Overview
About Khasi Heritage Village
Khasi Heritage Village sits at Mawphlang in East Khasi Hills, across the road from the Mawphlang Sacred Forest. It was set up by the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) to preserve Khasi building traditions and customs. The site is divided into plots, each with a traditional structure built from stone, wood and bamboo by local craftsmen, alongside an open-air amphitheatre. A visit gives a close look at how Khasi homes were laid out and built, the kind of detail that is hard to see elsewhere as villages modernise. The amphitheatre is the venue for the Monolith Festival, a celebration of Khasi music, dance, food and crafts that returned in 2024 after an eight-year gap. Most people pair it with the Sacred Forest opposite, one of Meghalaya's best-known community-protected groves (law kyntang), which can be entered only with a local guide. Mawphlang itself has old stone monoliths and is the starting point of the David Scott Trail. Upkeep of the heritage village has been uneven in recent years, and KHADC has sought outside operators to run it, so facilities may differ from older descriptions.
On the day
What to expect at Khasi Heritage Village
Houses: Traditional Khasi dwellings of stone, wood and bamboo that you can walk around and, in some cases, look inside. Amphitheatre: A large open-air stage used for the Monolith Festival and other cultural events. Sacred Forest: The Mawphlang Sacred Grove is directly opposite; entry is guided, and nothing may be taken out of the forest. Facilities: Limited. Food options are mostly outside the complex, and visitors have reported steep parking charges. Wear comfortable shoes for uneven ground, and carry water and a light jacket.
Before you go
Visitor Information
Best Time to Visit
October to April; weekday mornings
Post-monsoon (Oct–Nov) and winter (Dec–Feb) bring clear, dry days and are the most comfortable time, though winter mornings are cold. Spring (Mar–May) is pleasant with occasional showers. In the monsoon (Jun–Sep) the open site gets muddy and rain can cut the visit short, but the surrounding hills are at their greenest. Weekday mornings are quieter. Check dates if you want to catch the Monolith Festival, or avoid them if you prefer a quiet visit.
Getting There
Mawphlang is about 25 km southwest of Shillong on the Shillong–Mawphlang road, roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour by car depending on traffic.
Mawphlang is about 25 km southwest of Shillong on the Shillong–Mawphlang road, roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour by car depending on traffic. The heritage village is on the roadside opposite the Mawphlang Sacred Forest entrance, so there is no trek involved, only a short walk around the site. Shared sumos to Mawphlang leave from Bara Bazar in Shillong but thin out later in the day. A private cab from Shillong can be booked with Tour Meghalaya, and Mawphlang is easy to combine with the Sacred Forest or a drive on toward Mawsynram.
Entry & Duration
Allow about 1 hour for the heritage village, or 2–3 hours if you add a guided walk in the Mawphlang Sacred Forest.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Khasi Heritage Village distance from Shillong
It is at Mawphlang, about 25 km from Shillong, roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour by road.
Where is the Khasi Heritage Village in Mawphlang?
It is directly across the road from the Mawphlang Sacred Forest, so the two are usually visited together.
What is the Monolith Festival?
It is a festival of Khasi music, dance, food and crafts held at the heritage village amphitheatre. It returned in 2024 after an eight-year gap; dates vary, so check announcements.
Is there an entry fee for Khasi Heritage Village?
Visitors have reported a small entry fee and separate parking charges, but no recent official rate is published. Check at the gate.
Can you visit Mawphlang Sacred Forest and the Heritage Village on the same day?
Yes. They face each other across the road, and both fit comfortably into a half-day trip from Shillong.
