Guwahati

Guwahati, also Gauhati, is the largest city in the state of Assam, Northeast India. Dispur, the state's capital, is in the circuit city region. Today, Guwahati is one of the fastest growing cities of India and is the second-largest metropolis in eastern India after Kolkata.

Understand

Excavations trace the origins of the city to around the 4th century and it was the capital of Assam until the 10th century. The rapidly-growing metropolis has a population of more than 1.8 million and encompasses an area of over 360 km², making it the largest city in the state and the region. It is the main center for shopping, retail and business; attracting people from all over the north east as well as from Eastern Bhutan. The slow, meandering Brahmaputra River is a focal point of the downtown while the lush hills of the Shillong Plateau provide a verdant backdrop for the suburbs. The pleasant environment, however, is somewhat tempered by the inadequate investment in the region, which is apparent from the low quality of roads. Still, despite the average infrastructure, private investors have been drawn to the city in recent years and there has been something of a boom in the construction of shopping malls and high quality condominiums, which has helped raise the economic profile of the city. The end of decades-long insurgency in Assam has also helped in the economic boom of Guwahati.

Climate

Guwahati's climate is subtropical. Summers last here from April to May, monsoons from June to September and winters from October to March. Temperatures here approximately range between 19°C and 26°C. 161.3 cm is the average yearly precipitation level here. Humidity is more than 80/90% often.

Get in

By plane

• 🌍 Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU  ^IATA also known as Guwāhāti International Airport and used to be known as Borjhar Airport). A major hub for flights to North-East India and limited international destinations. The hill resort cities of Shillong and Tura are connected by regular scheduled helicopter services run by Pawan Hans. Shillong (30 min), Tura (50 min), Naharlagun (Itanagar), Tawang (75 min).  

Airlines	Destinations
Air India	Bagdogra, Delhi, Imphal, Kolkata
Air India Regional	Agartala, Aizawl, Delhi, Dibrugarh, Dimapur, Imphal, Jorhat, Kolkata, Lilabari, Silchar, Tezpur
Druk Air	Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Paro, Singapore
GoAir	Bagdogra, Bangalore, Delhi
IndiGo	Chennai, Delhi, Imphal, Jaipur, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru
JetLite	Agartala, Bangalore, Delhi, Dibrugarh, Goa, Imphal, Jorhat, Kolkata, Mumbai
Pawan Hans	Itanagar, Naharlagun, Shillong, Tawang, Tura
SpiceJet	Agartala, Ahmedabad, Bagdogra, Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai
Vistara	Delhi, Bagdogra, Kolkata, Goa, Banagalore

By train

Guwahati is connected by train with major cities like Kolkata, New Delhi, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Hyderabad, Chandigarh and Mumbai. Reservation office is 30 m north of the station, and at #3 window you can book a foreign tourist quota on trains originating from Northeast Frontier railways network.

By car

By road - NH-31, NH-37 and NH-40 pass through Guwahati. It is a 3-hour drive to the Bhutanese border town of Samdrup Jongkhar.

By bus

It is connected to all major cities of North East India by bus. There are overnight bus services for Dibrugarh, Kohima, Imphal, Itanagar, Siliguri.

By boat

Luxurious vessels with A/C upper deck connect Guwahati to Dibrugarh, passing through Kaziranga & Tezpur.

Get around

By bus

Bus is the cheapest way of travelling around the city. Guwahati is well connected to most of its city area with local service buses, with air conditioned bus service having recently begun between the airport and the city.

By auto

Compared to other cities in India, autos charge a hefty price for the ride. There is no meter system used by the autos, the auto driver will simply refuse to drive you if you insist on the meter - the best you can do is negotiate in advance (check with a local on what it should cost you). Small distance charges are high.

By motorbike

River crossing

If you can not go on the river cruise, at least cross the river on the ferry. Ferries provide transport to the local people - they leave the jetty at Fancy bazar every half an hour and the round trip will take around 45 minutes. Tickets are ₹10, 1 way. It is a simple way to enjoy the scenic beauty of the Brahmaputra river.

See

• 🌍 Assam State Museum (southern end of Dighalipukhuri tank.). The museum is closed on Mondays. 
• 🌍 Assam State Zoo And Botanical Gardens, Zoo Road, Japorigog (on RGB Road also known as Zoo Road.), ☎ [phone], [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Saturday-Thursday, 8:00 - 16:30. Adults ₹30 for Indians, ₹100 for foreigners; children 5-12: ₹10 for Indians, ₹30 for foreigners; all children under 5 free; ₹50 for car parking. There are also fees for photography; see tariffs page for more details. 

A Schematic Map of the city of Guwahati showing important roads and places of interest

• 🌍 Bhubaneswari Temple (Bhubaneswari Mandir). 
• 🌍 Digholi Pukhuri. Dighalipukhuri derived its name from the word 'dighal' which means long. The lake is believed to be dug by Bhagadutta, the king of Pragjyotishpura. It is also mentioned in the Mahabharata,the great Indian epic. Dighalipukhuri is a prominent tourist attraction in the heart of Guwahati with boating facilities and recreational activities. It is an old rectangular lake of half a mile long originally engraved out from the Brahmaputra. Later, it was separated from the river when a portion was filled up. There are some nearby restaurants where one can have lunch or dinner. 
• 🌍 Guwahati Planetarium, Uzan Bazar. A great place to visit for science geeks and also for lover of entertainments. 
• 🌍 Indian Institute of Technology. It is around 20 km from the heart of the city and around 35 min drive from the airport. 
• 🌍 Janardana Temple, Shukaleswar Hill. 

Kamakhya Temple.

• 🌍 Kamakhya Temple (Kamrup-Kamakhya), Nilachal Hill. Atop the Neelachal hill, the highest spot in the city draws pilgrims from all over India especially during the Ambubachi festival. A high seat of the shakti sect, one of the 54 Shakti Peethas of the Tantric cult, it is associated with the legend of the mother goddess who slayed the legendary demon king Narakasur who ruled ancient Assam. The Goddess Kamakhya is made of eight metal alloys, and seated on a throne with five jewels. To reach her statue pilgrims have to go down a dimly lit flight of steps. Further within the cave shrine is the well and yoni mandala clearly indicating worship began with the spring and cave long before the temple was built. Goddess is also worshiped in the aspects of Durga, Kali, Tara, Kamala, Uma, Chamunda, and Shakti. The temple dates to the 17th century and follows the Assamese style in its design. 
• 🌍 Navagraha Temple (Navagraha Mandir), Chitrasal Hill. An 18th-century temple dedicated to nine celestial bodies is atop the second highest hill in Guwahati. 
• 🌍 Pandu Port. A river port on the south bank of Brahmaputra in West Guwahati was the entrepot to Guwaahati before construction of the Saraighat bridge in the early 1960s. 
• 🌍 Regional Science Centre and Museum, Khanapara. 
• 🌍 Shankardev Kalashetra (Srimanta Sankaradeva Kalakshetra), Panjabari Rd. 
• 🌍 Ugro Tara Temple, Lotaxil. A temple dedicated to the deity Tara. The goddess in the sanctum sanctorum is not an idol but a pit of water. 
• 🌍 Uma Nanda Temple. A 17th-century temple on a river island of the same name is dedicated to Shiva. It was built by Ahom king Gadapani on this picturesque Brahmaputra isle, also called Peacock island. You can hop into a shared ferry/motorboat for ₹10 and return on the same or another boat free of charge, or reserve the entire boat for yourself. All shuttle boats leave from the KachariGhat between the Deputy Commisioner's office and the lower courts. The island is also a sanctuary for an endangered population of golden langurs which you can see from very close quarters. They have thrived on this uninhabited island chosen for their translocation from their last refuge in the Manas National Park. The island also has a Ganesh temple and is small enough to be explored on foot. 
• 🌍 Nehru Park, Cotton College Road, Pan Bazar Road, Pan Bazaar, ☎ [phone]. F–W: 10AM–8PM. This is an outdoor park opposite Guwahati Cotton College in the area of Pan Bazaar. This beautiful park is great to visit with your spouse or partner. Sitting arrangements are nice and organised. There is a child park inside the main area where children can have a lot of fun and activity. Adult ₹10, child ₹5. (updated Nov 2017)

Do

Accoland Amusement park

• Accoland. Airport Rd. Amusement park. 
• North Guwahati- Guwahati Ropeway, M. G. Road, Panbazar.

Buy

• Handicrafts, of the north east and Assam are available in many shops in the city.
• Handlooms & Handicrafts, the Assam Silk & Golden SIlk "Muga" is world famous. You will be fascinated to see the designs and colours of the local dress called "Mekhela - Chadar".
• Hidesign, Digholi Pukhuri East (Near High Court), ☎ [phone]. One of the largest stand alone leather goods stores in India with a wide range bags and accessories for men, women and travel. 
• Malls. The city boasts several shopping malls. These are the major ones: Sohum Emporia, Sohum Shoppe, Guwahati Central, Central Mall, FBB, The Hub Mall, Vishal MegaMart, Big Bazaar, Pantaloons.
• Tea Bags, of the north east and Assam are available in many shops in the city. Assams Green tea is world famous.

Eat

If you have just exited the airport or have to wait sometime before boarding your flight, then you can head to the Airport Restaurant right opposite to the domestic terminal for some reasonably priced food.

Budget

There are many good dhabas on the main roads, highways and at the outskirts of the city.

• City Dhaba, Bora Service, Ulubari. 
• Dispur Dhaba, Ganeshguri. 
• Get Tagged, Zoo Road, ☎ [phone]. 
• Hotel Shyama, AK Azad Road, Rehabari. 
• JBs, G S Rd, Christian Basti. Good bakery with sweets. 
• JBs, M G Rd, Riverside. 
• Momo Ghar, Bharalumukh, ☎ [phone]. Chinese 
• Shaikh Brothers, Shaikh Building, 195 Hem Baruah Road,Panbazar (opp. United Bank), ☎ [phone]. Century old bakery. Well known throughout entire North East India for its delicious pastries, cakes, bread and cookies. Established by Golam Ibrahim in 1885, Shaikh Brothers is the oldest and largest bakery shop in North East India. It is managed by its fourth generation partners namely Shaikh Sakhawat Hossain, Shaikh Azizul Hossain, Shaikh Khoda Nawaz and others. It is renowned for its tasty birthday and Christmas cakes. In 2015 it completed its 130th year of service. It is locally known as "the Heritage Bakery Of Assam". 

Mid-range

• Bon Jaluk, Ganeshguri, ☎ [phone]. Famous Assamese thalis. 
• Gam's Delicacy Restaurant, Ganeshguri, ☎ [phone]. Famous for ethnic Assamese cuisine. 
• Gopal Maharaj, Kamrup Chamber Rd, Fancy Bazar, ☎ [phone]. 
• Heritage Khorikaa, Silpukhuri, Chandmari, ☎ [phone]. Famous for delicious ethnic Assamese cuisine. 
• Khorikaa, Bora Service, Ulubari, ☎ [phone]. Assamese restaurant with delicious thalis. 
• Maach, Christian Basti., ☎ [phone]. Famous for various fishes. 
• Makhan Bhog, Ulubari. 
• Mast Biryani, Zoo Road. Biryani restaurant. 
• Nashraj Restaurant, S.S. Rd, Fancy Bazaar (inside Hotel Nova), ☎ [phone]. This restaurant is popular with locals and foreigners, and serves tasty Indian, Chinese and selected Continental cuisine. 

Splurge

• Barbeque Nation, Ulubari, ☎ [phone]. 
• Mocha, Christian basti (near the fly over), ☎ [phone]. Italian restaurant 
• Tandoor @ Hotel Dynasty, SS Road, Fancy Bazar, ☎ [phone]. 

Drink

Bahor Sungar Doi

Guwahati is said to have the most wine shops.

Pub, disco, and bar

• Cafe Copa, GS Rd. 
• Club Ozone, GS Rd. 
• Ivory, Ulubari flyover (below Hotel Amrit Regency). Bar/pub. 
• The Lounge Bar, Christian Basti. 
• Mazbaan, Ganeshguri. Bar, disco, DJ Ronnie 
• Q'Ba, Ulubari. Disco 
• Silver Streak, Hotel Bramhaputra Ashok. 
• Terra Mayaa, Anil Plaza-2. 
• Topaz, Ulubari. 
• Urban Mantra, Sixmile. 
• XS, GS Rd. 

Sleep

Budget

There are many budget hotels around the station but only a few are licensed to accommodate foreigners.

• Brahmputra, Panjbari, Sixmile (Near Kalakshetra). Small family hotel. Clean rooms, simple food, nothing fancy but economical. 
• Hotel Biswanath, M.E. Road, Paltan Bazar (south of the station), ☎ [phone]. Not a great value, but one of a few budget hotels licensed to take foreigners. ₹500 single. (updated May 2015)
• Hotel Brindavan, Paltan Bazar, M E Rd (3 min walking distance from Rly Station), ☎ [phone]. Check-out: noon. ₹400/- to ₹3,500/-. 
• Hotel Suradevi, M.L.N Rd (Pan Bazaar), ☎ [phone]. Slightly out of the action, but a decent budget choice with a restaurant. ₹400 single w/private bath. 
• Prashaanti Tourist Lodge, Station Road, Kamakhya, Navagraha, ☎ [phone], [phone], [phone]. The lodges are operated by Department of Tourism and Assam Tourism Development Corporation Limited. (updated Aug 2016)

Mid-range

• Hotel Mahalaxmi, G.S. Rd, e-mail: [e-mail]. ₹850-₹1,850. 
• Hotel Nova, S.S. Rd (Fancy Bazaar), ☎ [phone]. A decent mid-range choice, it is centrally located, reasonably clean and friendly, and has a good restaurant on site. Hot running water, TV with satellite connection, same-day laundry available. ₹750-₹1,500, A/C rooms ₹1,350-₹1,850. 
• Hotel Rialto (nearby Pan Bazer). ₹1,000-₹1,800. 

Splurge

• Hotel Brahmaputra Ashok, M.G.Road, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. It is a luxury hotel near the bank of mighty Brahmaputra river having all the modern facilities. Rooms ₹4499-₹6999, Suites ₹12,000-₹15,000. 
• Hotel Dynasty, S.S. Rd (Lakhtokia), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Centrally located, warm and comfortable, and the staff are friendly. Tandoor is one of the two in-house restaurants, and a good place to splurge on food in the city, with live music in the evenings. Rooms ₹3400-₹5000, Suites ₹8000-₹15,000. 
• Hotel Nakshatra, Beltola, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Luxurious hotel with comfort and modern facilities. Rooms ₹3000-₹4600, Suites ₹7000-₹12,000. 
• Radisson Blu Hotel, National Highway 37, Gotanagar, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. On NH37 12 km from the railway station and 15 km from Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport. 
• Taj Vivanta, Khanapara. (updated Apr 2018)

Connect

Go next

Shillong is an old hill station established by British and stepping point to Cherrapunji and further south. Meghalaya state transport provides several buses departing in the morning and also regular shared 7-passenger jeep service for ₹170 (more comfortable than usual 10-pax Sumo) from the bus terminal south of the train station.

• Balaji Temple - Balaji temple is on the National Highway By-pass easily reached by taking the National Highway from the city head towards Maligaon/Adabari and beyond till you reach the Jalukbari junction. It takes about 20 min from the junction to the temple. It is supposed to be a replica of the temple in Tirupati - the temple provides a nice place for solitary meditation, being in a peaceful setting.
• Deepor Beel - A wetland and a very picturesque picnic spot. A bird-watchers paradise, especially in winter when the migratory birds come down. Access is from the National Highway, Gorchuk Ali.
• Hajo - Hajo is an interesting place to visit near Guwahati. The place has religious significance for Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists. It takes about an hour and half from the city center to reach Hajo by own transport (buses are there from Adabari bus stand). Interesting places to visit are the Hayagrib Madhab temple and Pua Mecca. While at the temple, make sure to go down to the temple pond to see the resident turtle.

The road to the Kamakhya Temple

• Kamakhya Temple - A famous Hindu Temple and Pilgrimage. Attracts visitors and devotees from all around the world and country. A 25-30 minutes drive from the heart of the City.
• Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary - Wildlife reserve about 50 km from Guwahati. Sort of a miniature Kaziranga, home to one-horned rhinos, buffalo, and other animals, which you can see from a jeep. Elephant rides are also available at certain times of day.
• Resorts on Sonapur Road - The Sonapur Road (Guwahati-Nagaon Road, NH 37) has many dhabas that are within 10-15 km of the city outskirts (Khanapara). These resorts provide a good weekend break. Brahmaputra resort,Disang Dhaba in Tepesia are good for family outings.