you are passionate about adventures then Guwahati city is a place for you to be. Various adventures await lovers of adventures like; riding the elephant in Kaziranga National Park, mountain biking, trekking, mountain climbing, angling amongst several others. There is also a boat cruise on the peaceful Brahmaputra river.
There is also the chance to take part in motorcycle and bicycle rallies which the state’s department of tourism organizes. The mountain biking sports is one for those with high adventure spirits. This sport involves climbing mountains with bikes. The city is peaceful and perfect for some of the lovely adventures mentioned above. Tourists who come here, do well to engage in more than one of the sporting activities before leaving.
Dining Options in Guwahati
When it comes to food both local and intercontinental, Guwahati city is a place to be. Some of the local foods found in Guwahati city are; a fish and ginger curry called Nga-Thongba, Erongba, a jackfruit-kernel chutney, Laksa and so much more. These are the local Assamese food offered in Guwahati. The international menu also rich with foods from different countries like; cakes and pastries, assorted bread, several Chinese dishes, various types of Pizza and soups. It also offers exquisite Indian continental dishes that leave you wanting more. The varieties of foods offered in Guwahati can’t be found in most of the states as most of them offer only local dishes. This is one of the reasons why Guwahati is a gem. Along with the ranges of food offered, you can sit down at the pubs and bars to drink, wind off the day’s activities, relax and watch beau people in the city.
Itinerary
The best way to plan your visit and stay will be discussed below.
- Either way, you choose to travel to Guwahati, by bus or by air, when arriving in Guwahati, do well to check in to the hotel you already booked or you plan to book. It is always advisable you book before arrival to avoid a shortage of rooms. After checking in, freshen up and get ready to do some unforgettable sightseeing. It is advisable you hire a cab from any of the taxi services. One of such services is Prime Cabs. This will enable you to tour the wonders of the city inconvenience. Prepare to visit the Kamakhya Temple, a very religious temple which is located on top of Nilachal hill. After the visit to Kamakhya, the next place to go to is the Guwahati Planetarium which is less than a half-hour drive from Kamakhya Temple. The drive to the place is a very serene one and you can also admire the Brahmaputra river.
* On the second day, the best place to start your tour is to visit the Assam state museum which is up the valley. It is always advisable you stop to get some snacks with chai.
In the morning, a visit to Dighalipukhuri is a necessity as you don’t want to miss out on the serene feeling it offers. Pick a ride to the Fancy market and shop at various stores. You can even buy different types of gift items at the Fancy market. On your way back to the hotel where you are staying, visit any of the exquisite restaurants like Paradise restaurant to get a quick bite.
* On the third day, catch an early morning bus to Shrimanta Shankardeva Kalakshetra to bask in the rich cultural heritage of Assam. You should also tour the Ugratara Temple and the Bura Jame Masjid to have a religious feel. A very good way to end the day’s activities is to spend the night in Tera Mayaa on GS road.
In your planned activities, do well to add some sporting events as you wouldn’t want to miss out on them.